The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-04-02
THE TEXT BOOK QUESTION.

Several smaller Michigan cities and
villages are discussing the question
Of text books. III no action IL taken AZ
their school meeting they come under
the provision of the new uniformity
law, and must change their books
whether they wish il or not. II they
wish to remain as they are now, . vote
TO that effect Is necessary, or IL they
wish free text books. n vote Ia necessary.
Certainly n district will be extremely
foolish that permits itself to come un-
der the provisions of the uniformity
law, and be compelled to change its
books before Il shall know what tho
new books are to be, when by vote ~
can keep out of the net, until after tho
books are adopted and tested. then X
desired Il may adopt the uniform plan.
II may thus make intelligent choice
not take jump in the dark.
A complete change of text books 10
an exceedingly expensive experiment.
and should not be foisted upon dis
trict unthinkingly.
OF all the plans suggested, the cheap
est Is the free text book plan. To sup
port this let MS give n few figures as to
the relative cost of books under tho
various plans, In the city of Benton Har-
Dor.
This summary of books includes fivo
readers, one large written arithmetic,
one mental arithmetic, two books In
physiology, two books In grammar, two
books in geography, drawing books,
two music books. copy books. spoilers,
United States history, civil government
of Michigan.
II school books are purchased new I'm
every grade while pupil is passing
through the eight grades OF the public
schools, the text books alone. inside
from pens, pencils and tablets, will cost
al retail s27.94 per pupil.
Readers, spoilers, arithmetics, geog-
raphies, psychologists and grammarsare
used during two or three years or grades
by the same pupil. Buying the books
once while pupil Is passing through
the eight grades, the books alone. aside
from pens, pencils and tablets, will cost
at retail s17.7o per pupil.
Quoting prices from the prices a.
fixed under the uniformity text book
law, saying nothing about the quality.
IL pupil purchases books new in every
grade while passing through the eight
grades OF the public schools, the text
books alone, aside from pens, pencils
and tablets, will cost at retail $2o.24 per
pupil. II bought by the board of educa-
tion under the free text book system,
saving the 20 per cent. TO the retailer,
and II bought new in every grade. IL will
cost sle.ss per pupil.
Buying the books once while the
pupil Is passing through the eight
grades, the books alone, inside from
pens. pencils and tablets, will cost tho
board of education under the free text
book system 1885 per pupil. These fig
ures are given on the superstition that
the pupil keeps the books afterpurchas-
ing as his own. Under the free text
book system the board Of education IN
the custodian OF the books after pupil
has finished book. With proper care
very many OF these books cnn be used
by other pupils. II is asserted by three
cities and districts using free text books
that the books cost the pupil from one
third TO 40 per cent. of what they now
cost the pupil at retail. Coupling tho
free text book system with uniformity
as far ms may be best IL Is safe to say
that books can be purchased very much
cheaper under the free text book sys-
tenn than under any other.-The Mod
orator. !