El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-10-19
WE OWE 1T TO TEXAS CHILDREN
TO PROVIDE FREE SCHOOL BOOKS

IN the state election to be held next month the voters
Texas to vote change in the state constitution
At the last regular session Of the legislature bill
passed for the submission the voters Of amendment
Article Z section g. providing for free textbooks foI
the children Of Texas attending the public schools and
raising the possible limit Of the ad valorem tax for the
maintenance of schools from 20 IS on the $780,
The adoption Of this amendment viii be the most ad-
vsnced step taken in Texas education many years
The Democratic state convention at Waco on Septem-
Der 4, last, adopted the following plank:
an view of the fact that constitutional amendment
providing for free textbooks in the public schools of Texas
IS to be voted on at the general election in November
and believing that free textbooks are an essential element
Of any complete free school system strongly urge upon
the Democrats of Texas the importance Of this amend
ment TO the end that it be adopted part Of funda
mental law"
Where free textbook system has been inaugurated,
the plan has worked well Generally there is but one
argument against it. the tendency to pass books from
child to another thus afordng good chance for the
transmission Of disease This is met by careful and fire.
quent fumigation. Good Of the books while in
chlds possession is enforced by ruling that books de-
faced msused in any way must be replaced at the
pense Of the negligent person or his parents.
We seeing clearly than ever before the real
Importance Of education, realizing than ever the ne
oessty for providing education for every person. the
very poorest well all others. The cost Of school
books D item Of much Importance in many family Of
small They cost comparatively little for the early
grades much the child advances to higher grades
Then the temptation cut off the expense by tax
ing the child ont Of school and letting him go work It
has been found that free textbooks help along the
of education very greatly by taking part of the financial
load off the parents Of children particularly when there
several children in the family. Perhaps there is
slight exaggeraion in the plank of the Democratic
convention when states that free books are
sent element Of any complete free school system but at
any rate they very desirable, if not entirely
sential element
Victory when It ultimately comes viii make the world
ready Tor democraein this country to extent
well IN other countebut only the school actual
lie and perpetuae the true ideals of democracy The
sian Tevoluonsts ardently desired free government but
her profound ignorance has thus far cheated them Of the
blessing.
This matter should need deliberaton; its ad
vantages quite evident The election comes on No
vember and there is little time discussion Gov
Hobby state superintendent public instruction W
Doughty, Miss Annie Webb Blanton Democratic nominee
for the state SUPPLEMENTARY succeed Prof Doughty
and many prominent educators in all parts Of the state
have already given the proposed change their hearest
dorsement
The voters Of Texas owe It to the children Of the
state to cast vote for free textbooks.
We have lots Of land around here for west Texans who
are tired Of depending rain for a living.