The Grange advance., 1874-02-04

HE 1O1lOW1nG IS the substance OF a very
important bill introduced by Mr.. Donnelly
Jan. 18th, 1874, entitled 8. An Act to re-
duce the price Of textbooks used in the
schools Of this State":
SECTION l. 1t shall be the duty of the
State Superintendent of Public instruction,
within three months after the passage of
this act, calling to his aid such person or
persons as he may deem necessary, to pre-
pare u series Of text books suitable for the
public schools Of this State the compensa-
tion Of such person or persons shall be paid
out Of the current school fund Of the State,
but not to exceed the SUM of two thousand
dollars.
SEC. 2. As soon as such text. books are so
prepared, the Commissioners of Public
Prieting shall, in accordance with the pro-
visions Of chapter V. Of the Revised Stat
utes Of the State, give public notice in the
principal newspapers Of the cities Of St.
Paul, Chicago and New York, and invite
proposals for the printing Of said textbooks,
upon the following conditions. viz: that the
party making the lowest bid shall have the
exclusive right to supply the public schools
of this State with such textbooks, at the
price named in his bid, for the period of
five years from the acceptance Of his bid,
the State to incur no pecuniary liability
therefor.
SEC. 8. As fast as textbooks are printed
to be delivered to State Superintendent,
who shall transmit to the Auditor of each
county such number as he may think neces-
sary for the schools Of said county and
shall send with same schedule of contract
prices. The County Auditor to deliver to
the treasurer Of each school district in his
county, the number Of said books which he
shall think necessary, together with sched-
ule Of contract prices. The district treas
urer to sell the books to the pupils in the
school or schools Of his district, charging
them contract prices and no more.
Sec. 4. The County Auditor, upon re-
ceipt Of schedule of prices, to publish copy
of same. for four weeks, in the newspaper
of his county and if none in his county,
then in the nearest thereto; cost Of publ
cation, and transportation of books, shall
be paid by the County Treasurer, on the
warrant Of the County Auditor, out Of the
school fund Of the county.
Sec. 8. The district treasurer, on or be-
fore first Monday Of February and first
Monday Of September in each ye.r, to re-
port to the State Superintendent number of
books received by him, number sold, and
amount received for each; the State Super
intendent shall: on first Monday of March
or first Monday Of October thereafter, de-
duct total amount received by said district
treasurer from amount due to such district
from the current school fund Of the State,
and shall Immediately pay over the same to
the contractors who printed said books. If
amount Of money 80 received by treasurer
is greater than amount due such dis
trict from the current school fund of
State, then treasurer shall remit balance so
due to State Superintendent, who shall i'm
mediately pay it over to said contractors.
Sec. 6. The copyright Of said textbooks
shall be entered and remain in the name of
the State, and during said period Of five
years no other or different books shall be
used in the schools Of this State: provided,
however, that the State shall have at all
times the right to add to such series of
textbooks, or to alter or amend the same,
having due regard to the rights and inter-
ests Of the contractors.