The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-07-26
GEORGIA'S SCHOOL BOOKS
SCHOOL COMMISSIONER BRAD
WELLS INVESTIGATION.

SCHOOL COMMISSIONER BRAD
WELLS INVESTIGATION.
A Laborious and Thorough Investiga
ton Under the Resolution OF the Leg
islature The Commissioner Finds
That school Books Cost Too Mucl
and That Changes are 90 Frequent
ATLANTA, GA, July Estate Schoo
Commissioner Brsdwell, under a resolution
of the legislature passed at the last session
has completed report upon the subject Of
school books. The invest CATION has been 6
laborious one. Opinions were obtained
from the heads of the public school system
OF nearly every state in the union. In clos
ing, Capt. Bradwell submits the following
conclusions After much thought and
study have arrived at the following con
illusions, which, in my opinion, are clearly
deducible from the information submitted /;
81. School books cost too much.
40 Changes are too frequent.
'3. Free text books cannot be furnished by
the state. 1t would be impracucaole ana
unwise.
"a. The state cannot, under the constitu-
tion, invest her money in plant and machln-
cry, employe printers aud laborers and
publish her own books Therefore the idea
of the state publishing the school pooAS
direct is discarded entirely.
as. County uniformity which is now tne
law in Georgia cannot and Will not secure
any further reduction IN tne price u Ooo C;a'.
IS ANY change looking toward securing
ehean books. good books and nonpartlsan
books involves the question OF state uni
fornity. | am therefore forced TO the con-
clusion that state uniformity is the only
basis unon which beneficial results can be
obtained.
WHY IT is DESIRABLE.
az. State uniformity is desirable for
the following reasons:
81. It Is more in accord with the spirit
and letter OF the constitution, which r.
quires that the system shall be as nearly
uniform as practicable. Uniform books
will help the system of uniformity. One
great obstacle in the more efficient opera
ton Of system is a want OF uniformity.
't2 The experience Of other state shows
that state uniformity secures cheaper and |
better books. 1t cannot be disputed that |
1877, 900 books can be bought cheaper than |
1000.
silt would be to the advantage of teach
increased proficiency.
"a 1t would also be greatly to the advan-
tage Of scholars who 90 from common
schools to the higher institutions of learning
that are under the patronage and authority
Of the state.
SO. Its advantages would be apparent
when applied to county line schools, and
when the parents move from one county TO
another.
SO 1t will save so per cent to the parents
who will, when one series of books only is
used, be forced to buy fewer books, as
these books can be handed down in the
family TO the younger children. 1t is a
well-known fact that there are more dis
carded school books in almost every house
in Georgia than those in actual use.
ONE CONTRACT.
80. It would be subject matter OF one
contract instead Of 1877, and therefore better
books, better in text and quality, could be {
obtained for less money.
So 1t would not be barrier to progress
Of bookmaking, remem bering that the state /
has only to deal with the primary studies. '
The higher branches would be exempt from l
It's operations There has not been much !
Improvement in the elementary branches in /
the last ten or twenty years The multiple
cation table like the decalogue is perfect.
The improvement is in the method, and the
method is the proper study Of the teacher,
not the scholar.
"9. The objection that state uniformity
10 be effective must be compulsory is not [
.aken into consideration, for the law makes
county uniformity compulsory, and it is
simply changing the machinery from the
county to the state. The state is sover- {
'ign, the county is not.
10. State uniformity is no more monop-
)IV than comfy uDifOrnjfv A |
natter OF voluntary contract on the part
II both parties cannot be monopoly.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
"Recommendations-In view of this in
ormatioD and the facts obtained by close
esearch, backed by long experience in the
chool-room, and actuated by an earnest
lesire to discharge properly the duty owe
o the children of Georgia, in obedience to
be demands of the resolution. l recon-
mend that book commission consisting of
he state board of education and five prac-
zeal educators, to be composed of the chan
'eIlor OF the state university, one superin-
endent of city system and their edu-
,ators, who are identified with the
common school system, be appointed by the
governor, and that said commission be en-
powered TO contract with a publisher for
me series of books to be furnished dealers
n the state, after advertising for bids.
when such terms as will secure O reasonable
in price, and that the contract
hall be for five years. | further recon-
mend that if the general assembly should
add to the branches now taught history
81 Georgia and an elementary treatise on the
that the book commission be
empowered to contract with Georgia
authors for the text, the COMPENSATION 10
be paid the authors out of the school funds.
and to contract with the publishers for the
printing of the same. / also recommend
that the series of books, when adopted.
shall be used 10 all the schools which receive
any aid from the state under penalty of the
forfeiture of their pro rata share of the
common school fund. Respectfully sub.
mitted, s. D. BRADwELL.
State School Commissioner.
What the legislature will do remains to |
be seen.