Telegram-herald., 1890-08-03
A STORMY SESSION
And the Text Book Question Laid
on the Shelf.
4 MINORITY AND MAJORITY REPORT.
The Bs&rd OF Education Had Lively
Tine Last Night-It nas Hare Tor
thu Members 10 agree on Amy
subieet-seho0i Hour Changes

ton, last night, Was a stormy one. The
Committee on Text Books presented
both a minority and a majority report,
but they were both relegated 10 the
place from which such matters seldom
return, by a motion 10 indefinitely
postpone, which was carried.
President Richards presided over the
session. and the following trustees were
present: Loeher, Wagner, Houseman,
Snyder, Fisher, Blair. Hustled, Mcbride,
Davidson, Felker and Goodrich.
A resolution was read from the Com
mittee on Schools. asking that an add
tional room be secured IN the vicinity
of the G.andyille-ayenue school, 10 ac-
commodate ff;y-four pupils, for whom
there was no room in the Grandyilie-
avenue school. Adopted.
The Committee on Schools also re-
ported IN favor of Trustee GOodrich's
resolution, asking that the public
schools be opened at Il. IN. and closed
AT p. IN. during September.
Trustee LOcher moved the report be
| adopted, but as a vigorous objection
/ arose, Mr.. Locher modified his motion,
asking for a twO-weeks' trial OF the sys-
| tenn. Trustee Houseman thought that
| from O'Clock until 1890 would be long
enough for continuous session, as the
children would become fatIgued and
restless If kept too long.
President Richards SAID the school
work takes all the time set down nthe
! schedule. In fact, more time is needed.
| If change is made, he said, IL would
necessitate a general change all around.
Secretary Stein said he thought the
matter should be referred TO commit
! tee on school hours.
On motion of Trustee Felker. the
! question was referred to the Joint Com
mittee on Schools.
| The fun of the evening started when
| Trustee Houseman presented minority
report of the special committee on text
books, IN which he reported against
selecting any one series of text books.
He stated that at present there are 1850
readers Of different kinds now in use IN
the schools of this city, and the greater
portion of them would be a total loss #
| any particular series were adopted. lie
also SAID that under the present system
the principals of the schools could Sc
lect their fayorlte text books. For
these reasons he moved that the report
be adopted.
This report was the cause of debate
that lasted nearly two hours, bringing
forth oil the LATENT oratorical powers
that could be commanded. Trustee
Mcbride was the first member on his
feet aud the chair recognized him. He
went into the history of the text book
question from beginning TO end.
He began by saying that Trus-
tee Houseman's motion and report
were entirely out of order. He said
that it was now nearly year since the
committee was appointed to consider
and report on one particular series OF
text brOks to be adopted. Time wore
away and no report was made. as 1t was
intlmated that trust of the book pub
fishers had been effected so as 10 keeT
up the prices. Finally the committee re-
ported IN favor of three different series
but the matter was referred back, as the
committee had not complied with the
instructions of the board.
"Now, how can Mr.. Houseman make
a report favorlng the adoption Of all OF
the books now in use?" concluded Trus
tee Mcbride.
President Richards was of the samC
opinion as Trustee Mcbride. and ruled
Trustee Houseman out Of order.
81 appeal from the decision of tho
chair" said Trustee Houseman.
A vote was taken and the chair wa
sustained by vote OF s TO ;.
Trustee Mcbride next presented the
majority vote, signed by himself and
Trustee Goodrich. recommending that
Raub's new Normal series of text books
be selected.
81 move that the matter be laid or
the table fora month :" shouted Trustee
Felker.
"Mr. President and trustees Of thC
Board ef Education, we have done on
duty" said Trustee Mcbride. "W,
have endeavored TO avoid the trusi
and have selected this text book
though we consider Harpers' and other
equally as good. The Board of Educa
ton demanded that we should name
one particular series, and We have don,
so. Now ] want 10 see itadOptcd."
Trustee Mcbride moved that the
rules be suspended and the report &C
eepted. This was amended bv Trustee
Housenan. who moved that the ques
ton be- indefinitely postponed.
al would ike little information or
this subject" said Trustee Fisher 4"
| understand that II text hook i
adopted. il can not be changed for fiv'
ycars This is according TO an act o
| the legislature. am not IN favor o
trusts. bat think we should know jus
exactly what We are going 10 e
before we accept the report. !. for one
have never seen this normal scbO0
series. aud VIII sec i before ] vote j
favor Of adopting -
He was Informed that the book Ia
been sent 70 him 20 examine a. had Al
the others, vhicn bad heen cOnsid Tered
Trustee Mcbride said that fhe 90
had a right 70 change text hooks AM
ti-ao It was necessary. lie referred @
c8se in Detroit. where qucst'o
arose as 10 the right q tho city to fui
= sh free text books IL was decide
that any c5fv under . charter had
b right to make change ai any time.
Trustee FISHER sad hc did rot n1dri
sfard the fno cases % Pc rarallei
Trustee Husted sad was sham
t. keep drr gElur fhs question alor
frar1 month fo month He said
looked &c if the board could nat max
decision.
The embodiment 81 indefinitely pos
ponc vac then taken up and carried b
= rrte of = to 5.
II would Ike - ssv p word IN th
I ouesto1 ROY u - settled, said Truste
+ f7oo1rlch.
An objection vac made fut fne chs
sa-a ~ c0uia Speak. Trustee f. -
arneaied from the decson. A rot
( vas tsken AID the char was decide
orf - or5eT,