The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-02
A UNIFORM TEXT BOOK BILL.

uOn VI SaDDulallunlSm.
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A UNIFORM TEXT BOOK BILL.
Mr.. Goodwln's bill TO amend the public school
law and 10 provide for the adoption Of a uniform
series Of text books was made the special order for
Tuesday, March u, at II o'clock a. m.
The bill provides for the appointment by the su.
promo Court OF a stats Board OF Public School
Books TO be composed Of three members lone from
each divison-whose duty Il shall be 10 select and
establish uniform series OF text books 10 be used
In the public schools for period Of not less than
six years provided. that this act shall not inyal
idalo any contracts now existing In any OF tho
counties OF the State for the purchase OF school
books, but shall apply thereto at the expiration
Of such contracts
The board are required to meet In Nashville and
organize by elscting president and secretary, and
whom so organized shall cause TO be inserted In
newspapers published In Boston, Philadelphia aud
Chicago an advertisement requesting all pub
fishers OF school books u send for the boards in-
hpcotlon copies OF their books aud terms Of sale,
aud al second meeting after such examination Il
made the board shall select from such samples
uniform series Of textbooks.
The bill does not apply 10 cities and towns not
under the c0ntrol OF the County Superintendent Of
Public Instruction. District directors are required
TO notify the teachers TO Introduce and adopt In
their schools the books selected by the State
Bard, aud any teacher failing % carry out these
instructions within six months after the receipt Of
such notice shall be removed Il Is made the duty
Of the State Board TO notify the County superin-
tendcnt what series Of text books have been Sc
lec,el and said Superintendent shall give notice
N the Secretary Of the District Board Of Directors
The bill makes II felony for any member Of the
state Board 10 accept any bribe. money or other
consideration for voting for the selection OF any
particular book or books, and upon conviction
thereof shall be Imprisoned In the penltoniary not
less than two nor more shan five yoans- Nishrtle
BunTs L0iddiirc Report. ThHrsddy's Proceedings.
TnE APPEAL is Of tho opinion that tho
people Of the State will object to this bill;
that It's provisions are unconstitutional,
because 1t is special aud no, general in its
provisions; that II is notapplicable TO all the
schools that receive aid from the State
school fund; also, that II is unconstitu-
tional because IL contemplatcs the select
ing Of one series Of school books to the ex-
clusion Of all Others. Section s, Of article
NJ, Of the State Constitution, reads that
"the Legislature shall have no power 10
suspend any general Jaw for the benefit
"oi any particular individual, nor to pass
"any law for the benefit Of individuals,
Inconsistent with tl,e general laws Of the
'land; nor TO pass any law granting 10
"any individual or individuals rights,
privileges, immunities or exemptions,
"olher than such as may be, by the same
'law extended TO any member OF the
community who may be able 10 bring
himself within the provisions OF such
Claw" Besides this, We believe II is uD.
constitutional because It confcrs the APP
pointing power, In all cases lodged in the
Governor, upon the Supreme Court, whose
functions are wholly judicial, It's appoint
ments being limited TO clerks and report
ers. But these aside, there are other OBJ
jcciions, among them The following made
by The Nashville American, when this
question Of uniform text books was first
mooied;
The Interview published In yesterdays Ameri.
oaH With State superintendent Smith sets forth
sinong fcasons against the pasago Of any law pro.
vidinr ior uniform system ri text books ior the
public schools throughout the Stats. M AnoiclH
has l,ccn opposed 10 such a scheme from the
beginning, and enicu ~ most emphatic protest
against the passage Of any such law. The OK.
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cummend u here. aud u has not iniroquonuy
bccn the soune Of scandal % Il Is always
source Of suspicion and charges Of iAvorltlsm
and johhory. uniform sysicm Of school text
books a. provided In the BIN which ha. been
introduced On tho Senate. would simply he a
biz monopoly iattoncd upon the entire State by
time men. aud ono which. once getting a grip,
would ho hard o. shake iooo II j. bctlrr 10 leave
thee lifting, with che County supcrintcndenis aud
the Disiric, plr.ciors A. Capt smith says nov
han hall the COUNTIES Of the State have alrcady
adopted uniform systems q text books q their
oun acoofd. the-o vary, u cour,c according 10 the
iidcrCnt tastes aud opinions In the different
couuiins and We think u Il we'll that Il should H.
3D. The public school syaiem II the STATE IL stead
Ny and constantly improving and the people aru
tccomlug oycry year morc appncistlvc oi H. ben.
ohts Any Violent Interference. such a. that pn,.
p0so.i IN NE blil rvicfrd IN. with the existing
coalition uf thiuFs aud sudden and sweeping
/ change n the toHt hooks adopted all over the
/ sute would h. fruitful Of dissatisfaction aud
/ complaint our public Schools aw doing wen
enough. Don't Try b. legislaie TOO much improve
mcnt Into the sysiom. -Nothrls Aapioia.
Nearly al the leading journals Of the
State have united with The Amerioan In
those objections TO a uniform school book
law. They don't want the State to 20 into
partnership with any Publishing house,
aud would greatly prefer that ~ ai present
the selection q school books be leii 10 the
County Supcrinicndonts, who are close to
the parents Of the children. and are thus
able 10 meet their wishes In that matter.
Tho school books now In use give saiisiac.
ton, and the people have not asked nor
even limited nj a desire for such measure
~ this introduced by DR.. Goodwin. Tho
Legislature will act wisely II II lets the
school book matter severely alone.
|
WngS one reads the speech delivered
by Mr.. Gladstone In Parliament Yesterday