The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-22
The GREAT WAR ON BARNES
His UntruthfuI Histories Have Long
Been in Use.
new CONTRACTS SOON TO Be MADE.
DR.. y. W. southall is Opposing Mr. Massey
for superintendent of Public instrne-
tion and Membership on the Board
which Has TO Adopt the Books.

The school history question Is just now
one OF much interest in Virginia.
In view Of the action of the Confederate
Veterans in seeking to eliminate Barnes
histories from the list Of books authorized
10 be used in tho public schools of this
state the subject becomes one of unusual
| importance, especially to teachers and
| scholars
Barnes and Holmes histories were,
perhaps, the first used in the free schools
Of Virginia They were both put on
the list away back in the early 7os. The
Board Of Public Instruction, which IS
| composed Of the Governor. Attorney Gen
/ eral and Superintendent of Public IN
struction. was created I'm 1870. This b"oy
makes out list of all books to be useu
| i'm the schools. The county and city
boards also adopt such books from TINS
| list as they choose.
HISTORIES NOW on THE LIST.
A stated. Barnes and Holmes MS
tories were the FIRST books OF their chiI-
| actor approvcd. The histories on the hat
now are rs follows:
shinn's Barnes series, llansells series.
and Holmes histories OF the lh'teo
States and Magirs and Mourys histories
Of Virginia. also Or. j. J.. NJ. curry
southern states OF the Union
The Board OF Public instruction every
four years adopts its list Of books and
makes contracts for four years with the
publishers. The contracts not only are
FOR the retail price but for The exchange
prlce. For instance. the Barnes three
histories are retailed AT 90 cents. 81, and
81 80 and the exchange prices are 80 cents
GO cents and SlW.
In 1886 Barnes histories were nOminally
atricken from the list That year the
Board adopted the single list OF books
and Holmes was the history favored.
This action of the board did not put
other histories out of use la the schools.
n simply meant that If new books were
10 he ordered. Holmes history was the
only one the local boards could adopt IN
other words. the Board Of PUBIC lhslIuc
ton made an exclusive contract LOT tour
years with the publishers OF Holmes MS
tory.
Barnes and Shinn's histories are pup
llshcd bv tine American Book company
ana HanseWs and Holmes by the UNI
ycrsity Publishing Company
THE PRESENT CONTRACT
The present contract with the publish
ers was made I'm iSgi Maury's history OF
Virginia has been adopted since that
fine These contracts viii expire next
August and il is expected that the ne"
board. which will go into Office next Jan
nary will make contracts along about
| March.
Histories recommended 10 be put In the
lisf bv the History Committee of the
Grand Camp Of Confederate Veterans are
those by Hanseu Shnn. Holmes, Jones.
! Mrs. Susan 4. Lee and Field,
and the Virginia histories by
Maury and Magill. or these all are now
on the list except those by Jones and
! Fields DR.. Jones book was pat ON the
market since the contracts were made.
FIGHT OK BARNES.
The great fight is on Barnes
historics-These books have always
been very popular with the teachers
on account Of the easy method provided
FOR teaching them. Some years ago
| Barnes histories were very much IN use.
| but Secretary McGivray, Of the Board of
| Public instruction. iold "a Times reporter
yesterday that but very few county and
city boards had them ON their lists now.
| Mr McGllray was unable 20 give any
figures. and said the percentage OF these
histories in use was small.