The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-11-11
THE SCHOOL BOOK QUESTION.
Opposition to the State Printing Its
own hooks.

Opposition to the State Printing Its
own books.
From the best information, it seems that
the educational people do not think the
idea of the state printing its own school
books would be at all feasible. While 1t
is fully realized that the school book mon
opoly has practically its own option in
fixing prices, yet the disadvantages the
state would necessarily encounter in the
undertaking, are thought to be such as
would outweigh the gain.
The communication of Gov. Atkinson to
the legislature, published in yesterdays
Morning News, was thought by MANY to
imply the ACCESSIBILITY Of the state publish
ing its own school books, or adopting some
method which would tend to reduce the
prices now being paid.
The question has been given thought by
teachers and others interested in educa-
the idea of Gov. Atkinson was for the
state to publish the books. A heavy ex-
pense in obtaining copyrights would fol-
low step in this direction it is claimed.
On being asked about the matter yes
terday, Supt. Otis Ashmore, of the Savan-
nah public schools, stated that he did not
think the plan of the states entering upon
such an undertaking is at all feasible.
Understand, do not mean to say that
1 apprehend the communication of the
governor to mean that he favors the let
ting of contracts to private concerns for
publishing the school books. But there
are so many obstacles, that such an at
tempt would most likely be thwarted.
my idea is that the first and strongest
impeachment would be that of procuring
copyrights. All school books worth using
are copyrighted and a high bonus would
likely be required by the owners. These
books are valuable because they have to
stand a close critical test before they
are adopted. Critics fire at them from
every point of view, when they are first
published, and there are but small per
cent. which would stand the test. For
my part, 1 should want to consider we'll
before / would even undertake the prep
aration of first reader. That skill
which is indispensable to the school
book author, is one of the explanations
for the advanced prices on copyrights. If
the state should not wish to purchase the
copyrights, but resort to writing dts own
text books, I think the task would be diff
hcult and tedious. Indeed, several years
would be required to write books which
would give satisfaction.
In the second place." said SuperIntend-
emit Ashmore, II do not think the mechan-
ical work would be satisfactory. A school
book is necessarily subject to severe treat
ment, and unless made of the best grade
of material and the work well executed,
there would be dissatisfaction from this
source. The state of Indiana has it's
school books published by private con-
tract and 1 understand that bad mechani-
cal work Is the objection.
Publishing houses in the south would
probably have to provide the necessary
equipment, if school book printing were
undertaken. This condition prevails, of
course, because there has never been any
demand upon them for such work How
ever there are many publishing houses in
the south which get out the finest of law
books, and with other barriers removed,
that as to workmanship, would be incon-
siderable.n