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Show 51 SC iOOL HOOKS. Superintendent liiyy Makes a Statement, Mr. CkarUt Wright, Chairman, and Mr. Arthur 1'arions, Seentary, oj lk: Terri- torial Convention c Ttacheit. eomuunicatiou Your (jBNTt,KMK; wiili reonuioo eucto.ied waa received iu due uaia, but a there was couanUra-b- l buaines on baud demanding my iui m Jute attention, I have nut beeu able iu answer you uuiil now. I am well ware iba an act of public officers that mvolves a change iu a ceiumuniiy, especially uy act by whiob the huaucts of thai coiuuiuuiiy are disturbed, is alAs most always a subject of criticism (be aouon of ibe lale text book conveu-tio- n involves some ouange iu our school books, which apparently indicate an expeuae to ibe people, it is uaiural thai questions should arise as to tbe ueoes I was Kit or propriety of tbe aotiou. to atteniioa these 10 do pa disposed would as bettered i fully tbey yueitiona, uuturally allay themselves as tbey understood. But in response to tlie resolution which bus been made public through the papers, which purports to be tbe Toioe of the teachers of tbe territory, requesting me to call a oou veutiou, I feel it is tuy duty as the executive officer of the educational department, to make a full and complete eiatement of the whole mailer Tbe multiplicity of text beoks in this be-va- Territory has been really marvelous, which baa uul only retarded the progress of our sohools, but thousands of uoilare annually have been thrown away by the people to meet the swiftly recurring change. To such an extreme has of changing books been oar tue ried thai a tingle house in this oity Las 108 different kinds of text boons in aiook, and yet bus had applicaton for others Tbe iuconvemeooe and com from such a condition of things aritdag were considerations before the legislature of last winter, and in view of cor reeling this, and protecting the people agaiuat each useless expenditure, tbe section relating to the culling of a convention for the adoption of school books for the Territory, was inserted in the law. The section is as follows: "The Territorial and County Superintendents and the President oi the faculty of ibe University of Deseiet, or a tuajirity of ihem, shall, at a convention called by the Territorial Superintendent of district scheola, for that purpose, decide what text books shall be adapted in tbe schools and their use shall be exclusive aud mandatory in all tbe district schools of the Terrjtoryi provided that ho adopted shall be changed within a period of five year from its adoption, except for sufficient cause." This section contemplates a convention to be called by the Territorial Superin tendent of District Schools, for the pur shall be pose of deciding what adopted in tbe schools. Soon after the passage of this law, members of the Legislature and other friends of education were consulted as to the most ap prepriate time for sailing this convention. It was thought that tbe 6th of April, being Conference time, would be the most convenient date The County Superintendents were immediately noil fied of the convention and its object. Special paius were also taken to notify all the principal school book publishing bouses la the United States of the lime, I plaoe and objeot of the convention. sent copies of the school report of 1874 6 to each of theee publishing houses, and wrote to tbeui, aud drew their attention to the list of school officers and their postofSee addresses, and to toe 16lb of the sobool law. They were requested to send sample copies of their school text books to all tbe school officers, and to forward their very best proposals for their introduction or Some of the puplisatrs complied with the request and sent samples 1 believe, to alt the school officers, while others sent them only to me, to be Pre sented te the convention for its consid eration. Samples of tbe following school text books, with proposals and price usis enoiosea, or prtoe list atone, the retail, introduction and exchange prides, at which they would be furnished to our market in ease of their adoption, were placed before the convention for consideration: - text-btoks- o text-boo- k eeo-tio- coo-tkiain- TH C SIRIKS Or READERS AS D SPELLKRS, Tbe gathering of these samples of school text books together, and the securing of the best proposi'ions the va-- i ious publishers could offer for introduc tion er exchange, were considered a necessary wwrk on the part af the Territorial Superintendent preparatory to the metting of the convention Pursuant to tbe call made by the Territorial Superintendent a majority of tbe school officers as required in tbe above section, met in good faith, in Ibe University building. Salt Lake City, lo s should be decide what adopted in the schools. Some of tbe larjte publishing houses were represented at this convention, not only by samples of their books and their most liberal proposals, but their agents were also there. Mr Dorville