St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-03-23

to the senate bill, for he thought the
optional provision wise and just.
Senator Tawney followed in a power
ful speech favoring the house file. lie
reminded the coaljutors that i'll st
Charles the free text book system is in
operation, and the general effect has
been eminently satisfactory, and that it
had greatly increased the average at
tendance in the schools. Senator Day
wanted to confess that he felt that the
principal is q good deal of humbuy,
for he did not believe that free text
books mean free text books. Still. there
is 4 public sentiment built up for the
adoption of the measure, and he would
vote for the house file, but he would
oppose the Smith bill because he did not
believe in examining the system down
the Threats of the people willy nllly.
Senator Crate asserted that it IS only
people who are progressive Ill
their views that favor the bill,
and he insisted that it is
the teacher and the superintendent who
have the advancement of the children
most at heart. They all favor the pro-
posed system, and when Senator Crate
sat down, Senator Keller took the floor
and opposed the bill in a particularly
hot speech. Senator Lienau confessed
that he had beer converted to the wis
dom of a free text book law since the
last session of the legislature. and he
argued at length for the house bill. lie
hoped that no amendment will encum-
Der the measure, and Senator Davis
thought the senate was largely in favor
of the measure, and all are agreed upon
the fact the public schools are the
Great Rulyark of the Nation.
He felt inclined towards the cOmpul-
sorry bill, but he knew that NlcOllet
county would like the privilege of v0t-
ing upon the matter. Senator LOmmen
made level speech. He did not like to
trust the boards with the power of Sc
Letting the books, but thought that duty
should be delegated to an expert com
mission. Moreover, he favored making
the child a present of the book after he
had mastered it, for the senator appre-
ciated the benefits that must accrue
from furnishing children with bright,
clean and new books instead of passing
old, soiled and Lalf worn out books to
them after having been turned over to
the board by another child. Senator
Smiths substitute was lost 80 to Z. Then
Senator Smith urged that, although tbs
house file did not meet his ideal, 1t will
ieOpardiZe the measure by attaching
any amendments. The bill, though i'm
perfect, is a step in the right direction.
Senator Craven offered an amendment
to section 10 provide that the QueS-
ton shall be submitted to town cleo
tons and that the provision of the act
shall 20 into effect upon majority vote,
and he supplemented it with vigorous
and earnest speech. He followed i'll the
strain started by Senator LOmmen-
that the child should be given new
book after passing from an old book.
Again, he thought the possibility OF
discrimination on the part OF the teacher
in distributing books TO pupils would
embarrasS and discourage pupils. The
amendment was lost, however. Sell
ator Leavitt believed the bill
Should He Amended,
for he considered it faulty. He offered
an amendment providing that the con-
tract price shall not exceed the lowest
price at which books are sold. This was
also lost, and Senator Bells motion TO
adopt the first section prevailed. When
the bill was placed on Its passage Sena-
tor Leavitt explained that he seriously
regretted being forced to vote against
! it. lie had hoped the senate would
| make certain amendments, and Senator
| Bell voted aye with regrets for like rea-
sons. The bill passed SO to IA, as fol
| lows:
Those who voted in the affirmative