The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-04

be consistent with the best results. If the
same text books were used in
the country that are now used
in the city schools the same degree of
success would not follow the conduct of
the former, for the conditions are alto
gether different.
In the same way the use in the city of
the books now used in the country would
tend to render abortive the entire system
of education
The country schools have terms of five
months, while those of the city have nine
or ten. This, together with the consider
alton of the grades found in the city, but
not in the country schools, Mr.. Ashmore
says, should be enough to convince one of
the error of the measure.
Another objection is that those who
might be selected to choose the books
would not be capable of doing so, as the
choice of such text books, as would be
most satisfactory from their teaching is
an extremely difficult matter. A commit
tee appointed by the legislature for this
purpose might not be sufficiently informed
as to the primary and higher requirements
of the schools, and its selection would then
be very unfit for use in the schools
Mr.. Ashmore even questions
the wisdom that might be displayed by
the state school board in making the
choice, as practical educators upon It are
In the minority.
The principal reason advanced for tho
adoption of the system Of uniformity IL
its prevention of frequent changes. This
In Itself, is questionable in its good results
for change and progress are synonymous
Mr.. Ashmore says: IF this system Of uni
formity be adopted 1t will mean a block
upon progress during the long period OF
years it will be in effect No feature is
more marked In educational progress than
the improvements that are constantly be-
ing made In modern text books. These are
valuable and should receive notice, rather
than be cast aside as impossible to be
used merely on account OF a nefarious law
that preserihes the use OF inferior books
parent that would for the sake of a
few cents deprive his child Il
the modern improvements in text
books, would be doing him an incalculab bic
injury. The popular cry OF the cost OF
school books Is entirely too loud This
cost Is very much less tnan people imag-
Inc u TO be, II any parent will SIT down
and honestly compute the cost OF text
books for his children, he will find the to-
tai amount expended for the entire school
course 20 be comparatively small Some
men spend more money for tobacco and
whisky In one week than for the books
for their children for an entire wear
Parents are responsible for the educa lion
Of their children, and should not object 70
the small expense OF furnishing them with
text books"
Mr.. Ashmore said that the adoption OF
uniformity would call for the dlsoardlng
OF about four-hfths OF the text books az
ready In use. and this I'm Itself would
prove considerable loss 20 say nothing
OF the confusion which would result m
the courses Of study. He thinks that so
many good text books, suited some 10 the
needs OF country and others TO the needs
or city schools. are now TO be had that IT.
tie is risked IN leaving their selections 10
the local boards, as Is now done. This Ia
particularly true In cities. he says, where
the boards are usually comprised OF men
OF q high degree OF Intelligence. ana that
while this may possibly be less true OF
some Of the rural districts, no great mis-.
takes should be made I'm the country
schools n ordinary care Is taken In maxi
ing selections.
II r. also the plan to have tho state pub
lish is own text books. AIR Ashmore be
lieves that the cost OF this would prove
far IN excess Of what is anticipated. The
Copyrights arr expensive and 80 would
Be the plant that would have 10 be pur-
chased Tor the work. lie says the plan
has been tried In other states. notably
California. and found to be lmpractlcable.