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"LES MISERABLES"
UNDER THE BAN.
Some Rome Views on the Action of the Riiladelphia Board of
Education in Putting it Out of Its List ©f Good Literature,
Rome's cultured and well read citi
zens were rather surprised to read in
the other d»y that “Les Miserables,”
one of the gieatest novels ever written,
has been deewien by the Philadelphia
board of education as unfit for girls to
read. The book has been shut out of
the course of French literature.
“Lee Miserables’' must go. because
some of the* grepbio ;scenes are not
‘•proper” for parlor reading or for young
girls, anyway, according to the com
mittee of the board of education in
Philadelphia. .
This committee consists of men and'
women who pass upon the methods of
study in the girls’ high school They
regulate its affaire, vote on requisitions
for pens and ink, attend the graduation
exercises regulai ly and also choose the
reading for the girls. When there is
any new reading to be suggested for the
rising belles of the quaker city this
committee holds a session and passes on
the advisability of using the books re
commended. Miss C. Dalcour, the head
of the French language literature de
partment, sent in a list of French
classics and recommended that it should
be used in the French classes.
A woman defended the book before
he committee. S>e was .its only de
fender. Tbij wds Mrs. Mary E. Mun
ford, the only woman member of the
committee. Mrs. Munford saw no
harm in the book. She remembered the
story of Jean Vai jean’s noble life, the
tale of a great, character awakened by
horrible suffering and "devoted after
ward to the work of relieving the suf
ferings of others. But the men on the
committee decided that the book was
not fit to be read by girls. They were
positive they would be doing wrong if
the book was used as a schoolbook. So
as they were in the majority Mrs. Mun
ford’s solitary plea fob the great romance
was of no avail.
•‘The book is shocking in its relation
to life, ” said Richardson L. Wright, the
veteran member from Frankford,
“The truth is too plainly told in it,”'
was Mr, Harrington’s comment.
William D. Rohrer, the principal, said
he had not read the edition suggested,
but he thought it must be an abridged
edition which did not contain any of the
objectionable features. The committee
finally decided to return the list of
French books to Principal Rohrer for
further consideration.
After the meeting Chairman Morton
expressed himself freely about the con
demnation of ‘‘Les Miserables” as a
book for girls. He was asked if he re
garded the book as immoral.
“No, not necessarily,” said Mr. Mor
ton, but I do not think it a proper book
to place in the hands of our girls for
study. My object is to the tone of the
book. It deals, as anyone who has read
it knows, with the grisettes of France.
That in itself is condemnatory,
*‘l think that we who have charge of
the public schools have a sacred trust,
and we cannot be too cautious in setting
before the boys and girls anything
which detracts from their ideas of vir
tue and purity. Their parents hold us
responsible. To require pupils to read
a tainted book is wrong. I would ob
ject to any classics, even some of Shake
speare’s works, if they are immoral.”
Principal Rehrer said: “I do not
care to go deeply into the matter until I
can see Miss Dalcour, who is a very
estimable woman, and learn her reasons
for recommending the book, which I
am confident is an abridgment of the
original and contains nothing objection
able. I shall examine the list of French
books required to be read by students
entering Bryn Mawr and other colleges
to see if ‘Les Miserables’ is included
amofig- them.”
Philadelphia is excited over the deci
sion of the committee. There are few
in the quaker city who do not admire
the great romance. They have felt the
book to be a source of inspiration in
philanthropy.
In Rome as far as could be learned
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| the action of the Philadelphia board
jof education is regarded as very ex
; traordinary.
1 County School Commissioner James
D. Gwaltney said: “It seems <to that
the Philadelphia board has eoted
foolishly. The novel is regarded as
one of the greatest ever written. 1
bad an old German frieod who used
to say that the famous description of
the battle of Waterloo was an imagi- '
nary sketch, but Ido not know about
that. ”
Miss Linnie Hargrove, the libranian
of the Young Men’s Library Associa
tion: ‘‘l was astonished at the idea
of the book being considered improp
er. It is one of the most popular
books in the Rome library and often
called for. Os course, French morals
are looser than American, but Ido
think “Les Miserables” is extrrordi
nary in respect to immorality. On
the contrary its teachings and lessons
are good. lam reading the Phila
delphia papers and a great effort is
being made to have the famous novel
taken from under the ban.”
