The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1885-02-19

Inc SLdL6 DOdTu anu upeIlutcnuclli
of education are to make the selec-
ton by July l, 1885, including three
TO BE known Is state books, written
by different authors, on variety Of
subjects mentioned in the first section
OF the bill The list embraces the his
tory of the United States and history
OF Texas. Cost and general make up
of the books are TO be col sidered.
Sec. 2. Provides for receiving bids
from publishers Tor furnishing the
books TO local dealers in the counties.
Contracts are 70 be made to this end,
subject 10 such penalty or forfeiture
as the board may determine, the con
tracts to be in writing and fix the
maximum charge for the books,
SEC. 3. The contracts for furnishing
the books are not to extend over four
years.
Sec. 4. County judges are to be
! furnished circulars of information as
to the action Of the board, as to the
| selection of books, contracts, etc.
/ Sec 3. County judges are to as
spmble the teachers of their respective
| counties TO select books from the list
| furnished by the board, provided the
coz Vention OF teachers of each county
shall not adopt more than one book
on any one branch from the list pre-.
scribed; and failing to do so the board
shall select.
Sec. q. County Judges are to have
means adopted to have the children
supplied with the books at as small
cost rs possible, the dealers profits OF
the b oks being limited to not Over
twenty per cent. The contract Of Tie
state board for books, however, is not
to preclude the county judge from
negotiating with the publishers fol
better terms.
Sec. Z. No change of text books
adopted shall be made for period OF
six years, unless the state board anG
superintendent of education have 81,
perceded them by Others, when nee
essary.
Sec. 8. Prohibits any member Of the
board, the superintendent of educa
ton, county judges, school officers and
teachers of any public free school from
having any pecuniary interest in sup
| plying the books, nor act in any way
as an agent for publishers or authors
Nalers, Any such school officer OIL
~, er "a offending shall be guilty OF
mist,oulaanor under penalty from $5(
to $500, except where SUCH officer OF
teacher is the authcr Of book il
question.
Sec. 8. County judges are to inquire
and see that the teachers use the pre-
scribed books, subjectipg the teacher
| to penalty of loss of one months sala-
ry till the books are used as required
Section 10.-Prescribes minor re-
| quirements.
Section 11.-Introduction of the
new text books is to be graduated SC
as to cause little loss to those who
already have books and by the change
would have to purchase others, using
the new books only however in the for.
nation of new classes; provided that
after September 1886, only those that
| have been adopted can be used.
Section 12.-MapS and charts are in.
cluded il the meaning OF text books.
Section IL -GTUSti e5 Of any school
district or community, WITH approval
Of county judge may purchase text
books Tor those not able to purchase
them, provided the money so used
shall not exceed 800 for any one school
in any one year and shall be paid out
of the money set apart to the credit OF
the school district, or community
which so uses it, but the books so pur.
chased shall be returned to the school
district or community and remain the
property thereof.
Mr.. Robinson of Jack, offered
amendment adding TO section PRO
Yided this act shall not apply 10 coun'
ties where they have adopted a sys
TEN OF text books, and accepted {
substitute that when a county ha:
adoEte4 a uniform system, such
county shall be exempt from this re
quirement as long as such uniform
system is in force.
Mr.. Yeager offered a substitute TO
the bill, the main feature of which pro
Yides for the selection by the trustee
and teachers of counjys of a com
t mittee of teachers to lie secured as
text book committee, TO select book
etc. This. ne argued, would be
more democratic measure than tn
bill presented by the committee o.
education.
The bill and substitute were post
poned till Wednesday.
Substitute house bill 238, also
school bill amending present schoC
, law, was also postponed till Wednes
day.
The house considered house bill 81
{ relating to amendments of the perms
3 nent free school funds. Bill prepares
10y MT. Foster, of Grayson.
The bill having been previousl
considered, its provisions were the
reported. Bends to be purchased,
: viii be remembered, are to be sui
! mitted to the attorney general befor
3 being purchased. *. {,
Mr.. Hamilton argued that Thu
placed too much authority in the al
torney-general, and offered an amend
ment to cover this objection.
: Mr.. Foster argued that great prs
) caution should be required in the il
terest of the state, as under the con
7 stitution the state is held as indorse
: of bonds purchased, and liable {
make restitution to the school fun
in case of improvident purchase c
2 county bonds.
l Mr.. Underwood said in his bill
, house bill 129, he proposed to reStriC
the state officers so that bonds couI
| not be purchased at too high a rate c
too great discrimination be made i
: purchases of the bonds of differer
counties. The officers doubtless acte
3 in good faith, but sometimes they sac
: ed outside of the law.
The Hamilton amendment was los
as being unnecessary, and the bill wa
! ordered engrosSed.
l During the proceedings Gov. Irelan
sent in a message conveying a lette
l from EX-Gov. z. I'll. Bell, of TeXa
now in North Carolina, one whose lif,
the message recites, was devoted t
l the state, and whose claims demande
= its attention. The letter recites Co
5 Bells services and his claims for th
: action of the state In his behalf as
9 veteran in her service. The pTesen
pension law he argued was unjust il
{ that 1T deprived him and other Texs
2 veterans of the benefits when the
happen to reside outside of the stat,
a communication was read fror
! a number of convicts in the peniteI
3 tiary, complaining of the injustice c
5 their terms of Servitude and contend
ing that under law allowing defend
ants to testify In their own behal
their sentences would have bee
much lighter etc. Referred to tn
: committee on penitentiarieS.
House adjourned till 10 o'cloc
Wednesday morning.
SENATE.
r AUSTIN, TEX, February IL, 1885,
Senator Hall, by request of the &C
jutant-general, presented petltlo
from the stock raisers and others G
Weeb county, asking that the frontie
force be retained.
| H..sk