Libby was here for A L. Bancroft & Co., San Francisco; Messrs C. J. Barnes and T J Thorp for A S. Barnes & Co , New York and Chicago; Mr. W. M Soper for D Appleton & Co., New York; Mr. Elra Blake for Wilson. Iliukle & Co.. Ciucinnai; Mr W. M. Scribner, for Potter, Ainsworth & Co . Chicago; Mr. Griffio for J H Butler & Co , Philadelphia Tbe proposal and arguments of ech of these agents received due considera tion After a thorough discussion of the merits of the various hooks, the proposals made, nd tbe terms upon which they were offered, being carefully and oritically canvassed, the following list of text books was unanimously adopted for exclusive use in the district schools of the Territory for the ensuing five years, vix : Pacific Coast Readers and Speller; Payson, Lmnton and Seribner's System of Penmanship; Cornell's Primary, Intermediate and Physical Otogra-pbiesHarvey's Series of Grammars; Kay's series of Arithm 'tics; Bryant und Stratum's Common School Book keeping; Barnes's Brief History of the United States; "Sorg Echo," and Home Pro ductions on music; and Krusi's Drawing series The history, penttanthip and arithmetics in tbe above list were textbooks adopted before this convention met, and were already in use in the s in music, Territory, and the and drawing, though not before adopted, are contemplated by the law, and suggested in its schedule forms. It will be observed, therefere, that the only changes made by the convention were in readers and spellers, in geogra phies and in grammars. The motives Had in view by the con vention may be seen by referring te tbe statement of Dr. John R Park. He says: "In contemplating the adoption of read ers and spellers, the followibg prepositions were considered and weighed : 1st ihe necessity of ad pung seme one series, as the law contemplates 2d Tbe necessity of securing the beet series in point of text matter and grad aiion 3d The necessity of securing the best terms of exchange and introduction. 4th The securing of the must favora ble terms for supply during the time of adoption. 5ib The best plan to bring about Bpetdily uniformity. In view ef all these desirable conditions, it is a matter of no little concern or labor on the part of the convention to effect a compromise that would, from all points, be realized as the bet for everybody. The convention, therefore, adopted the Paoifio Coast Readers and Speller. How wisely the convention acted in this adoption can only be understood when all the circumstances are taken into consideration. It is a matter of some difficulty to know how to dispose of the diversity of readers and spellers already in use in tbe Territory, vix: The National, the Wilson, the McGuffey, the Monree, the Paoifio Coast, eto., without serious inconvenience and loss to the schools; for if uniformity was to be secured, all or all but one must be excluded. A weighty consideration, therefore, in the adoption of the PaciQo Coast series, was the settlement of this question by an offer on the part of t he publishers to exchacge their new books for the old ones now in use, grade for grade, an jhit made by no other publishers By this exchange, uniformity it was seen could at once be secured, not only no loss to the Territory, tithwith an absolute gain of many thousand dollars. In the matter of text and gradation, the Pacifio Coast series was believed to be equal to any and uuperi or to most that were examined. I wish te ask the attention of our teaohers to a few points of superiority in tbe Pacific Coast series, as their educational value is certainly worthy our tekt-hook- ; text-book- book-keepi- The United States, Wilson's Shel don's The New American, .National, In dependent, Harvey's, The Pacific Coast epeoial notes: 1st. The new plan of the First readand Monroe's er impresses the educator favorably at ' GROGftir-HICS-. first eight. There is no of 2 Colton's New Series, Gojot's, instruction in wnicn moredepartment advancement Monteltb's National and Independent has been made the past lew .SerieThe Eclectic, Cornell s Mitchell's, years than in during The reading. primary and .Warren's. best teachers have long been in advance i of the GRAMMARS. in this reepeet, and hail with pleasure a new book suited to 8. Kerf's. Pinneo's. Smith's, Cooce's their ideas and methods. Tbe Pacific Headley'e, Bullion's, Harvey's, Swln-ton- 's Coast First reader is based on the idea Clark's, and Green's that reading, with the child, is more a matter of perception than of memory; ARITHMETICS. and it, therofore, appeals in its plan 4. Felter's.French'a, Peck's,' Davies'. to the pereeptive faculties, and direotly Kay'a anJ White'. require their cultivation. The pupil, XUCKLlAXEOt?. according to this plan, does not read 6 The 8penoerian, Payson, Dunton, until be has received sufficient training to know sentenoes at eight. He wit, feribner'a aud the Kcleclio then express these sentences naturally, Bartholomew's, and Kruii's drawing instead of in the hesitating, drawling or kteka, eto. vociferating manner that other methods 1. ' text-book- copy-books- , s are apt te induce, and whieh other methods have induced throughout this Territory. Te aii the pupil, the sentences are made tery short and simple, in tbe first part of tbe book occupying, in each case, only a single line. 2d Tbe introduction of lessons in script, oarried through the First, Second Tbe importance of and Third readers drill in script will be readily recognised, when it is remembered how few, either pupils or adults, read writing accurately or fluently. 