Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1883-01-27
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BOWEN = KINasBURY, Prop'ts.
EDUCATIONAL MATTERS.
A Letter upon subjeots Of Importance
From Gentleman of Experience.
The following letter has been sent us
for publication from Q. Q. Bridgeman,
of schools in Clay coun-
ty:
Minneapolis, Mlnn., Jan. ..23-Supt. O.
O. Bridgemsn, Vermillion, d. T.-Dear
Sir; Learning that an attempt is being
made to fasten upon the school system
of Dakota. Law similar to the scheme
in Minnesota, known as the "Merrill
Text book law" and having q knowledge
of the evil influences of such legislation,
I would be false to the cause am trying
to serve, did I not apprise my co-laborers
in Dakota of our unfortunate exper.
fences, and thus prepare them to oppose
scheme that can only tend to cripple
educational progress wherever its bale
full Influence is allowed to prevail.
Under the specious cover of cheapness
bookseller of st. Paul engineered HIM
self into fifteen years. monopoly of the
sale of school books in this state.
School, state and county off.
GERS were compelled to aid
him in the nefarious business of foisting
upon the people the poorest series Of
school books in the market. The passage
Of the law was bitterly opposed by the
educators of the state and by the mass
of the people, and would never haye
passed but for an unfortunate COM
promise made by the willy schemer with
the cities, exempting them and tho towns
from the operations of the law. The law
was then worried through, imposing
scheme on country schools, that was not
sanctioned by theintelligence of citiesand
towns. You will see at once that such
law could never become operative. Rural
districts, Notwithstanding the penalties,
imprisonments and stoppage of school
funds imposed for noncompliance have
many of them, continuously, purchased
books as the cities and towns when where
and what they pleased, and the contrac-
tor knowing full we'll the
sumptusrv and un.republican character
Of such legislation, has never dared pros
ecute single man or district in the
state. Many districts of course were
frightened into q compliance, and this
class are the sufferers. The first loss to
these districts was the discarding of about
$4,000 lin round numbers) worth Of
books, and the replacing by purchase,
from the contractor, of an inferior class
of books. The clerk OF. each district be-
ing required to mark the requisition for
books and run the book store of the dis
trict (without compensation, of course,)
you canireadily see that much further
loss would occur. Some clerks ordered
more books of one kind than could be
possibly used in ten years, and lest
of those absolutely needed in the
school at the beginning of the term. As
the books were paid for before deliver,
| by the county auditor, the district ex'
changed funds for dead stock ofttimes, OF
the contractor would not make changes
| A supplementary lorder, also. had to be
sent on the first week OF school for th,
needed books. The red tape made i
necessary sometimes to wait month fol
the books, frequently longer-if tn
clerk lived in remote. district the sohoc
was fortunate in getting books befor
the term closed, Oft times the cler
ran credit system, and the loss had t
be met by the district; need I mentio
the greater loss of the valuable time {
the children while under such pla
they 60 bookless to school I; or con 70
wonder that the majority of district
using these books soon repudlated th
law as to buying books of clerks. an
wisely allowed the matter to fall bac
into legitimate channels of trade, an
purchased books of deal ers.
NJ Now as to the cheapness of the boob
There has never been time since lor
before this law was contemplated til
superior books could not be purchase
at as good figures as the so-called sta
series.
Such law would bar out progress +,
fifteen years. No one but lunat
: would advocate such legislation for Il
s purpose Of securing to the state che.
reapers, boots, shoes or any other co,
modify. It is only when education
concerned that the principles OF comm,
sense are sacrificed by attempting to I
duce the price Of commodity by de-
troying competition, and giving schel
!, ing book seller grinding monopoly.
! The vexation attendant on trying
carry out this impracticable scheme q
the consequent loss, heartily disgust
> all concerned, so that at the expirati
q Of five years q majority of the peol
=, !, voting on the question voted against t
- further continuance Of the law. T
contractor, through his organ, claims Il
the Law is yet ia force, but the intelliger
= of our state cannot be blinded by tet
nicality. My own county is exercisi
its right to select its books and sch