The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-09-14
ANCIENT TExT-BuOkS.
Will They he Continued In the
Schools Of Washington:

There is manitesily something out of
orier in regard Ia the kind and Gus, OF the
school books now used in the public
sch OILS of seattle and throughout the
territory, and as TIE subject is al import
ant one both 10 old aud young. PosT-
iSrELLIGESCER reporter yesterday made
fuil Inquiry concerning the same.
Al ole of tie no X stores he was sho@n
he MonieIth gvos Tsphfes now In use in
the schools. the territorial map OF which
does not show or indicate the towns of
Eiiensbarg, Marysyiiie, .skaeIt, kelso.
Ruby CiEy, Paseo nor Spokane Falls, while
ancient sle.laeoom appears IN capital ct
tiers.
The recent history Of the textbook
question sas then inquired Into from al
author. tatise source, With tue following
result
ga tse ah of July last, the board OF ed
ncsiion OF this territory met at olympia
10 Adopt "A series OF textbooks aceordih <
10 law, and attend TO other business eol-
uected with the pubic school department.
On the 9Th they opened proposals received
from twenty -four different publishing
houses in al parts OF the United states
they remained in session during five days,
comparing and considering prices and
propositions
On the Is h they passed resolution that
they would not adopt any text books
other than those that were absolutely es-
sentiai to the welfare Of the public schools
With that rule III view they made certain
changes. From Montieth's old ereogra-
ply series TO that OF swiuton. In eiemen-
terry arithmetic, 20 complete the series al.
ready in use, they adopted Robinson's first
book, by a unanimous vote. They also
| adopted the Modern speller published by
| fainter Bros. OF New York, in place of the
Watson spellcr now in use. This con
eluded al the changes that were made.
They then entered into contracts with
publishing houses. rsquirins them 20 file
bonds for the faithful fultlllment of said
contracts, and urged upon the representa-
tves OF said houses Gwho We're then ut
Olympisl, that IL WAS important TO tele-
| graph for the necessary supply of the
newly adopted school books This was
| done and $500 worth of school book.
were shipped here across the continent
from New York, consigned 10 the book
dealers throughout this territory
On the 18th of August three members of
| the territorial board OF education, out
of the Eve. held an authorized meeting to
reseinG the action previously taken by a
| fun board, and for what reasons have not
| yet been clearly made public.
An action was then brought TO ascertain
whether said second meeting had been
| legally held. The couft thereupon de-
| cid'-d that they had ne power whatever to
| hold said meeting or To take such action
| series of Biographies, consisting of
/ thFe books, have been continuously used
| in this territory for q period of fifteen
years, aud such rs are net now in use in
any other state or territory in the Union
/ They are obsolete. These are Mentieth's
| old series, the introductory book costing
/ - cents, and being worth about IS cents
| Toe Manuel OF Geography. costing &Ii5,
| thought TO Toe dear az 50 cents and the
larges, one-Montieih's Physical aud Po-
| litical Geography. costing I'll e., being old
| and unrevIS.d with scarcely any getgra
| ply OF the Pacific coast. has 40 real value
| " halcyer
| The books that were legitimately sdor-
/ tad al Olympia and or tered by the board
| OF educAtiop, are ~ per agreement, the
I most carefully hound. completely illus-
| tra'ed and latest revised school books
| ever yet pubI shed, and costing 20 Der
| cent less than the old ones now in use.
In view Of all this the following qnes-
( ton now presents Itself - the taxpsVers
and specially to all the parents oi school
/ children toT what reason are these pnh-
/ Iic officers OF thls territory endesvorirg 10
( continue iae use OF old aud expensive
/ books. after they have officially adopt d
snd ordered better, newer and cheaptsr
/ ones. corrected mp 10 date
In view 81 these circumstances the case
/ has been taken into court, by q writ of
msnismus brought sgsinst the school
superintendent Of King county. to compel
compliance with the contract The cas-.
Viii come up for hearing. before Judge
HsnfoFi. Ia the district court TODAY