The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-02-03
STATE TO DO 1T.
POpulists About to Put Into
Practice
A Plan That Has Been Popular
With Them
FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
VIII Build Plant to Print All
the School Books
To Be Used in the Schools of
Kansas.
IF BUILT IN Topeka
This Plant Would Employ 100
Printers
And Be a Big Addition to the
CifvSS TuduSfriaS
Will Build a Plant to Print All
the School Books
To Be Used in the Schools of
Kansas.
IF BUILT IN TOPEKA
This Plant Would Employ 100
Printers
And Be a Big Addition to the
City's Industries.

The state of Kansas will purchase
printing plant at a cost of $4,000 to
100000 with which to publish uniform
school text books which will be furnish
ed to pupils at actual cost.
The house and senate committees on
education are in session today, framing
a bill, with the above purpose in view,
to be introduced in the house and SEN
ate at the same time.
This new and important step in the
direction of solving the school book
question was decided upon in a caucus
of the house members last night.
The caucus was called to consider
this question with the further under
standing that the policy of the Populist
majority with reference to prohibition
and resubmissiou, would also be deter
mined. The school book question occu-
pied the entire evening. Just what trans
pired is difficult to ascertain, as report
ers were denied admittance.
The members who attended assert
that the sentiment of the caucus was
unanimous in favor of state uniformity
and state publication. and the commit
tee on education was instructed to con-
fer with the senate committee in charge
of the same subject, and to draft bill
containing those provisions
1t was suggested by some of the
secured by submitting the printing
thereof to open competition. This prop
Dsition was defeated, the sentiment be-
ing in favor of state uniformity and
state publication. In the event the
scheme to introduce the new plan fail
ed, the caucus was of the opinion that
it would be unwise to interfere in any
manner with the existing conditions
governing the sale and purchase of
school books, which would permit the
continued operation of the book trusts.
When this fact was called to the at
tentiOn of the members, it served as an
inspiration to do something, which re-
suited in an agreement to have state
publication and state uniformity.
The manner of conducting the bust
ness under the new system has not been
determined. Some favor combining the
business with that of the state printer,
While others suggest that the publica-
ton of school books should be no part
of the present system of printing. These
two points are yet to be determined, and
will be disposed of a a caucus Thurs
day night at which time it is expected
the committees on education will be
ready to report upon the work which
has been assigned to them.
The house caucus last night adjourn
ed until Thursday night when a joint
caucus will probably be held, to dispose
OF the entire school book question.
Should the proposed plan be adopted,
the new printing plant is expected to
furnish employment to at least 100 men
during the first two or three years of
AtS CStcD1AS14A1lGHl, IndI nunD6r D6lD2
decreased, though not to any great ex-
tent after that time.
The plant were it established at Tope-
ka would give work to the idle printers
in the city and many others throughout
the state and would keep in Kansas
hundreds of thousands of dollars that
are now spent outside. On the other
hand, it might injure book dealers of
Kansas, and this phase of the question
should receive earnest consideration
The work would begin with the print
ing of one or two books, to be followed
as rapidly as possible with additional
publications, until all necessary books
are issued.
There are now pending in the house
and senate 25 or 80 bills upon the school
book question but none of them seem to
meet the approval of the house, which
now takes this step, one of the most
important and far reaching of anything
of the character ever attempted in Kan
sas, or any other state.
1t is not likely that the book trust
will sit idly by and permit this bill to
go through without a struggle.