The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-10-21
NEWSPAPERS AS TEXT BOOKS.
From the Washington Post.

From the Washington Post.
The superintendent Of the Kansas City
schools has introduced newspapers as
text books. 1t is not altogether new
idea, because here in Washington many
of the school teachers invite their pupils
TO discuss the topics of the day, as gath
cred from the press, aud the result has
been most satisfa actory. The experiment
in the Kansas City schools will also be
a success, we believe. because that en-
terprising town possesses like Washing
ton, a ewspaper press that is not mere
~ local in its nature, but whose news
and editorial columns are filled with legit-
innate and instructive matter.
o
1t may be said that newspapers do not
always print every detail of the truth
and that sometimes they are guilty of Ab~
solute mendacity. So it may be said of
histories, that they are not always a cor
rect or an unpreiudiced record of the pc
riods and events which they profess to
chronicle. AS to bald and malicious men
dacity in newspapers, it can be said that
Its rare occurrence only proves the RUE
of general fidelity to truth. The really
successful newspaper of today cannot
survive unless 1t Is, as near as careful
editing and faithful reporting can make
it, an actual record of daily events. A
ture, and it can no more succeed by daily
fraud upon the public than a grocer can
build up remit nerative trade by dealing
in adulterated goods. 1t is the pride of
every paper of any standing whatever
that its assertions can be relied upon.
The editor who deliberately misrepre-
sents is nowadays the exception. Even
If he were not influenced by the higher
principles of morality he would soon find
,ir to-,
decreasing If he held not to the principle
that truth-telling is the best policy.
o
We make history rapidly in these times.
The world is inter!ocked by the telegraph
wire and the cable, and the fall of the
Spanish cabinet is known in Washington
almost at the same moment that it is
announced in Madrid. The latest discov-
cry OF science, the last important legal
opinion, the spoken thought of statesmen,
the tragedy that thrills or the comedy
that amuses-a,l these are daily presented
in the newspaper. If the growing child
wants to keep pace with the advancing
world he must kTO TOw what the newspaper
is printing, and who is better qualified to
explain for him the trend of events than
his teacher? Under wise instruction he
Will learn the significance of England S
latest coup, the cause and progress of un-
fortunate war; the purpose and intent of
national legislation. His mind will be-
come broadened. His horizon will no
longer be restricted to the four walls of
his schoolroom or the boundaries of his
own city. The world will lie before him
and Egypt will be as near as his next
door neighbor.
TO-
Nor will this introduction of newspapers
into the schools be without it's good infiu-
ence upon the press. The knowledge that
his work is to be accepted as a great fac
tor in the education of the young will in
spire the editor to greater carefu.ness
both in the character of the printed news
and the expression of editorial opinion. 1t
will not be long before the newspaper in
the schools will he a universal fact.