The record-union., 1892-12-12
STATE TEXTBOOKS.
They Were Not Condemned by the
Superintendent Convention.
State School superintendent Anderson
Talks Freely on the Subject
Give Them a Chance.

j. w. Anderson, Superintendent of
Public Instruction, was seen by REC
oRD-CNIoN reporter yesterday, and in
reply to questions regarding the Conven-
ton of School Superintendents held in
san Francisco, over which he presided,
he stated that he was well pleased with
the work done.
The school law" said Mr.. Anderson,
was more thoroughly overhauled than
1t had been since it was formulated. The
convention, which lasted four days, was
very busy one and differed materially
from anything of the kind held in past
years. Representative from nearly all
the counties and schools in the State were
present, and as l had previously made
memoranda of subjects for consideration
and revision-an outline Of the work to
be done-it aided us greatly.
Heretofore it has been customary for
superintendent from all over the State
10 meet Tor a day and adjourn without
having had time to accomplish much. A
day was just about time enough in which
they could get together and get ready for
work, and it was absurd for representa-
tlyes from Siskiyou to San Diego to get
together and expect to do anything in
that time.
I'm regard to the work of this conven-
tlon, the San Francisco papers had full
and tolerably accurate accounts of our pro-
ceedlngs, but by some misunderstanding
/ they reported certain resolutions passed
which were not acted upon at all, but
merely proposed and referred To the
Committee on Resolutions, who did
nothing IN the matter.
A resolution was introduced by John
SWEET TO ask an appropriation from the
State for the revision Of the arithmetic.
and another by H. Wagner of San Jose
which criticised and condemned some
OF the textbooks, but neither of these
resolutions were acted upon further than
TO refer them to the Committee on Reso-
lutions.
Il was opposed to the introduction Of
resolutions at the convention, as we had
a great deal Of work to do, and not time
enough to waste any in discussion OF
the kind proposed.
In regard to the discussion which has
arisen as to the new system of text
books, think the action taken by the
Alalneda Institute was premature, and
that they did not give the matter enough
consideration. a number OF papers have
also sad more against them than was
warranted.
Il have made diligent inquiry" con-
tnued Professor Anderson, ito find out
II there were any schools in the State not
using our textbooks, and | find that
they are i'll use everywhere Only one
county was found to be using other
| books, in the third year, and 1 gave in
structlons that they should use the books
! provided by law, or their apportionment
OF State funds would be withheld,
I The decreased sale Of the textbooks is
IN great measure readily accounted for
| by the fact that when family Of children
Is once supplied with a set of books they
pass from one child to another. and in
many instances but lew new ones are
needed. There is no county, and-so far
as have learned by inquiry-no school
in tho State which has has not adopted
the new books.
In regard to their value. and the re-
suits OF the new system, it will require a
reasonable time to demonstrate it, and
they are bound to stand or fall after be-
ing thoroughly tried
In regard to the suspension of editor
ln-chief of textbooks, Professor Raw
mond, 1t was found that there was barely
enough money in the fund appropriated
1or the purpose to maintain the Office for
| the present month, and it was necessary
to dispense with his services until further
provision could be made"
Professor Anderson expressed himself
as well pleased with the work accom-
plished by the convention, and said that
many careful changes had been arranged
and general revision of them outlined.