The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-02

Second Reader leo pages 80 cents Third Reader,
208 pages, 80 cents; Fourth Reader, 256 pages, 60
cents; Fifth Reader, 352 pages. s. cents and all
of which are small octave volumes.
Now, anybody that knows anything knows
that these prices bear no comparison to the cost
of production. A little Second Reader. contain
ing five sheets of paper, illustrated with
a few common woodcuts, bound in
pasteboard, of an edition of three mill
ion copies does not cost half as much
per copy as Harper's Magazine yet it commands
the same price. Harpers Weekly contains more
than half as much utilized space as Second
Reader, is issued week in and week out every
number varying its matter and illustrations, yet
the latter is compiled-TH not say edited
eectrotyped run off by the million copies and
sold for three and half times the price of the
former. No one will intimate that the Weekly
suffers in any way. mechanically or intellectually,
by comparison with the Reader
The way the law now stands the people are
helpless from the demands and exactions of
these nonopoliSts. A remedy can only be had
by legislation. Under the present law the Board
of Education selects a series of books to be used
in the schools and when the selection is once
made there can be no change for the succeeding
six years without the unanimous consent of the
board, There is nothing to compel the publish
of the series to furnish the books at the then
or at any stated price. If they choose to adj
vance the price it must be borne all the old
books lost as the law requires uniformity in the
books used There are none OF the advantages of
establishment of a monopoly without some sort
OF an equivalent In return. The burden is grew
GUS, but the people have borne It heroically.
Something ought to be done by the coming Leg
islature TO relieve a heavily burdened people
fl ON this monstrously exorbitant taxation.
The following is an outline of d remedy,
which may not completely reach the desired end,
but is evidently step in the right direction:
Frst-Create county board Of education, con-
sisting of the township trusees of the county,
and the county superintendent
Socond-Make it the duty of this board, at
stated times to make list of all the books
which will be needed in the public schools for
the ensuing five years, and to advertise for bids
for furnishing the same, letting the contract to
the lowest and best bidder each bidder to furnish
sample copy of each book proposed to be fur
nished giving the price, and all Of which shall
be equa! to the sample; and to give bond in
sufficient sum to insure the performance of the
contract
Third-Have the auditor of the county to draw
his warrant for all bills for books furnished I'M
der the contract Immediately on the delivery of
the same.
Fourth-Make the county superitendents Of
flee repository of school books, have that
official to attend one day in each week, and to
sell the same for cash at the actual cost price.
and turn the proceeds into the county treasurer's
Office monthly.
Fifth-Make it\a penalty for any one of the
board to be interested in any contract for books,
and require additional bond of the county super
lntendent.
Sixth-In Incorporated cities have the school
trustees, with county superintendent, constitute
the city board of education, and confer upon
them like powers with reference to selection Of
and contracting for books, that are conferred
upon the county board of education.
This plan would be attended with but little
expense, and would utilize Office, the expense
of which is considered out of all proportion to
the benefits derived. and give the people the ben
eft of competition in the purchase of school
books EDUCATOR.
DEC. 81 1884.