The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-16

Political COnsideratiOns-lt rs an easy
transaction from the foregoing Inc OF
thought to a consideration OF the inpor-
tant bearing which the subject uhoer
discussion has upon the presnt and fu-
ture fortunes OF the Democratic party
In this commonwealth.
The public free school system ana al
that effects its welfare should De an oo-
feet high above the arena OF mere paru-
san politics. and yet as Administrators
and policies this state and country are
made and unmade by the triumph OF uo-
feat of political parties. so the tof'uliaeeS
of a party can be maintained by scruPu-
lous regard for the rights OF the people
and the conservation OF institutions N
which they feel the profoundest interest
In Virginia. such IS our political cohui'
tion that the present prosperity OF OUT
free school system Is largely Dependent
upon the continued supremacy or INC
Democratic party, and the success OF
that party may be easily jeopardlzed py
any mistake on the part OF its accredited
representatives in dealing with this I'M
portant subject.
The Democratic party OF Virginia,
which has for years taught the great
principle Of local self-government, or
conhdIng 10 the citizen n voice In al
that affects his welfare OF low taxes and
the blessings OF education 20 the Ignorant
in advocacy OF the position that the text
books I'm use In the public schools, OF
which thousands and tens OF thousands
are in the hands OF the people, were 10
be changed without giving the local re-
representatives. voice I'm determining the
question and yet imposing upon the peo-
pie the extra cost necessiated by ire
change.
As will be seen by the petitions pre-
nd
be ascertained by a five minutes inter-
view with the people on any court green
I'm the Commonwealth, there IS little or
no demand among the people themselves
for change I'm the textbooks now In use
except histories. Such being the fact
II would be difficult indeed Cor the Dem
ocratio party to successfully meet the
charges and insinuations Of its political
opponents. and above all, the wrath Of It's
political followers-the people themselves
If a change I'm textbooks was decreed
by the State Board OF Education. The
questions would be asked, why was the
change required without permitting the
people TO have a voice. through their To-
cal representatives, In this all-important
natter Who were the insteators and
advocates Of the changer Were the
people who must bear the expense. or
the representatives Of publishing houses
and their friends who would realize the
prohts2 Are the district school funds
at present so large as TO furnish all the
INDECENT children I'm their midst with
textbooks and meet the other demands
which under the law confront them?
VIII the new burdens entailed by the
change multiply or lessen the number
Of schools and increas or diminish the
chances Of the poor 10 secure for their
children some measure Of educat0n2
These are the questions which would
be hurled at the Democratic party from
every hastings I'm the Commonwealth.
Democratic POlcy-Turning. however.
10 the true Democratic line of policy; and
how invulnerabe becomes the position Of
the State Board We find upon the State
list series Of textbooks. almost every
one OF which has been IN use since the
foundation Of the system. The continued
use OF these books. or ne adoption OF
new bOks in their stead. we VIII relegate
TO the local school authorities by placing
upon the list wherever there is reason
able measure of complaint additional
books by other authors Thus will be
left 20 the people I'm their several lOcali-
ties 20 determine for themselves. through
their local representatives, after eXami-
nation and conference, the determination
Of this question To this line of policy
no legitimate criticism could possibly be
urged. No new burden could be imposed
upon the people unless they themselves.
through their local representatives,. as
sumed It. No books satisfactory and
acceptable could be discarded. except
through the same influence. and no new
books Of doubtful adaptability and ac-
ceptabillty could be imposed upon the
people, except in pursuance Of their own
win.
The above line OF policy is IN conso-
nance with democratic principles. past
usages and the sentiments Of our people.
! believe il will comend itself 20 the iudg-
ment Of the Board as inherently right
and hence as conducive 10 the continued
success Of the Democratic party In this
State
With reference 10 your suggestion that
my argument implied the subOrdinati0n
of merit IN textbooks 10 other consider
ations. political or otherwise I also ask
that you publish the following quotation
from my brief upon this most important
phase OF the subject:
Considerations Which Should Control
IN Selecting Books-The following sug-
gestions are respectfully submitted as
considerations which should control the
action OF the Board and as standards
for determining the des.rabilty of text
books for use in Virginia schools.
l.
OF technique. but I'm adaptability of book
to the teachers employed and 90 the ca
pacity OF pupils.
Q Acceptability of the book I'm author
ship and contents 10 the school officials.
teachers-and above all, the people or
the State.
g. Cost Of books 10 patrons and district
school funds. Good books 20 Doe secured az
the lowest possible charge TO the people.
Ii is confidently submitted that. tried
By the foregoing crlteria. the books now
proposed by the American Book Com
pany and the University Publishing Com
pany for readoptlon by the Board should
receive its sanction
Books Of Home Pulishers-As 10 my po-
sltion taken in reference 90 home indus
tries and the adoption OF books offered
by local publishers. l ask that you pub
lish the following quotation;
Another subject worthy Of consldera-
ton Is the argument frequently urged
that the State Board OF Virginia should
pstronize publishers within the state,
and give 10 such publishers preference
in awarding contracts for text books.
This argument is certainly worthy OF
consideration, and it may be frankly adj
mitted that the Board would be fully
justified in giving to a Virginia publisher
whose books offered Tor adoption were
printed and bound by the labor Of Nir-
gInla workmen the preference In award
ing these contracts provided always that
the books so offered were OF unquesuoned
merit, could be adopted without serious
pecuniary loss TO the people. and fur
loo