West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1891-02-19
THE PUBLICATION OF SCHOOL
TEXT BOOKS.

The State OF California has made
costly experiment in the publish
ing business. 1t has 80 far invest
ed over 100000 in the psternal
attempt to cheaper the supply and
better the quality Of school books.
The following letter by the state
Superintendent II public instruc-
ton, himself promoter of tho ex-
pertinent, shoald be read by the
advocates Of like experiment, in
West Virginia who are laying the
foundation for raid on the State
treasury:
SACRAMENTO, Dec. 26, 1890
Dear Sir: In reply to your late in
qairy concerning the publication of
school textbooks by the State Of
California, have had SO many sim
liar inquiries from your own and
other States that l have concluded
to make q general statement in re-
gard to the practical results Of our
experiment in state publication of
text books.
For over four years this plan has
had fair and impartial trial in our
State. l came into office q believer
in the project, aud every aid which
l could give to It's successful issue
has been freely rendered through
out my administration. But now,
IN the light of my experience,
must acknowledge that the results
have not met my expectations.
In the first place the expense has
been great, over $500, 900 having
been appropriated thus far for the
compilation of the series and the
manufacture of the first so 600
copies Of each book. Ten books
have so far been issued, and three
more are yet to come TO complete a
full series as required by our law.
Whatever may be the advantages
claimed for State Publication by be-
levers IN paternal plan of govern
ment, the result of the experiment
IN our State shows that it cost the
State more to manufacture the
books than it would cost n private
publishing house for obvious rea.
sons. Besides this, there is in Q
SCats series lack of spontaucity
and competition in authorship.
! When the State board EMPLOYS
m author or compiler 1T must ac
eept and pay for his work whether
1t be suitable or not; and the gu.
pervision and compilation of tn,
series OF school books by a state
board whose memberships are sub
jects to frequent changes, ond who
are already burdened with other
duties, is attended with difficulties.
While our State board has been
jealous and has done the best il
could IN making State series.
regret that its efforts have not met
the requirements Of the schools oil
che expectations Of our leading edu.
Gators, as shown by the following
resolution, adopted at the Biennial
Convention of California Schoo
Superintendent held on Decent bel
2 and 1890:
"REsoLvED. That while certain
OF the State text books, notably tn,
Primary language Lessons and tn,
Elementary Geography, have me-
the approval of the public schoo
teachers Of the State. we desire t,
record our severe criticism and dis
approval of others of the state scrie,
and express our judgment thai
their thorough revision by comps
tent authors, so as to adapt them /,
the wants of the schools, is imper
ative and should be entered upol
at once"
In the light Of our experience. az
ter four years Of trial, / am there
fore compelled, with personal re
lactsnce, to acknowledge to tn,
comparative want of success in oul
California experiment in making
and publishing school books. TAX.
ing into consideration the large ap
propriatlons made and the further
and constant outlays for reyiaons,
new plates etc. the same number oil
books can be purchased in the open
market at wholesale prices for les.
than il costs the State to manufae.