Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-08-19
ABoUr THE SCHOOL BOOKS
Some Facts for the Consideration OF
This Districts Patrons.

This Districts Patrons
For the petty purpose OF party
capital and animated by no higher
motive than to drag mems names IN
mire. the News and Monitor in their
current issues publish untruthlui'
distorted and malicious statements
concerning the action OF the Ao''ens
hoard of education in relation TO 'ne
textbook contract now exlstlhs'
They make assertions palpaOly 'alss
and SO evidently intended to mlsleaa
as TO mark the writer's as guilty OF
the smallest and most detestaole
partisan malignity. 1t is due the
patrons of the district that they
should know the truth.
This is the situation: Last winter
the Populist Legislature adopted a law
by which the state was required 10
use text hooks to be selected by al
board appointed by Governor Leeay'
except where contract existed 1.-TWO
days before the law took effect the
Abilene board made a new contract
to continue the use of books already
in the schools for five years. sub]ec'
to cancellation by the board at ~
days notice. Hundreds of districts
did it for the purpose OF protecting
themselves and preventing a whole
sale change Of books unless DESIRED
On August 6 the board met to con-
slider whether it should cancel the
contract. Five members--Stoddara'
Brewer, Murphy, Byers, Faulkner
voted No; Gleissner, Ross, Harding
Gulick, Kump voted Yes. The con-
tract in consequence was not changed
The five voting no happened to be
Renublicans-hence the abuse
The News and Monitor say that
the contract is a device OF the BOOK
trust and was fastened on the people
as such The contract was adopted
last spring on the advice Of County
Superintendent Humbargar. ne
sucyested it to the board, advised the
action as the opinion of the states
hest educators, took a call Tor
special meeting to several members
for signature and appeared before the
hoard with the American Book COM
pany's contract ready for signature
except the 80 day clause which was
inserted by Mr.. Brewer. Al the
meeting Aug. 2 the committee on
schools was ordered to investigate tht
books when they reached here and
call special session to consider the
change. Other members however
called a special meeting Aug o.
When the meeting was held but two
or three ont of the twenty-one books
prepared by the state had been seel u
in Abilene and none by the board
No one, not even the superintendent
Of county and city schools knew
whether or not they were all sultaol
books. supt Niesley was called be
fore the board and asked II he coul'
recommend them. Mr.. Murphy SAT-
that if Mr.. Niesley said they wer
satisfactory he would vote for then
and Mr.. Brewer endorsed it. Mr.
Niesley said frankly that he had see
only two readers and the arlthme'lc
and they were satisfactory. As to tn
others until he saw them he coul
not say. Consequently five member
thought it wise to walt for proper II
yestigation. Did they DO wrong
The board had no guide but new
paper reports, which certainly hav
not been iiattering to the state tex
books
The wonderful saving on the ne
books is duly elaborated by the Dem'
Pop papers. The new books cost
the main about one-half those no
used. But under the law holders
old books can receive for them in e
change but half the price Of the ne
ones. That is in exchanging an o
100 cent book for new 5o cent OIL
only 25 cents will be allowed Tor u
old book III it is in perfect condition
The Populist state administration e
meets to sell these old books for aoo
twice what is allowed for them and
make a handsome profit out Of =
peoples necessities. To change
- cd oohnf