A prominent Methodist preacher of
Chicago says: “I have read that
book three times, and there is a chap
ter in the French edition that is left
out in the English edition. Concern
ing this chapter I can only say that I
could not indorse the reading of it by
young women. • But so far as the rest
of the book is concerned, while it is
Frenchy, ’I do not see that
delphia board of education had any
provocation to make war on it. It is
unnecessary for me to praise the book
as a literary performance. ”
“The criticism Victor Hu
go’s work by the Philadelphia mem
bers of the board of education is too
sweeping in its, recommendations I
think,” said Mr. Harper Hamilton. In
my opinion “Les Miserables” ranks as
one of the greatest novels eyer writ
ten. The story of the life of Jean
Valjean is a noble -inspiration—an
epic poem in itself.
“There is nothing dangerous in the
reading of the book. It is read by
the purest and best people alone.
Tbe prurient reader finds nothing in
its pages to attract him. It is the
choice book of thousands of the best
men and women in the world. ”
“I can see no reason for any such
discrimination against the book,”
said Dr. A. J. Battle. “I think that
‘Les'Miserables’ is one of the greatest
novels ever written, and that Victor
Hugo is one of the world’s greatest
novelists. I speak from a recollection
of tbe book as I read it many years.
I may not recall some passages, but
I expect to read “Les Miserables”
again shortly and can give you a bet
ter opinion.” In discussing the
book Mr. Hughes Reynolds said he
found the book very dry, and while
he could call no special immoralities,
yet he thought better books for girls
might be found.
“They might just as well place a
ban on the Bible.” said another
gentleman. “It is not right fora
board of education to take such a
step. The result’will be that many
persons will begin hunting through
the book with all their faculties alert
to get base suggestions. To that ex
tent the members of the board who
voted to throw out “Les Miserables”
will be responsible for any injury in
flicted. ”
- “i do not at all agree with the mem
bers of the Philadelphia board of edu
cation who decided that “Les Mis
erables” is not fit for young girls to
read, ” said Supt J. C. Harris of the
public school".. "It is one of the
greatest and best works ever writ
ten. It is grand and ennobling. It
has won its place in the world’s favor
not because it is unfit to be read, but
because it is singularly fit to be read
by everybody. I 'can; think of few
books less offensive than that.”
To Care a Coldin One Day
Take Laxative Bromo Quinine Tablets
All druggists refund the money if it
fa.lstcome. bo.
VALUABLE MINERAL.
State Geologist Yeates DlFcovars Moz&nlte In
Mountains of Rabun.
State Geologist Yeates has made' an
important discovery of mozanite in
Raburn county at the Hedden Placer
mine says the Atlanta Journal. Monazite
is the materirl used in making mantles
for Welsback burners, and is one of the
rarest minerals in the world. It occurs
in the lorm of sand, which is worth nine
cents a pound.
The principal production of this min
eral for the United States is in Noith
Carolina, apd over 1.500,000 pounds
were marketed from that state.
In 1896 the importations from Brazil
THE ROME TRIBUNE. SUNDAY, OCTOfJEtf 17. IHH7
came io competition with the North Car
olina monazite and reduced the output.
Congres<ohaa recently put a duty on the
mineral and a stimulus has thereby been
given to tbe industry.
The use of monazite is rapidly inert is
ing, and the demand for it bids fair to be
come very heavy. The Hedden mine
has been worked for gold many years,
but the monazite promises to be more
valuable td the owner than tbe gold has
been,
Dr Yeates ~ says of the discovery:
“From what I have seen it is highly
probable that monazite will be found in
a great many of the pincer mines when
it is systematically looked for. It is
mined exactly as gold is, in senice boxes,
and the process is inexpensive. The
monazite is caught in the ripples, and be
ing very heavy sinks to the bottom.’!
Dr. Yeates has a sample on exhibition
at his office in the capitol.
Tortured For Months.
“I was tortured for nine months with
nettle rash. I found no relief until I be
gan taking Hood’s Sarsaparilla. The first
few bottles relieved me and I continued
its use until I was cured. I am now in
better health than for years and my skin
is soft and smooth.” Mbs. Lucy W-
Bigetow, Bushnell, Florida.
Hood’s Pills are the only pills to take
with Hood's Sarsaparilla. All druggists,
25c. • •
DR. BATTLE COMPLIMENTED.
A Talladega Paper has Some Nice Things to
Say About Him-
Dr. A. J. Battle returned a day
or two ago froip a week’s stay to Talla
dega, Alabama. In speaking of his
visit there the Talladega Mountain
Home says:
Dr. A. J. Battle, president of Shorter
College, Rome Ga., is spending several
days with his niece, Mrs. J. H. Johnson.
