Mexico weekly ledger., 1906-08-02
A Word About School Book Changes

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MEXICO, Mo-, July 26.-I note II
yesterdays LEDGER a statement from
the employed attorney OF the Ameri.
can School Book Company usually
known as the American School Book
"trust') agitating the seriousness,
danger, expense and u~ntimeliness Of
making any changes" in the public
school text books. The object Of this
communication from Mr.. Fry is, Of
course, to create sentiment In advance
against any action which the school
boards may consider wise to take in
the matter OF changes, and to preJu-
dice the patrons against any action OF
the school board in this matter.
The American Book Trust was
very much in favor OF making chang
es In school text books until practl.
cally all OF its books had been adopted
In the schools Of Mexico aud 10 the
State Of Missouri. Now this great
concern considers ID a very "seriousn
and dangerous thing to make n
change In text books. Unless the
change Is made from one Of their text
books TO another, then the change is
all right. The public free schools, es-
tablished by the wisdom and patriot.
ism OF the fathers Of our country,
largely supported by the wealthy tax
payers and offered as a free gift to the
poor children, constitute the greatest
boon In the land. With this great
free gift before them patrons are too
often disposed TO unthoughtedIy
grumble at the trifing cost OF even
buying the latest and best books for
the use OF their children in these
schools.
The school board, which gives much
OF Its time and thought to the best
interests Of our schools, With no pay
except the satisfaction OF trying to
upbuild the standard of education and
intelligence, desires to put into the
hands OF the children the best i'm
proved and most up-tO-date working
tools for their aid in learning. ri
these improved aids to education cost
a few cents or even a few dollars more,
the board is disposed to recommend
and adopt them, notwithstanding the
grumbling OF a few patrons and the
Book Company.
A few changes have been made and
others may be made. In making these
changes instructors are consulted and
The board acts upon its best judgment
II does not claim to be infallible, butt
thinks ii has the welfare of the child
rem as much at heart and possibly as
much intelligence as some members
the Missouri legislature, to which
Fry refers. An Arithmetic has
been adopted which the ~lamented
supt. d. A. Mcmillan desired TO adopt
o our schools, but could not, on &C.
CUNT OF an arrangement then in ex.
eN~A CNeNOCu lnG dtDECSdiu AmeTl-I
an Book Co. and the Missouri Legis-
allure. This member OF the school
is satisfied that the others
re willing 10 assume the responsible.
by and to receive the criticism for anil
ook changes that are made When /
be Board desires a guardian In !
his matter 1t will not apply to the
-meriean Book o.. or its attorney
For the information or patrons i'll
be stated that when a new textI
COX on any subject is introduced inI {
schools, the new books are offered :
exchange for the old ones on the {
Ime subject previously used as a text 4,
Dok' either on an even exchange or q
nall cash difference, which makes 4
change In text books" not an !
ipensive thing at all. However, mol 9
or mechanic will grumble att =
le purchase Of a new tool that aids I
IN 10 his business He should not Z
nmble at buying the best tools for Z
Ie intellectual development OF his q
II. p. WARDEN. v