Free Text Books

Ileferring again to the communication published in last week's Democrat with referenee to the Free TextBook system. The Democrat is in receipt of a communication from the ofiice of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction giving the experience of sixty-four school districts in the state, most of them country school districts, and they are almost unanimous in favor of the Free Book system. The testimony of the school oflicers is that it is cheaper than the old plan, their estimates running from the mere statement of its being cheaper up to 50% cheaper; and the testimony oí all but three of them is that "the system gives general satisfaction." One officer from Manistee county give live good reasons based on their experience, why they prefer the system: ilFirst, It is cheaper; second, all are supplied with books; third, books are uniform; fourth, it insuresgood atteadance: and fifth, it enables the teacher to do better work." Some of the otlier strong arguments given, are: '-that all scholars are provided with books at the beginning of school, that all have equally good books and can theref ore do equally good work, and that the school oflicers can more easily compel the attendance of children of poor parents who are unable to procure books." In a letter from the acting Superintendent of Schools at Saginaw, where this system has been in use for ten years past and has given the best of satisfaction, he says, in part, ''the expense to the community is lessened. and more children permitted to continue their course in school than would be the case if text-books had to be bought by the parents. Despite some minor objections which may be raised. I believe it the correct way to make free schools." In the city of Ann Arbor, where there are so many non resident students whose parents pay no taxes here, some provisión would have to be made for them. This is arranged for ir. Detroit and otlier cities by having free books up to the High School only. But there are certainly a good many students whose would parents would be enabled tn keep them in school longer if the books were furnished by" the district, to the great advantage of both the pupils and the community. In the country school districts of the county, unless Washtenaw ounty is different from any other county we have had any knowledge of, a good deal of trouble is found in supplying and maintaining a satisfactory supply of books, especially among the pp rer In many cases, one book must do for two or three pupils, and teachers flnd it almost impossible to do the best work they are capable of because hampeied in this way. Textbooks are tools; and no workman can do as good work with poor tools as with good ones. The schools of the state that have tried this system the longest seem to be the most satisfied with its operation. One district that adopted the system in 1889 s lys, '"It is so much one sided that it needs no argument in its favor." Another. "It gives children of poor parents au equal chance with those of more wealthy ones." The officer report ng from Saginaw to the State depjrtment says," We have vet to hear the first complaint." The attention of sch ol directors might well be given to this matter. A postal card to the Superintendent of Public Instruction will brini much interesting and proritable information on the subject. The Demo crat would be glad to see some of the districts of this county try ihe pi in, and note the effect upon their sehooh. -