Sunday night tbe doctor preached a very
jJile sermon on The Coming of Christ’s
Glorious Kingdom, at the First Baptist
church. His text was from Mat. 16:26:
“Verily I say unto you, there be some
standing here, who shall not taste death,
till they see tbe son of man in his king
dom ” The discourse was profound, re
plete with wisdom, chaste and elegeant
in diction, and the congregation was de
lighted with the effort. Dr. Battle was
for more than a dozen years president of
Mercer' University, at Macon, Ga. He
was also for a number of years, just
after the war, president of the Judson
Institute, at Marion. We hope he will
come to our towu again.
Yellow Fever Germs
breed in the bowels. Kill them and you
are safe from the awful disease. Cascarets
destroy the germs throughout the system
and make it impossible for new ones to
form. Cascarets are the only reliable
safe-guard for young and old against yel
low jack. 10c, 25c, 50c, all druggists.
Sheets of Bank Notes.
A bank cashier in the west writes to i
us to say that bank notes are always
supplied to the national banks by the
treasury department in sheets of four,
not 12.
Our friend confers a further service
by telling a little story. All the bank
notes on a sheet bear the same number
and are distinguished from one another
by being lettered. The note at the top
is “A,” and the others are “B,” “C”
and “D” in order.
“An amusing incident,” writes our
correspondent, “occurred some years
ago when I was acting teller in this
bank. We had just issued some fresh,
crisp bills, and one day a gentleman
rushed in all out of breath to inquire if
three bills that he had in his hand were
good. When assured that they were, he
said that he distrusted them because
they were so new and because, when he
laid them down, the little letters on
the face of the bills read ‘ B A D, ’ as he
showed by arranging them in that way,
and he supposed they must be bad.”—
Youth’s Companion.
“77 ’
FOR
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Taken persistently “knocks out” the
Grip and Colds that "hang on.”
Multitudes are taking “77” with suc
cess. X
If the indigestion is poor alternate
with
No. 10 for Dyspepsia.
Indigestion, Weak Stomach
Dr. Humphrey’s Homeopathelc Manual
of Diseases ot your Druggist or mailed
free.
Sold by druggists, or sent on receipt
of 25ots, 50ots, or sl. Humphreys’
Med. Co. Oor, William and John Sts.
New York.
| T 0 BE CLOSED OUT AT ONCE'-1
to 9P-CALL AT MY STORE OS-
to
to S
w And see my line of Capes and Jackets and Feather Boas. I have XU/X
\V decided to close out this stock at one. Will put them on the market
at prices never before heard of in this city. Come early and make //jvx
A" your selection.
;;; Mrs. J. F. WARDLAW. *
to 246 BROAD STREET. h\
$
COST SALESI
Going Out of Business Sales!
Are not in it compared to the prices
given by
W. H. COKER & CO.
*
19,19%, 21, 2B Broad St.. Rome, G-a.
THE CUT PRICE HOUSE.
I • •
No matter what prices are quoted you, ours will
be lower. Come to see us before buying.
"• ♦
• •
W. H. COKER & CO-
Kill to Live.
That living germs oy millions infest
the human system and produce dis
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a theory but a proven fact. That
King’s Royal Eeimoteur
Cures these diseases in a speedy and
pleasant way, is equally proven.
npriag;
Is here. Look to your health at the
beginning of the hot season. Keep
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preventive and cure. Sold every
where. SI.OO per bottle.
Atlanta Chemical Co., Atlanta, Ga.
, MANUFACTURERS.
Ostrich Feathers-
Boas, Plumes and Tips
Cleaned, Curled
and Dyed.
Kid Gloves cleaned, 15c to 50c per
pair.
I. PHILLIPS
79% Whitehall Atlanta.Ga»
Why not
Buy a Piano
At Home
Where you are in position to
get one at the Jo west possible
price, from ons of the largest
dealers in the South. The
E. E. Forbes Music House
is enjoying one of the most
prosperous year's in the history
of its existence, and is better
prepaired than ever to trade
with you in away to save yogi
money. Call on or wii e them
for prices on
CONOVER. KARNICK & BACH,
BEHR' BROS. KN ABE.
CCHBERT AND KINGSBERRY
PIANOS
Found at
327 Broad St., Home, Ga
S. P. DAVIS, Manager.
NEVIN OPERA HOUSE.
ft ft .JAS. B - NEVIN, jtel
Manager,
One Night, Wednesday, Oct 20
The Beautiful Emotional Actress
Eugenie Blair
i and her own company.
. Direction, Pot-e?t Dowring.
Presenting Dumas* mas erpiece
->g“CAMILLE”§<-
Miss Blair’s only engagement in
Home this season.
Stop
When in Chattanooga, either on.
business or pleasure, at tbe most
comfortable and ccnvenvient hotel
in the city .
Stanton House,
Near the Central Station and'
convenient to business center
Rates, $2 a pay.
HIM. Kline & Co. Proprietors.