The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-10-14
SCHOOL MELANGE.


over a month of our school work is
done, but in some classes not so well
done as 1t should have been from the
fact that the pupils were not supplied
with the necessary books. Why this
must occur every year Is a mystery, but
1t does. Nearly an entire month is lost
in many of our classes on account of
lack of books. The remedy for all this IL
free text books. Attention has been
called to this quite a number Of times in
these articles, and will be again and
again, until our board Of education
moves in the matter or our legislature
passes a law to that effect that will APP
ply to Wheeling as well as to other
parts Of the state. All the leading cities
OF the United States now have free text
books, either wholly or in part. and
why cannot we join the procession as
1t moves along and not be everlastingly
bringing up the rear In all questions OF
! reform? But when we do move we
move surely and some bright day we
will have free text books and 1t will be
bright day for our schools and 1t will
be bright day for the taxpayers. as
well, for several hundred dollars will be
saved yearly to the people.
Some one asked the writer. what is
the use of the text book, anyhow" Be-
fore answering the question, we would
say that the text book is a much abus
ed article as well as a much used one.
The text book is not especially for the
use OF n teacher, except as a guide to
test the pupil rs to the preparation
made of the lesson to be recIted, though
there are some teachers who would be
nj a loss 10 teach without 1t. but we
say right here by way OF depression
that any one who pretends to teach
should know the subject TO be taught so
/ well that he or she could teach II II
there was not text book in the world
on the subject. The most important use
Of the text book is for the pupil to use
in the preparation OF the lesson. Some
| Of our best teachers seldom II ever
\ use them in the class. Some teachers
require the pupils to answer the ques-
lions in the exact words OF the text
book. and If one little word is left out
the question is considered missed en-
tIrely. This Is simply no teaching ut
all and anyone who does It is tit mater
ial to lay on the shelf. After the sub
ject is studied by the pupil and proper
| ly digested, one good answer In his own
words is worth ten answers drawled out
in the exact words Of the book.
1t is very gratifying to all friends OF
education to know that our university
begins this year with such bright pros
poets. over 700 students are in attend
ance at the start. That the enrolment
during the year will reach 1000 or more
is now almost an assured fact Now,
II those who are finding much fault
with the management OF the university
will Just be as jealous for It's success as
they seem 10 be anxious 10 hinder its
progress, we will soon have an institu-
ton OF which we may well be proud. In
saying this the writer takes no sides In
the controversy, but as friend Of edu-
cation he stands for the right. II the
management OF the university IL not
what II ought 10 he let all friends OF ed
ucatlon use their best endeavors "a
right what ls wrong. Let this be done
in spirit Of fairness to all concerned,
and not attempt 20 bclittlc by commu-
nlcations, some OF which smack Of the
smart" style with nothing tangible In