Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1897-03-24

prices will be much lower than the
prices now offered by
especially when it is con-
sidered that the furnishing OF text
books is controlled by not more than
three firms and that these may pool
and offer a single bid. Under the
law books are furnished free on board
cars at Chicago and the districts
must pay the freight from that point.
A careful comparison of the prices
offered by the evera publishers on
text books required under the law
needed by scholars of the two lower
grades will probably cost not less
than 65 cents per pupil: by those of
the next higher grade, $2.66; by those
of h next, 1851; h second highest
grade, $4.21; by those of the highest
grade, 81, and the latter figure does
not include books in rhetoric orlatin,
for which the law does not provide
and which must be purchased in ad-
dition, nor does it include books in
American Literature which is SO
varied that estimation of cost is i'm
possible. Taking into consideration
the number of pupils in each depart
ment, it is found that books for the
Lewistown school will not cost less
than 1855. Beside there are some
sixty pupils in outside schools of the
district which, it is estimated, it will
cost $3.50 to provide with books.
This is the lowest estimate than can
be made and is 80 considered by Supt.
Parent. But it will be said that
undoubtedly some of the books now
in use will be adopted by the state
board and consequently a full quota
of books will not be necessary
Quite SO, but yet not precisely the
number of books required can bs
purchased, but a surplus must bt
kept on hand to provide for emer
gency and for new scholars. Ii
seems that the above figures should
be increased by $50, making the tota
cost for the first year to the Lewis
town district 5000. or necessitatini
an additional tax levy of one mill.
In future years the cost need no
be more than one-third as great a.
the first and need be but a slight bur
den.
In considering the prospective TIA,
levy for this year, ~ mills may b.
taken as the minimum county tax
with an additional levy of three mill
upon stockmen. A member of tn
school board gives it as his opinion
that five mills will be needed for tn
schools, and if the one mill for tn
continuance of the present term /
voted, Taxpayers of this district ma.
expect To pay from 26 to - mills O,
the dollar. DO they believe the Der
Gifts to be derived from free tex
, books will warrant the levy Of We
another mill?
Two years ago the district vote
bonds for the building of additions
school houses and while the nece.
> sity was % then recognized it
. now very apparent and a new built
! ing should be erected as soon as til
bonds n be sold. The furnishin
; of the new building, employment {
I additional teachers, and the pa,
ment of interest and principal upo
these bonds will necessitate agreatt
tax levy within one year, il not tn.
fall.
. The ARGUS is not opposed to I'll
! principle oil object aimed at-frt
; text books. The proposition tina
| every child should have the adval
I tages of an education is one we el
u dorse but whether it is advisab
3 and expedient to adopt the systel
Z at this time is one worthy Of Garrett
+ consideration by parents and ia:
u payers of the district.