The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-08-23
OFFICIAL SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS.

| The board of education met in special
session on Monday. August 22 at 4 o'clock
p H., with President Van Nuys in the
chair The members present were Stan
ley, Van Werden, Van Nuys, Campbell.
Powell, Cole and f. A. Davis, Mr. Ward
coming in shortly after the roll call,
Messrs Fazel, Allison Cox and DIR. Davis
| being absent.
The president stated that the meeting
had been called for the purpose OF deter
mining when the schools would resume.
On motion of Mr.. Campbell. seconded
by Mr.. Powell, the date for opening the
city schools was fixed for September II, or
the second Monday in September.
The following communication from Kos
Harris was read, there being no objections
offered:
Dr.. Van Nuys President. OF the Board Of Education
DEAR SIR: Referring to the matter,
concerning which we had some conversa-
ton, and starting with the settled PROPOSE
ton that it is the duty of the state
or government to provide and enforce
a system OF education, at least in the rud-
mentary branches for all children of a
school age; we are lead to the conclusion
at once that this duty includes the obliga-
tion TO provide the necessary books for
those children whose parents are unable TO
purchase them; and if for this class, why
great sacrifice to provide books; assuming
that the state should not have a compul
sorry system of education, if the result
causes hardship to any of its citizens we
naturally reach this conclusion. viz: That
IN both Glasses named theduty exists, hav-
Ing arrived thus far we next turn to the
means of revenue and find that all the
money, save school land income, is raised
by tax on all real estate, whether owned
by the rich or the poor or middle class,
and on personality above $500. We know
by observation that the real burden Of
taxation rests on the middle classes;
the poor escape by reason of
poverty, the rich by reason of rascallty,
which from the beginning of time legislil-
tlon has never been able o prevent There
fore we find that the middle class of So
ciety. bearing the burden of school taxes,
as well as all others, educate the citizen,
ana IN addition thereto. purchase school
books for their own children, aud year
by year, through the mercenary motives
OF Instructors. are compelled TO buy some
new book. Periodically the great school
book publishing houses infest city, county
or state, and through dishonest agents
and corrupt trustees, teachers, and even
school superintendents and school boards,
effect change at d cost of thousands os
dollars. The expense account of their
agents. as we'll as the fund set apart to
corrupt teachers and officers, goes into
their bid and the parents at last pay for il
all. In these days of trusts, combines and
territory contracts, we know that we are
at the mercy of the book concern, and
that competition cannot be had, because
only certain concerns come to Kansas. To
furnish books to all children; to have n
uniform system throughout the state and
have the state publish it's own school
books for all schools, supported by taxes,
Is the part of wisdom. Though the tax
levy may be small per cent. grester the
general saving TO the taxpayer will COM
pensate for 1t, the cost of the books will be
lessened one-half even if the legislature de-
cideS to sell the books to those able to bu'.
Naturally we all think an idea we pet $
worthy consideration and | believe this
merits discussion and investigation. And
would be pleased 10 observe our school
board take the lead; appoint committee:
draft circular letter, and send copy OF
same 20 school boards throughout Kansas;
urIng them to adopt the plan; see their
representative and senator this fail: |
organize their county in scuool
districts also suggest meeting or con-
ventiOn TO agree upon bill to be enacted,
get up a petition To be circulated and
81 gned by all taxpayers in the state. aud
send nOnest, able, fearless men to Topeka
to fight the lobby the school book trust
VIII send TO Topeka 10 defeat the bill.
Even If unsuccessful this year IL may be !
the opening wedge for future action.
Trusting this may meet your views, and |
that you place same before the board, |
am. Truly, Kos HHRRIs.
On motion of Mr.. Campbell, seconded |
by Mr.. Stanley, the president was en- /
powered To appoint committee Of three |
to investigate the matter and report at the /
next regular meeting. The president ap. /
pointed Messrs- Campbell, Van Werden |
and f. A. Davis the committee on text |
books and course of Stady
Mr.. Davis moved that when we adjourn \
We adjourn tU meet on N Net4nesday i ug n
at O'Clock p. IN, To transact whatever
business may properly come before the
board. The motion carl led
On motion the board then adjourned.
J. D. VAN NUS,
7. j. IRWIN. President.
Secretary