Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-01-03

strued that the text for books may be had
from foreign sources 1t would have been
very easy matter for the Overland to have
printed the amendment. But by so doing
it would have exposed its apparent lament
able ignorance. We do not propose to in
suit its intelligence by assuming that it is
ignorant; but one conclusion, therefore, is
to be reached, that it has assumed its pres
ent position for the express purpose of mis-
leading by disseminating false information,
and thusfostering ignorance in others as a
weapon of assault. The amendment in
question is very simple, and not subject to
any ambiguity of Interpretation. 1t reads:
The Governor, Superintendent of Public In
struction and the Principals of the State Nor
NAL Schools shall constitute the State Board of
Education, and shall compile, or cause to be
compiled. and adopt a uniform series of text
books for use in the common schools throughout
the State. The State Board may cause such
text books, when adopted, 10 be printed and
published by the Superintendent of State Print
ing at the State Printing Office and when so
printed and published, to be distributed and
sold at the cost price of printing, publishing ard
distributing the same. TketeXt-books so adopt
ed shall continue in use not less than four years:
and said State Board shall perform such other
duties as may be prescribed by law. The Legis-
lature shall provide for Board of Education in
each county in the State. The County Superin-
tendent and the County Boards of Education
1,F III,
ers and the granting Of teachers certificates
within their respective jurisdictions.
1t will be seen that the Board of Educa-
ton is to Compile or cause to be complied
and adopt" etc. It has the authority,
therefore, to employ any one to compile
books. whether he he a resident of Califor-
MIA or Greenland, the United States Or
the provinces of Australasia. There is
nothing in the amendment requiring the
books to be produced in California" ex-
cept 50 far as the mechanical labor of
printing them is concerned. There is
nothing to prevent the adoption" Of
compilations already made in any part of
the globe, or by any person whomsoever.
Concerning another matter in this con-
nection, the constantly iterated assertion
that there will be steal in the publ
cation of the books, we have taken pains
to ascertain the exact facts. The only
steal that appears to he at all possible, is
that which might be made by the legisla-
tors, who, for coin, might enter the lists
against the amendment and in the inter
ests of the book ring-but we are not, be it
understood, for an instant assuming that
there are any such. The Superintendent
of State Printing does not handle a dollar
of money. He buys The stock for his de-
partment through bids on offered contracts
after public notice given. The Board Of
Examiners pass upon all bills, and the
State Controller has the power Of superyis-
ion and disapproyal also. The stock used
in State printing consists of staple arti
cles with constantly quoted prices, and
there can be no successful deceit
practiced relative to the price for
paper of stated weight and quality. Every
newspaper and other publisher and printer
and dealer in printing supplies in the
State is fully advised concerning prices
and qualities of paper stock. The State
Board of Education does not handle dol
lar of money. There is no opportunity to
steal in the book printing, except it is by
the connIvance of the Superintendent of
Printing, the State Board of Examiners,
the State Controller and the State Board
Of Education. If these four distinct de-
partments do not constitute a sufficient
check against dishonesty, then no check is
possible. We trust that we have heard the
last of the absurd plea that it is dangerous
to give effect to the constitutional amend
ment because somebody may steal some
thing.
So too, It is to be boped that there has
been made an end of the pitiful objection
that it will not do to legislate in a man
ner friendly to the amendment, for fear
that we may not get as competent men to
compile books as private publishers secure.
In some respects. be it added, il would be
impossible 10 produce poorer textbooks
than some Of those now in use. Under
the present system We are liable to have
foisted upon us sets Of books got up sim
ply to sell and to be forced to accent
ffty-eight different sets of books according
to the vhims and moral weakness of fifty
eight Boards Of Education. No departure
from that system can make our condition
.,s,r-.-