3d The original matter in the lower books is attraciive, instructive and natural. Apparently, special pain have been taken to avoid those sickisb and improbable conversations between children which figure so largely in many of tbe primary readers 4th. Tbe selections in the higher readers are drawn from tbe best American and English authors. While selecting matter varied in character, inxtruct-ivsound in mvral tone, and suitable for elocutionary work, ibe author has also evidently aimed to present models of good Euglish, adapted to awaken and foster a love for our heat literature. Tim selections in school readers have much more influence than is generaly supposed, in fixing with pupils the standard of literary taste Most children find in their first introduction to tbe majority ef the authors therein re presented, er to anything like general e, literature. 4th. The biographical and critical sketches of tbe author quoted in the Fifth reader appear to have been carefully and faithlully compiled from the most reliable sources They are full, concise, and discriminating. Tbey serve not only to impart much useful information, but to awaken and foster a love of literature, which will be of life long value. As they contain, in all c ises. a list of tbe principal productions of each author, they are very valuable as a guide to the subsequent reading of tbe student 5th This being a western series, it not only contains suoh pieces as "Across the Plains." -- The Pony Express," "The Pack Train," etc, which are so tangible to tle western pupil, but in o her respects it is better adapted to tbe ideas of the west than any other series published in the United States. The only series that was able to hold any claim agairst the Pacific Coast se ries was the National, and that only by reason of its being more extensively used than any other one series in the Territory. ') he even exchange of the Pacific Coast series for all other readers and spellers of similar grade, determined that question at once Moreover, the relative cost rf the two series, the Pacifio Coast and National, will be found very much in favor of the Pacifio Coast, as the following view of the retail prioes of both series will clearly exhibit : NATIONAL. PACIFIC COAST. Retail Price. Retail Price. 25 Primer, S3 Reader, ' 2d Reader, 63 3d Reader, 1.00 1 50 4ih Reader, 1 88 5th Reader, Elementary Speller, 25 50 Pronouncing " 1st 25 50 75 1 00 1.25 35 $0.39 $4.10 This plainly shows that on each series there is an absolute gain of $2.29 in r of the Pacifio Coast. There are about 30,060 children of school age in this Territory, and about of this number are enrolled in the school schedules. Of this nuoiber about 2,000 children wonld use the National Primer at, 25c, $500 fa-v- two-lbird- g 5,000 do. 5.000 do. 8,000 do. 3,000 do. 2.000 do. do de. do. do. 1st 2d 3d Reaier at 88 63 1,900 8,150 $1.00 8.000 4th 1.60 4.600 do. 5th 1.88 8,760 12,000 Elementary spellers at 25c 3.000 8,000 Pronouncing 60 4.000 $23,810 This would be the expense of furnishing this Territory with the National series of readers and speller, if each pupil enrolled was compelled to purchase a new book; but, in fact, about one half the pupils on account of first entering school, loss or destruction of books, or being promoted, would have to purchase new books of the National series, if no convention had been called. This would reduce the expense to $11,905. As the National series is in only about of the Territory, tbe publishers agreed to furnish the other half for the old books and half the retail price, which would aggregate about the same as the figures given above. But as the publishers of the Paoifio Coast series offered an even exchange of readers and spellers, which was aocept-e- d by tbe convention, the children of the Territory are saved this expense. Moreover, by making this exchange there is an actual gain of the difference in the value between the new books and tbe old half worn books exchanged. This gain cannot be less than 25 per cent, on th retail price, or $5 952.50. which ad. ded te the S11.90.V p t,W uv This $17,857.50 is what the convention oi April last actually made for the peo-pof this Territory, by accepting the proposal of even axehiLiin'a of A r r- Oroft & Ct. It BIT h Raid tk.t k S. Banes k Co. also offered an even exi one-hal- f F it hr. change, whieh is partially true. After the time of receiving