The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1896-02-05
SCHOOL BOOKS AGAIN.

HOW THE PEOPLE ARE PLUNDERED
Editor Representative the Rep
resentative and some members of its es-
teemed family have recently given my
views on the school book problem, such
complimentary recognition, l feel con-
strained both by courtesy and duty, to
offer. something further. Personally,
appreciate the kindly endorsement OF the
editor and friend Fleckten; and now that
the ablest, most earnest and most pa
triotic element of our people have
buckled on the armor for educational re-
form, feel much encouragement for the
cause.
Mr. Fleckten's plan for state publica-
ton of school books suits me very well,
though think that the commission hav-
ing charge of the same should consist OF
more than seven members. Small COM
missions on such work are not always
satisfactory Witness the work Of that
little commission of big men entrusted
with the administration Of the late Mer-
rill contract.
Perhaps the strongest argument IN ia
vor Of state books IL that it would enable
the people to dictate the character of the
lIidJICV III Iu6 UOVh0 AO 0VCA o5O 0NAOOA
history is disgrace to our country; the
grammars and arithmetics are too much
given to the mechanical application Of
rules without sufficient analysis and ex-
PLANTATION of their origins; the readers are
too plethoric with fictitious nonsense to
the exclusion Of necessary definitions,
evolutionary drills and choice literary
and patriotic selections such as charac-
terized the old McGuffy series, etc.; the
average copy books are productive of bad
habits and false motions Of penmanship;
the three books in physiology should be
supplanted by one brief, comprehensive
text. The average school chart is also
a humbug of the rankest kind. They
cost $25 or more and with properly Illus
trated books, ample blackboard surface
and an intelligent, energetic teacher,
they are about as valuable as the ira
ditional fifth wheel to a wagon" So
is primary arithmetic. And last named
but most important, is the spelling book,
which is not but should be similar to
Sanders New Speller, Definer and An
alyzer," the largest small book l ever
saw.
But good books and cheap are not the
universal panacea for educational de-
fects. We must divorce the common
schools from all connection with the high
schools and the university. Rural young
sters today have too little respect for
Their home school. They are constantly
pining to get away to some so-called
higher institution. This is caused by the
influence of the university and normals
on our school system and upon teachers.
Space in the Forum being valuable,
shall leave the reader to make his own
application to this, though I could discuss
it in detail if necessary. The remedy
rests with the people and they are awak-
ening. The tr:cksters hope to further
enslave the country schools by legisla-
ton, Offering the districts appropriations
out of their own (the people's) pockets,
if they will n turn consent to the adop
ton of a cast iron course Of study and
graduation, to be formulated by some
body who is owned body, boots and
breeches, by the universities and the nor
mails. That resolution adopted by the
state alliance would make excellent
ground work for a woodchuck bill of that
kind in the next legislature. BY this, do
not understand that I impugn the mo-
t:ves of the noble patriots ON that COM
mittee, but take the liberty of suggest
ing the necessity for vigilance lest the
enemy outwit them. ''The poor mans
college must be independent, and any
proposition to the contrary, no matter
how plausible. cometh Of evil. Yours
Respectfully,
w. E. Cummings.
Forestville, Mimi, Jan. "a, 1896.