The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-14
CLOTHED IN SECRECY
SCHOOL BOOK COMMISSIONERS HAVE
SOME QUEER METHODS.
Bids Received and Opened, but Will
Not BE Made Public Until May p
IAN Unusual Offer.
The State Board of Education met yester

The State Board of Education met yester-
day dy; afternsen as State ss stss
grammar and ianguaS Upens books 0'' to be
used in the schools of Indiana
during the next five years Seven firms,
among them many of the largest school
book houses in the country. were in the
competition and there was heap of pulling
and hauling by their agents, for the profits
on this big contract are likely to run up into
the tens Of thousands. The board took no
definite action upon the bids, deferring the
awarding Of the contract until May q. In
the meantime the figures of the bids were
not divulged by the board last evening.
The question of the obnoxious points in
the History OF the United States in use,
which has been so much discussed by Grand
Army posts throughout the State, was set
tied by a resolution that the president and
secretary of the board be asked to receive
from the author, Mr.. Montgomery, through
the publishers. Messrs. CHM & Co.. the sug-
gested change IN paragraph S59. and when
satisfactory to them. is be declared that the
history In its revised form, with reference
to appendix properly made and pages prop
erly numbered. be accepted and the book be
adopted for five years, beginning July /.
1886" Whether or not this change in a sim
gle paragraph will make the history salts
factory to the patriotic sentiment Of the
State remains to be seen.
The board did it's work yesterday In secret
session. and practically all that the public
can learn about it had to be procured from
outside sources. There was much comment
among the visiting agents last night upon
this matter OF opening bids in secret. and
there was much questioning as TO whether
the methods that used to prevail among
TO invade the State board. Before going
into the opening OF the bids the board
adopted resolution declaring that 1t would
not near any oral statements upon the quail
lty or the books or receive any commune
cation not regularly filed at the time; The
Shewell & Son6orn, Chicago; Jonathan
Rigdon, DanyiIIe, Ind; Maynard, Merrill q
Co, Chicago; ID. G. Heath q Co., Chicago /;
Indiana Schoolbook Company, indianapolis;
INLAND Publishing Company, Terre Haute,
and CHM d Co., Chicago.
The Indiana Schoo.oook Company was evil
IDENTIFY well prepared TO present its case. 1t
had sent out some time ago quite a large
number of books to educators in various
parts OF the State for examination and had
received letters from most OF them, which
We're filed with the board and are under
stood TO be Endorsements of the books.
This company offered Its Indiana State
Series OF Language Lessons, first book and
second book, Tor % cents and 10 cents, re-
spectiveiy. Its bid was of the regular form
prescribed by the department, but ii added
large number OF propositions. which were
favorably commented on by those present
They were:
."And we further agree to make it part
of this bid:
"First-That we consent that the township
trustees and school boards OF the State OF
Indiana may sell said books for cash TO all
merchants and dealers who may apply for
the same. at discount Of 10 per cent. from
the price above named, and that We will
bear one-half of such discount in all things
as required by Section Of the said act, ap-
proved March /, 1898.
contract, We will, during its continuance,
maintain an office in the city of Indianap-
oils, in charge OF competent person, TO
give information to all school officers of the
State and to facilitate the execution OF such
contract and the delivery of said books.
"Third-Tnat we viii continue our pres
ent plan OF keeping constantly employed an
experienced man who will devote al his time
to visiting the various counties and school
corporations, thereby aiding the school on
GERS in all matters pertaining 10 the fulfll-
ment OF our contracts with the State.
"Fourth-That we will continue our pres
ent system OF keeping sufficient supply
furnish the schools OF Indiana in the hands
OF the various county superintendents, to
the end that they may at any time, in case
OF emergency, FIJI any supplemented orders
teal administration of the schools.
''Fifth-That we agree. should the con-
tract be awarded US, to have the author
make any additional or minor changes in
said books that the State Board of School
book Commissioners may. in their judgment.
think advisable.
US, we will have a sufficient quantity OF
these books manufactured SO as to furnish
them for use in all OF the common schools
Of the State during the next ensuing school
year beginning with the opening of the fall
''Seventh~That we will pack and ship said
- 01lrr Ck1 htyr ~,
county superintendent, under contracts now
held by us to furnish schoolbooks for use
in the common schools OF the State. there
by enabling all school officers TO. receive
and receipt for all books furnished by us at
one and the same time.
"Eighth-That we hereby give our con-
vided by said act, approved March l., 1893.
at any time during said contract, if the
same should be awarded u.s."
Several of the bidders evidently thought
to win favor with the board for the adop-
ton Of their books by offering an exchange
price of a few cents for books of CORE
They evidently had not read the last act
of the Legislature on this subject. The act
OF March 1. 1893. provides as follows:
such book or books shall only be required
to be introduced in the schools as new
classes in the study Of such branches are
being formed, and all classes In such study
or studies who, at the time of the expira-
ton of the term OF such studies. shall nave
purchased books for use in such classes.
shall be allowed time to complete such
books before being compelled to buy new
or revised books"
1t will be seen from tho foregoing pro-
vision OF law that 1t was not the intention
OF the Legislature that the children of the
State should be required to- change books.
or to exchange books until the books in
use at the time OF the adoption OF new
books should be completed.
One OF the Objectionable features of the
schoolbook law In the beginning was TAX
In "a Of M
hands of merchants and dealers at a dis
count OF 10 per cent. and placing it en-
tirely in the hands OF local school officers.
This feature of the law was remedied by
the act of 1S93, which requires that the
books shall be sold by merchants and deal
ers. the contractors consenting, thereby en-
abling the children of the State to buy their
books at the stores in their respective
neighborhoods. One company refused at the
time the law was passed to give its consent.
and Is still refusing to give the patrons of
the schools the benefit of this feature OF the
law. This same company makes bid to
furnish the language books, but still refuses
to allow any of its books TO be sold through