The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-16
WHAT Mr.. MUNFORD SAID.
How Change in School Books Would
Affect the Democratic Party.

Editor OF The Times.
Sir:-YOdr exceedingly courteous refer
ence TO me and the remarks which 1 am
supposed 10 have made before the State
Board OF Education in discussing the
propriety OF changing the textbooks
now in use in our public schools, without
permitting the people. through their local
school authorities. 10 have any voice In
the matter, and the efrect Of such a pol
lev upon the fortunes of the Democratic
party, emboldens me TO write and request
you to publish exactly what l SAID on this
subject.
The Following IS a quotation from my
printed brief which / placed IN the hands
Of the Board, and followed closely In my
oral argument on the occasion referred
TO:
Large Measure % Liberty Should Be
Left TO Local School Authorities: l pass
now 10 the consideration OF another phase
of this most important subject. As here
tofOre pointed out, the State Boards OF
Education have studiousy RETAINED ex-
cept upon one occasion, from seeking 10
deprive the local school authorities and
the people whom they represent or the
right 70 decide whether the books now
IN tho hands OF the people ana in use In
the public schools should be changed
for new ones. The whole free school sys-
TEN IS maintained by the taxes OF the
people for the benefit OF the people. The
books TO be used by their children,
whether Old or new. must be paid for
by the people. and II would seem, there
fore, both right and polite for the GEN.
trail power TO accord TO the citizens in
their several counties and cities the right
OF exercising some control in matter
which thus affects their interests.
Shall the books now in use be cOntlnl ca.
or new books substituted in their stead2
What possible argument can be urged
against the propriety OF permitting the
schOoi authorities in the several counties
and cities OF the Commonwealth 20 decide
for their respective localities this impor-
tant question? This has been the privi-
lege. with more or less latitude, hereto
fore allowed me people. This is policy
which, If denied them, viii arouse dis
trust and dissatisfaction throughout the
Commonwealth. Let the State Board OF
Education. II any wel-founded objection
Is urged from any quarter TO any book
now upon the list insert one or more
books upon the same subject, and then
let the people through their local repre-
sentatives. decide for themselves whether
the old shall be retained or the new sub
stitutad in its stead. TINS policy Is in
harmony with the genius OF cur people. 1t
since The foundation of the free school
system, and whenever and wherever de-
parted from II has aroused indignant
protest. It would be difficult indeed 10
explain 10 the people or Virginia. educat-
ed as they are TO the Democratic idea OF
self-government and the inherent right OF
the citizens in their several localities 10
control their own affairs-I say It would
be difficult indeed TO explain why their
local representatives, were not better
competent 10 pass upon the adaptability
and acceptabiiity OF school books than
some power living remote from their
ne,ghborhood. They could never be made
70 see the justice OF a change in text
books. which would bring additional ex-
pense. without permitting the people. out
OF whose POCKETS the extra charges were
10 be paid. a voice on this Important
question. For these reasons IL Is submit
ted that the State Board OF Education