Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-02-18
For Free Text Books.

L have carefully read Mr.. Branson's
article against free text books, and, since
he seems to have expressed his honest
opinion upon the subject. can not but
entertain the same feeling of respect for
him as he expressed for me. Being con-
tident that he is mistaken on few vital
points, hope he will not consider any
thing may say in opposition to his ar
ticle in any other light than an honest
friendly criticism with no spirit on my
part to antagonize.
He expresses the belief that "the
question should be discussed by the peo-
pie directly affected by the exchange"
Iipay about as much tax as the average
farmer and furnish as many books to
children of INDECENT parents than per-
haps any other man in the county, be-
sides am hindered in various ways in
the prosecution of my school work by
want of books, so that | am directly
affected by the exchange" and have Il
right to discussion the question.
He calls educators theorists and
wishes to stigmatize theorists. Assum-
ing that we are theorists, there is not so
great dishonor i'll that name as he wishes
to make it to be. All the great inven-
tions, all the great discoveries, all the
great movements towards better civil
zation had their beginning in theory.
Even the methods of the successful corn
raiser was once theory.
Although / had nothing to do with
advocating the election OF sub director
for term Of three years, yet firmly
believe that il would have been found
better than the present law if thorough
trial had been made of the plan.
He says, 81 believe that the question
at hand is out theory, having it's
origin among the educators" All the
progress in our school system and great
educational movements had their origin
among the educators who make study
of these questions and have right to
agitate them; just as all the progress in
farming and farm questions had their
their origin among farmers who have
made farming a study and hence have a
right to agitate farm interests. Rut as
to the book question being theory, L
wish to dispel that idea from Mr.. Bran
sons mind. The system is in operation
in twenty states besides in many
countries in Europe, and in no state is it
regarded but with the highest favor.
In ten of these states the law is optional
as in our state, while in the others the
law is obligatory. Besides in certain
localities of some states boards are fur
nishing books to the schools with no
legal authority. 1t was theory at one
time but actual experience makes it no
longer 80.
Hon. Frank Hall, secretary OF the
state board of education OF Massachu
sets says in his report OF 1893: ut is
now ten years since the free text book
law went into full effect. The law has
relieved many families of what often
proved hardship. There has been no
complaint of the law by tax payers; it
has been deemed to be consistent with
the free school system"
The comparison made between the
growth in efficiency of the schools and
the increase of crime. vice, Incidence.
ETC.. is not just and may do for an argu-
ment to convince the unthinking class
The schools are not cure for all ills and
the conditions mentioned must be laid
at other doors besides the door of the
schools. We are willing to shoulder a
part of the responsibility but it must
not be forgotten that a large portion OF
those classes either never have seen the
inside of school room or have attended