The record-union., 1891-01-22
FREE TEXTBOOKS
A s'Man Up Tree'' Discerns Som,
Trouble Ahead.

A s'Man Up q Tree' Discerns Some
Trouble Ahead.
EDS. RECORD UNION: I notice that
there is a probability of favorable action
on the part of the Committees of Educa-
ton of the Assembly and Senate, upon
the proposition to furnish free text
books, and it would seem to man up
tree that no better bill could be passed
for the purpose of doing away with
the State publishing its own textbooks;
and while this movement for free text
books may be introduced in all sincerity.
it will be well for the friends of the pres
ent system to consider the consequences
that would attend upon its passage. The
State now publishes certain books and
aims to supply others needed, at prices
fifty per cent. lower than the same grade
of books were furnished before the COM
| monwealth became book publisher,
and in all comparisons but of prices be-
tween those Of the State and the book
| ring, it should be insisted that those pre-
yailing three or four years ago be taken,
and not those at which the latter says it
will now furnish them. AT the present
| time the book ring claims that the former
disparity in price no longer exists, but it
may be assumed that the State, as a
| factor in competition, had an important
bearing in bringing about a reduction in
price, ifsuch really has been accomplished,
and that the latter removed from the field,
we should experience q return to the
| former high prices. Too much money has
already been expended by the State, and
1t has too valuable plant for the present
system to be lightly cast aside, and the
| duty OF our legislators is not to enact laws
| that will cripple the textbook industry,
but if there be defects, and no one will
| pretend that none exists, to apply reme-
dial legislation that shall effect reforma-
ton. Should the free textbook bill pass
an expense will be entailed OF not less
than Sl50,000 year, which on top of
| 100000 year now allowed the State
| Printing Office would entail an expense
that the general run of the taxpayers
would not stand long before very de-
| cided protest. Two or three years of this
would bring the time rife for the success
of the Vaccinations of the school book
ring, and the further publishing of text
| books by the State would be most Sc
that the State shall provide free books are
| friends of the publishing interest of the
| State, would 1t not be well for them to
pause and count the cost before pressing
| their measure to q successful issue. There
is no great clamor coming from parents
as to the great cost Of the State books, and
provision is already made for scholars
| whose parents are unable to supply their
wants in this regard. The parents know
that the State is furnishing books at q
price greatly reduced from a few years
ago, and in time these prices upon books
already issued can be made less, as the
cost of composition illustrations and
| plates Will be eliminated. In newspaper
communication but the bare outlines Of
an argument can be given, but | trust
that enough has been stated to cause the
movers of this measure to give the matter
serious consideration, and if so l am sat-
I isffed that it will be found that the project
| is not for the best interest Of the State.
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