proposals was f closed, Mr C. J Barnes presented at the door of tbe room in which the convention was held, and staled that he had received permission from the Pub inker's Board of Trade to make an offer of even exchange for their own National series His written proposal was received and presented to the convention for consideration. This propjg.il begins as follows: "Having been informed that the Nareaders published by us, and tion) largely used in the schools of Utab, are threatened with displacement by an of fer of even exchange, book lor book, we propose to substitute our new series cf readers, known, as the Independent readers in even exohange for the National readers " It was seen that this offer of even exchange of tbe Independents for the Nationals would cover not more than one half of the Territory, while t he offer of A. L. Bancroft & Co. of the Pacifio Coast serieB covers the whole Territory, as they offer their new books in even ex change for tiny and all kinds of readers and spellers used in the Territory, it matters not how poor their condition Moreover the relative cost of the two series the Independent and the Pacific Coasts, for subsequent sales, will be tound in f ivor of the Pacifio Coast, as the following view of the retail prioes of both series will clearly exhibit: him-sel- 1 INDEPENDENT. PAC. COAST Retail Price. Retail Price. 25 First Reader, 25... Second Reader, 60 75 Third Reader, Fourth Reader, 1.00 1 25 Fifth Reader, Sixth Reader, 1 50 Ind. Spel Book, 25 Pac. Ind Child's Spel , 25 Ind. Youths ' 60 $6 25 50 75 1 00 1.25 Ct. Spel. 85 $4.10 By this exhibit we see that the books of even grade are tbe same in price; but tbe Independent series has one more reader aud two more spellers at an ex tra cost of $2 15 ou eacb series te cover the same grounds covered by the Pacific Coast series. No series is complete without the use of every book that to it; benoe. to leave out any book or books of a series to make it appear cheaper, is a dishonest, representation, for it does injustice to the series. It was discovered by the convention that there are already several different editions of the Independent series, which, with its lack in educational value, etc., with tbe disadvantages arising from its adoption, as stated above, it did not even stand second in the opinion ef the eonvenlion, Harvey's series being considered far superior. Tbe maximum discount on the Pacific Coast Series, on eles subsequent to the exchange will be 40 per cent. Therefore this series will be billed te the book dealer in Utah at the following prices, viz: P C. M Reader, 15; 2d, 80c; 3d, 45c; 4th, tSOc; 6th, 75c; Speller, 20c; making a total of $2 45 for the entire series. It will thus be seen very readily that these books can be furnished to the people very cheap, if the book dealer can be satisfied with 5 per cent, above cost and freight. The subject of the binding of the Pacific Coast books was before the convention and discussed in all its bearings. Copies were taken to the bookbinders of the oity and torn to pieces and examined, and their testimony received. Also the testimony of some of our leading teachers in whose schools these books had been in use for two years, was re ceived, which was: that they wear as well as any other books in tbe schools. It is a fact established among book publishers that it is not the best binding that is the most difficult to tear. It was stated that the binding of these books is about the same as that found on Pinnee's Grammar, some of .which were known to be in use for ten years and the binding still good. But as some apprehensions were still held by some of the members, Mr D. Libby agreed to improve the binding, etc.. of all their future work, and drew attention to a section of kis proposal be-lou- wbioh is as follows: 'We guarantee that the stock of Paand Spellers fur nished during the entire term covered by their adoption shall be as good as the samples presented herewith; and we cifio Coast Readers agree to replace at our own expense, during the entire five years, any book-sento us which has oome to pieces through defect iu binding, or which is defective in any other respect in which we, as manufacturers, are properly responsible." Mr. Libby also agreed to take from the shelves of tbe book dealers of tbe Territory their stock of readers and spellers and replace them with the books adopted, dollar for dollar's worth. The second change in the list of adoptions, was in Geographies, substituting Cornell's for Memeith's. In the opinion of the convention Cornell's series is better adapted to our schools than any other series offered for consideration, in consequence of their clearness and simplicity in the beginning and even gradation in their advancement, eto. The testimony of some of tbe County Superintendents, who are practical teachers was, that as their classes in Monteith'e series became tired and disgusted with the study of geography, they introduced Cornell's