The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-02-06

of Madison county, on Jan. 10, wrote: II
would like TO see grammars and arithme-
tics, primary physiology and histories
changed, particularly. All might be I'M
proved upon"
Principal John E. Ruse of Big Timber.
on Jan. 2i. after speaking of the text
books of a rival publishing house, wrote;
They are, in my opinion, superior IN
every respect to those III use at the pres
ent time. Any change would certainly be
preferable
Harriet Hord, county superintendent of
Mssoula county, on Dec. II, 1894. wrote:
THE teachers under me complain of the
language lessons, Harvey's grammar,
Fish's arithmetic No. l, the Graphic sys-
tenn of drawing and McGufFey's readers.
The speller is considered by some too
difficult. / am of the opinion that the
children of the state are entitled to the
best and latest efforts of the text book
makers of the United States"
sam Stephenson, county superintend-
ent of Madison county, wrote: AT our
late teachers institute the opinion was
generally expressed that n decided inn
provement could be made in the use of
grammars, Barnes studies in language
and Fish's arithmetics."
Miss Riefenrath. county superintend-
ent of Lewis and Clarke county, wrote, on
Dec. 21: THE state series is generally
criticised in this county,"
County Superintendent Bond OF Ra-
valli county has written letter express
ing the desire of himself and the Ravalli
county teachers to see changes made in
grammars, language series, arithmetic
and histories. The list of complaints on
this score could be heightened, it is al
-. ~. st.1 loft
nitely.
THE OTHER SIDE.
Against changing the text books is the
argument that every change entails
great deal of expense, even though the
exchange price. as is customary, Is re-
duced to one-third of the usual retail
price. In 1894 the trusts receipts from
Montana were about $1,000. This. of
course, represents wholesale prices. The
business of 1894 was considerably less
than usual. Captain Edwards says that
to change the books would run the eX-
penditures the first year up to from So, 900
to $4,000, and the people are i'll prepared
to stand il. He admits that the eXpend-
iture for the year following the change
would be very light. Captain Edwards
strenuously denies the charge that the
books proposed in the Joy bill arc anti
quated and obsolescent. 1t should be
noted that under the Joy bill, Harvey's
grammars are thrown out and MaXwelPs
series substituted, both being trust pub
lications. 1t is freely limited that some of
the educators of the state have been in
one way or another subsidized. To hear
all the talk that is indulged in, one would
think that Montana's educators are the
most corrupt set of people in the land.
n i.
letters to 300 Montana teachers in the
state asking for their endorsement of tho
books proposed in the Joy bill. He says
he has already received about 10) favor
able replies, and he expects to receive at
| least 100 more.
SLICK WORK.
The new codes provided that tho state
board of education should make contracts
for the school books to be used in Mon
tana. This provision, section 1901 of the
political code) was untouched by the
house. When the codes went over to the
senate a proposition to eliminate this Sec
ton came up before the senate judiciary
committee, but it was decided to do moth
ing in the promises. 1t will be remem-
bered that Senator Metzel of the judi
ciary committee presented n minority re-
port relating to the stock growing inter
ests, striking out certain sections alto
gether and amending others. The min
ority report was adopted by the senate
without investigation, it being under
stood that Senator Metzefs amend
ments were at the request OF
the board of stock commission
ers. After the codes as thus amended
had beer adopted by both houses. it was
discovered that one of Metzefs amend
ments struck out section 1901. In justice
to Senator Metzel it should be said that
no did not know that his minority report
contained such an amendment. 1t was
inserted in the report by a member of the
house. The legislative assembly has,
therefore, full power 20 make school book
contracts.
Senator Smead has introduced an edu-
cational bill, which. it is understood, was
drawn in accordance with the views of
State Superintendent Steere, which
among other things, puts the power of
making contracts back into the hands of
the state board Of education.
HISTORY or THE TRUST.
Like the tobacco trust and the sugar
trust, the American book trust owes its
legal life to the laws of New Jersey. 1t
was Incorporated Jan. ., 1890, and its prin-
cipal place of business is given in its GER
tificate of organization as Jersey City.
The total amount of its capital stock H.
| 5000. Outwardly it seemed small and
| harmless affair. but under this modest or
ganization is hidden one of the greatest
| and most corrupt monopolies ever known
| in this country.
Its leading spirit was the great Cincin-
natl publishing house of Van Antwerp,
/ RraUr & 70 and its frat IaraI orrapfz,
ton included the school book department
of ID. Appleton & Co.. \. :. Barnes d Co.,
/ and Ivison, Brakeman d Co. of New York.
Afterwards the trust purchased the bus
ness of the common school books of Har-
/ per Bros. of New York and D. D. Merrill &
/ Co. of ST. Louis. For the last three or
| four years the American Book company.
or the trust, has controlled tho house of
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