Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1905-07-07
Credit Where Credit Is Due.

''' Jus JNoN ItdN III the
Roanoke Times of June 9th an ar
ticle copied from the Richmond
Evening Journal on tho subject of
"The Public School Books" every
word Of which he heartily endorses
and cannot call to mind, just now,
one thinking man who does not.
Daring the winter and spring of
1904, when the subject of the selec-
ton of text books for use IN the
schools was being agitated, taught
by more than twenty years expert
enee IN the. primary system, in the
capacity of secretary of our county
school board, we strongly advocated
the adoption of the "single list only
as being much cheaper and more
satisfactory in every particular than
any multiple list. At the same time
We opposed, with sincerity horn of
conyiction, the policy of putting the
selection of books into the hands of
the local boards We "had been
there and had experienced the vex-
atIonS, temptations and dangers to
which these boards had heretofore
been subjected. We therefore ear
nesily insisted that the State Board
Of Education be strengthened hy AS
socIating with them two, three or
may ba Eve approved educators,
known To have views in accord with
the primary system and that 60
tins board and no other, be assigned
the duty of selecting single, UNI
form list of text books TO be changed
from time to time by the same ex-
listing authority, according as the
exigencies aud development of books.
methods, etc, might demand.
We beg your pardon, Mr.. Editor,
we did not intend TO "thresh old
straw by entering here, into any
discussion of this subject, especially
as Il seems now that we are about
all of the same faith as regards the
propriety Of having only single list of
books. What we desire TO do is 10
call your, and through you, the peo-
pies attention, to conditions existing
In the spring Of 1904, just before and
during the sessions OF the State Nor
mai Board, which adopted the unde
sirable and justly abused system now
in vogue. In doing 80, we risk moth
ing in asserting, that even prior to and
during the sittings OF the Educational
Board, spring of 1904, its chairman
earnestly advocated the adoption OF n
single list, and that It should be the
duty IF the State Educational Board
TO select the books instead Of the sub
ordinate boards rs now provided.
However, we do not intend to dis
cuss this subject again, since the peo
pie through the press have spoken, and
we are tumbling over each other. In
efforts 10 suTpass one another i'm saw
ing the best and most complimentary
lillhgS lOr the single list, etc, IL would
be superiluous. Let us not forget.
however, to render "honor where hon.
or is due" Let us remember that II
the earnest advice Of the chairman OF
the State Board Of Education, Cover
nor Montague, had been needed. the
board would have been saved from
the commission of grave, and to the
people OF the state, an expensive mis-
take, TO say nothing OF the unfortu-
nate results OF unsettled conditions in
the schools, and the losses to the whole
people and children in effecting an
other and clearly necessary change.
When we come to vote in the ap-
proaching primary do not let US forget
this clcar-headed chairman, now our
most excellent governor, now a candi.
date for the U. S. Senate from Vir-
ginia. AIT.
Tazewen. Va, July 4, 1905.