The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-04-30
Is THE LIST FINISHED !
WHAT THE SUPERINTENDENT
SAYS ABOUT SCHOOL BOOKS.

oH > hOOO 0Of1OOL ~
Conflicting statements About the studies
for The Children Of yirginia-Wiil the
ALLEGED hook Trust be Given tho Con-
tract for Supplying Them
The school book tight before the state
Board of Education, is reaching climax.
TuE TIMES has kept its readers accurately
informed concerning the contest. Several
DAYS ago an account OF the proposed LIST
made up by The State superintendent Oh
Education. which had not been given Out
for publication,appoared exclusively in thi-
paper. since then matters have taken a
partial turn. and although some Of the
firms whose books were in this list were
notified that the books would be used. 10 },
probable that the Governor and Attorney
General. tine other two members Of the
board. viii not agree 70 the adoption OF the
list.
The feature ofthis proposed list is said 10
be that toe books were all published hl
The ALLEGED "trIst" firms with the eNcelr
ton Of one. which Is Maury
geography. All over the state
when this announcement was made in IHf
TIMES "a general disnpproval arose. sew
erai prominent disinteresied citizens have
since personally called upon members OF
the board. urging them that Southern au-
thOrs be n0t;laid aside for Northern authors.
simply because theirworks happened TO be-
published By one OF the big Four firms
which compose the 'trust," a. one Of them
put it.
NTHGINTA'S INTEREST.
The people OF Virginia have by far man
ifested "a greater interest IN this list than
that OF any previous year. as they are anNi-
Ousiy waiting 90 see if the children OF
Virginia are to be forced to study
book. written By Northern authors.
especially the histories and readers.
wherein it is natural that the deeds of
Northern men are augmented and those OF
Southern men ignored or sighted. Another
feature Of a change is the enormous expense
10 which the patrons OF public schools Will
Dee subjected. lfOuly four books on the list
are changed. the patrons Of schools, 10 is
SAID. will DE taxed 10 the extent OF over
100000. which they would not be otherwise.
Governor Mckinney. member Of the
board. when asked by the reporter If the
list had been made up. replied IN the mega
rive, and stated that none Of the looks had
been adopted.
Acknowledgement scott, the other men,
berof ihe Board, who has been absent from
the city for several days will return to-day.
and BIZ is probable that "a meeting Of the
Board Will be- held this week. when the
nuIl adoption will De made.
TO has been the precedent of tine State
Board of Education 90 select books solely
upon the recommendation of educators AN
over the state. Their views are obtained
and ihe civil officers. composing the state
Board OF Education. simply compared the
wishes Of teachers and made mp the list
thereffom. DR.. W. III. Ruluer that emf
ucnt educator for many years state super
intcudcni 0f Education for Virginia. and
who gave Toe matter of mOnOpOlies serious
consideration. had the following i'm his am
uuni report of 1874:
"ln the few states which had the temcrlty
CD try This scheme. the members Of the
EOlid Ol Education, vino were commonly
civil officers. chose the books and made the
great contracts. and hence were objects NJ
very special interest 20 D0Ok-Writers ana
k-puhllshors, for state book monopoly
WIS golden prize Of the first magni-
fudc. In some OF the larger States the
schools buy million OF dollars worth or
books every year. tWo-tnilds DlWhlch rs clear
profit fO the publishers or, at lens the cost
al Manufacture does not exceed Onc-thiid Of
fhe retail price. Hence stat monopoly go
lIll prices lot term OF years makes am enor-
nous fortune for the contractor 40 wonder
then that where there BIS "a State mono
pOlg ln the wind. the publishers tax their
necuni1fy and strategic abilities To
the utmost in order 90 win the splendid
prize. Ns class. book publishers are as
honor Bile as other business men, but there
arc amnug them. us iu cFcly other business
men who Will NOT scrupie t0 bride ciiieor, or
iO PACK boards of education. or To- do any
thing they dare DO fhlt viii contribute o.
tHclr suce 81. anu so heavy are the stakes
that they can some times ailord 10 make two
on three men rich in order To- win the prize
a gentleman who has been deeply inter
osted for years boo the work of education
m Virginia. said yesterday: II under
stand that an impression exists that
ihe publishing company which some
yelrsagO sought 90 give proper books for
Virginia Schools had ceased 10 Dee interest
I'd ln our schools. The aim of that conf
pany. in which Nnginians took stock.
which they still hold, was tO furnish text
books which should not bee sectional. bat
should not discriminate against the south
AS so many Northern text books do. Ac-
eorl'neiy they selected men like Maury.
Neuable and Holmes tor text books i'm their
various departments. This ! understand
Will be changed. Aside from the book trust
which shond DE fought. this question is "a
seru important one. for upon its settlement
depend. the determination OF the influences
Ulch Will educate oar Children