Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-17
SCHOOL HISTORIES.
A Statement from the American
Book Company.

dSIiHBtOu square, ~, -
October l3, 1887.
To the Editor of the Dispatch;
AS publishers Of one OF the school histo-
ries OF the United States used in the
Virginia public schools. we have a natu-
raj interest in the discussions of the his
tory question now current in your State.
We have read with some care your edi-
torials bearing on the subject, and mas
much as you have devoted considerable
space to its discussion. in a manner
which seemed to invite q reply from US,
we believe you will be willing TO publish
the following statement.
When the adoption OF school-books was
last under consideration by the State
Board of Education of Virginia. careful
attention was given to securing an eX-
preston OF opinion from all of the county
superintendent OF the State as 10 which
books then in use were satisfactory;
what. II any. were unsatisfactory, ana
whether having in mind all the condi-
tons Of the case, the books then in use
should be readopted. or whether any OF
them should be changed. Practically a
unanimous expression u opiEion upon
the subject Of Barness Brief History OF
and readoption by the State Board, and
the State Board accordingly adopted 1t,
together with another history by a Nir-
ginia author contracting, in the name or
the State, for the use of these books for
the legal period of four years. Some time
later representations were made to us,
as publishers of the Barnes book, that
while II was satisfactory in me-
thod. style. education, and teach
ing qualities, its treatment of the
civil war was not in all respects satisfac-
tory to some of our Virginia patrons.
When this Tact was brought 20 our at
tention we voluntarily waived the rights
granted US by our contract with he state
Board of Education, and consented TO the
addition Of two other histories OK the
United States, both written by southern
authors, and these books were placed on
the Slate list, thus making four au-
tnorized school hstories-three by south
EN- authors and one by northern au-
thor. From these four the school authori-
ties In the several counties were, ana are,
Zee To select whichever book. in their
judgment, Il best adapted TO the schools
under their charge. Our action IN the
premises was based upon the expectation
and belief that the course followed would
approve itself 10 the Judgment OF all
those interested in the schools OF Nir-
ginia, and that we should make II clear
that We had no wish 10 insist upon or
urge the use Of one of our books that
was not thought by any legally consu-
tu:ed school officials TO be thoroughly
acceptable and adapted to the use for
which it was adopted.
But il now seems that there is de-
mdnd in some quarters for some further
action upon the history situation. and OBJ
lection has been made 10 the retention.
even. of Barness History in the schools.
1t is clearly not improper for us to
point out to your readers and TO the
citizens OF Virginia generally that under
existing contracts no school is compelled
to use Barness History unless the local
school authorities prefer it to the three
other books now on the list; and we wish
to add still further that If other addi-
tons to the authorized histories are deem
ed necessary by those havinJ the inte-
rests of the Virginia schools at heart.
we shall interpose no objection whatso-
ever to the further extension of the list
Verv respectfully,
AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY.