Morning journal and courier., 1889-10-19
COST OF FREE TEXT BOOKS.

=
free text books in the public schools was
given by Dr. Carmslt at the meeting Of the
board Of education last night. The letter of
EX-GOVERNOR O. R. Ingersoll in relation to
free books was long and exhaustive. The
meeting was quiet one and every member
of the board was present. An application
for copying machine to be used by the
young ladies In the training school evoked
much discussion. The machine was intend.
ed TO tighten the work of the young ladies
in copying the notes which they take during
lectures. 1t was objected to chiefly because
IL would tend to lessen the mental work OF
the students. The notes are taken hurriedly
and improperly and the use of the machine
IL intended to assist In celebrating them.
As It IL there has been much complaint from
the young ladies because of the laborioue
work of copying. II took an extra four hours
day and was q constant wear upon their
health. Superintendent Dutton and Miss
Vogel, principal Of the training school, both
recommended the adoption of the machine,
a. II would prove most beneficial on every
hand. After short debate the board voted
to purchase machine and put IL In use as
soon a. possible.
Principal French of Skinner school wrote a
letter asking for half barrel of lime, a
whitewash brush and one Beers' improved
scraper. A smile passed around the board
a. Major Strong read the letter and it was
referred to the committee to inquire and re-
port.
Major Strong, chairman of the committee
on school buildings, then continued to read
requests for small repairs or improvements,
such as wheelbarrow for one janitor, gas
jet for another, smoke-pipe in the Grand
avenue school, and the like. He said that
the committee had been accustomed to see to
board with the details, but he had heard
during the summer that It had been stated
that the committee ON buildings had spent
1000 or 81, 900 'irregularly, !" and he wished
to be sure that such was not the case.
On tho question Of giving jsnitors extra
pay for the care Of night schools, Mr.. Leigh
favored the idea, but Howarth said they were
already paid enough. The motion was re-
fcrred to the committee to report.
Major Strong recommended that the I'M
used rooms in the Ferry street school be
used as q storehouse for the odds and ends
among the property of the district. It was
so decided.
The matter Of procuring slate blackboards
for the Lawrence street school was referred
to the building committee with power
There are no slater in New Haven, so Major
Strong said, and IL will take about four weeks
before bids can be obtained and decided up
on. The slate boards in the new Webster
school building are completed.
Superintendent Dutton said that the time
was approaching when another school build
ing will have to be built west of the Lloyd
street school. This building is already
crowded.
The superintendent reported the night
schools in fns order. That in High school
building has about sixty scholars.
The matter of laboratories for teaching
chemistry was urged to the attention of the
board. The building committee stated that
they would soon decide whether to secure the
old house adjoining High school for this pur-
pose.
The report of expenses for the month of
September amounted to $40, 200. OF this,
zee, $40 was used to take up a note. OF the
remaining sum, $1s, 11o, was spent in sala-
ries.
The special committee appointed to inves-
tigate and report upon free text books and
the mode of supplying and preserving them,
reported that they had obtained legal advice
In the matter and offered a letter from ex-
Governor @. R. Ingersoll, In which the ex-
governor gave his opinion that the district
had no legal right to furnish the scholars in
with anything more than was
necessary in the routine of school work. Such
snAnBb ~ S0Dob huu DihckuOaEQb were ueeu
- comparisons.
The committee also reported that to fur
nish the present number of scholars with
books at the retail price would cost $17,-
916.16. At the Wholesale price, or 1-6 per
cent discount which would be had, the cost
would be $14,384.44. This did not include
the High school, where the cost would be
81, 026 90, or "a, 607. 40 with the discount
Copy books would cost 81 ,023.57 and die
tionaries would cost $500, making the total
cost to the district amount to $40, 707.S2.
The following resolutions were then offered
by Mr.. Adler;
Whereas, The voters Of the New Haven city
ct the last annual school district meeting that the
district should furnish the scholars attending the
pense OF the district; therefore
Resolved, That for the purpose Of carrying out
the Expressed wish Of the voters, in legal manner
seiectmen Of the town OF New Haven to give notice
In the call for the next annual town meeting that
q 81 % 81 Se be
text books and supplies in accordance
with section 2,l24 o: the revised statutes.
DR.. Carmalt spoke strongly against
the idea of free books. He said he thought
each man should work for himself He
didn't think 1t strengthened the sinews of o
to feed II with public pap"
Mr.. Leigh said the great point with free
books was that II you compelled q child to
60 to school, you must give IT tools to work
with. The High school attendance was not
and therefore did not come under
this principle.
The resolution was put to vote. DR.. Car
malt was the only member who voted against
1t.
The board adjourned Its meeting TO next
Friday night.