The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-10
SUNDAY. JULY 10. 1898


The state Board of Education mas
most difficult question 10 decide IN Sc
,o..,,rg the hooks TO be used in the puohc
schools Of Virginia. There are two queS-
,ions 20 be considered. The Board must
first address itself to the merit question,
,bat is II must select such books as shah
re-. nromote the cause Of education
such books as are best adapted 10 'he
needs OF the public schools OF virginia
There are text books ana text OooAs'
as there are teachers and teachers. IL is
no. enough that a book shall contain the
exact fact which the author would I'M
nress. The fact must be stated in such
a way as that the student shan compre-
bend II clearly. Moreover the element
of attractiveness is TO be considered lot
that Is a matter of supreme Importance.
The prosy book makes a bright pupil dun
whereas a bright attractive book must
enlist the attention of the dullcst pupil.
There has been great Improvement IN
text books within the past quarter OF
century and those Of us who were
taught IL the old blue back spelling book
and books OF that kind, whose very APP
pearance was repulsiye to children, can
no, but feel sense of regret that we
were not permitted to get our early in
struotion from the pretty and entertain
ing text books Of the day. There are
books for small children on animal Ire,
on familiar science, and kindred topics,
urnr
be beyond the grasp Of the chuld. as en-
pertaining as a Christmas story and so
simple that the child has no difficulty in
compreheading them.
The children of Virginia should have
the very best books that can be purchas-
ed. and that IS the question OF prime
consideration. But there is also com
mercial question which SIS to be considerea
seriously, though in one sense though 4
matter OF secondary Importance. Hithef-
10 our books have been purchased in the
main from concerns at the North Out
now we have a publishing house IN VIZ
einia in competition with the Northern
nlblishers. and The Times is assured
that the books which they OFFER are OF
fered absolutely on their merit as being
equal TO any on the market. We have
mt examined these books with care ana
we must take the Virginia publishers at
their word without venturing any opinion
of our own as to the relative merit OF
the several series Of books in compet-
ton. But we are very clear that If the
f,.fa ma. 1aI.n on %
are as good as the best, If they are tho
roughly up to date. then, as between the
home company and the foreign compa-
MES. there should be no question as to
preference.
We OF Virginia have great pride Of an
eestry. and we think that Nirginians
are Just little better than other people.
but, strange as 81 may seem, we have not
the same high regard for Virginia pro-
ducts. We have got into our beads that
an article with q foreign stamp On II is
better than the article that is stamped
with our "sic semper.' And so we nave
fallen into the habit OF sending TO the
North for our manufactured products.
some people think that nothing in a Nir-
e1nia store is good enough for them, but
they must aeld TO New York If they
would get the correct thing. We have
also been told by Virginia manufacturers
that they could always do better bus
mess outside OF the State than within
our own borders That sort Of thing has
been most hurtful TO Virginia industries
our goods must have honor in their OWL
country in order 10 make them as popu'
lar as they should be elsewhere. We can
not hope to build UP our Industries by
discredlting them Confidence incur
selves and in our products will so lone
way towards making success.
1t IS big contract to furnish the pub
lie schools OF Virginia with text books
and a publishing house In Virginia with
such "A contract would give employment
90 large number Of people and save t
she state a great deal OF money that IA.
been going away. But more than that
II We will show our confidence in sucf
an industry at home there Is no doub,
that patronage from other States, partl
culariy thSssouthern States VIII follow.
II Is quite clear nom this that th'
commercial question Is worthy OF th'
most serious attention, and We believe
that the Board OF Education will give 4