series t e bued with new life ,nd the most int.rested and inClu classes in their schools 8imilr , mony waa given by some of teacher. This is reank follow the adominn . - vl r 1FII j and attractive in interesting "V,-cam- . "i?ttt . ,.; clalS edged by all educators, that titn is necessary to superinduce energy and emulation in every We will again quote from Dr ? statement: "Tbe great and serious objeciioa the use of Mon.ei.h's series of ! t. g pbies has been its frequent revi sf00 To such an exent has this been don that it is now scarcely possible to ora! us a class and find the text matter i. all tbe geographies alike This Iim given trouble and great annoynce to the teacher, confused the pupil and ia peded h e progress, and impoHed on" parents the necessity of frequently chasing new books for their children thai fore the old enes are worn out " Both tbe old and the new series of Monteith's geograph es were discussed by the convention, with a desire to retain them it possible, but when their merits were compared with others, in the opiniou of the convention they did not stand even second. The Eclectio series was considered far superior. As no question been raised in reference to tbe on'y reojainisg change that f grammars, substituting Harvey i for Pinneo's, any remarks on this point would be unneccessary. In reviewing thus far the action of the teit book convention, I have done so with a view of correcting any misunderstandings '.hat have arisen; but as unjust charges and statements have been made in reference to the action of tht convention, I feel impelled to reply to some of them in this cennection. In his communication of Aug. 29th, Hon. John Taylor says: "But there was another question after the introduction of five years to come tbe retail prices, as published, would have been from 35 to 38 per cent, higher than tbey can now be obtained for wholesale in this city." Here Ihe convention is accused of having adopted tbe Pacific Coast books at full retail prices on sales subsequent to the introduction. Tbe coawntion no de sure before adopt iog new readers, geographies and grammars, t bat the discounts on permanent Bales were to beat great at least as these displaced The maximum disconnts on toe beaks adopted being 40 per cent which is the outside limit allowed by the Board of Trade. The Pacific Coast series was secured at even exchange, or 100 per cent, discount, which is from 62 to 65 per cent, better for the people than tbe suggestion made by Mr. Tayler. In Mr. Ta)lor's communication, it will be found that the correspondence of Mr. C. J. Barnes with bim are of dates April 26th, June 27th, July 8th, and July 18th, all subsequent to the adoption of the text books by tbe Convention. As an apology for admitting euch sen Mr. Tayler says: "I am informed that Bancroft & Co. are not in this (Board of Trade) and consequently could offer introductory inducements which others could not, the others being bound by their rules; but these offers being made by one eutside, the members of the Board were st liberty to compete, and hence the after propositions " In reply io this I wish to stats that is this matter no advantage whatever wn taken of A. S. Barnes & Co. Tbey wr fully posted as to tbe time and object of the convention. I wrote to that firm on the 25th of February, and informed tbem of the contemplated change lbt the National series was generally thought to be too expensive and (so for difficult and o herwise our schools, and asked them if they oould let us have the Independent series in even exchange for the National series. In reply, March 8d, tbey eaia for they could not make exchange even the of rules the under own their books, Board of Trade, or they would do so with pleasure as I requested. On the 16th of March I wrote there again, snd told them of the contemplated even exchange proposition from A. L.aneroft and & Co., ef the Pacifio Coast series, best propostbeir asked them to make ition. In their reply of March 24tb,they Pacnfl requested us not to let in thebe cbesp net would Coast series, as they os to us even if given away, and asked as pup'" to adopt the Independents, witn would not mind paying half prioe Ike old book for a new one. I? ? hi propori-tion- hifl will tA sufficient to sbo . p o. that no pains were spared to keep A. that and tn;y Barnes & Co. posted, Po.h.na a.jMfwro-- i en at least equal footing others. .. A. 8. Barnes & Co. were represented at the Convention by a most talof the firm and one of their ented agents, both of whoa usedy seour i mean, in tbeir power to Bdoption of their books. Butthej The voice of ibe County and teachers throughout JNatiosal series, proclaimed against the as being too eipeestve, wd adapted to our schools. tbe school, ,tji action of the convention, books being adopted in P""1 eon.es I. w. law, Mr.C J. Barne. ot "Urt" the apparent complaisance inuocenceand eye: 0fyosr ..Should the school au i Territory deauis otood " t wPnJ" . , .;,;,, '" ' t, |