Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1897-03-10
FREE TEXT BOOKS.
The Question to be Voted Upon At the School
Elections Next Month.

Supt. Parent has received IRON
the state superintendent the follow
ing circular letter and transmitted
the same to the trustees of the e V
eral school districts:
"You are hereby informed that the
Governor has approved the school
book bill, which provides for a text
book commission composed of seven
members, who shall select u uniform
series of textbooks to be Used in all
public schools of the state for a
period of six years from and after
September first, 1897. The bill pro-
vides for what is called local adOp-
ton. That liz to say, each school
district may decide for itself whether
il shall have the books free or not.
To secure free school books it is
necessary in each unincOrporated
town or city for ten legal voters to
petition the school trustees at least
fifteen days before the third day of
April next, which is the time of the
school election. Said petition re-
QutSl tut tEuSttts W buoiilit W tIIS
district at the ensuing election the
question whether or not the school
books shall be furnished free to- the
pupils attending school. II the dis
trict comprises an Incorporated city
or town the same method is pursued.
except that there must be petition
signed by at least 100 voters in the
district, and then proceed as in other
cases.
As the school election eur on
the third Of April and this petition
must he presented at least fifteen
days before said election, it is neces-
sary, therefore, that said petitions
he filed with the school trustees not
later than the 18th of March. Those
districts adopting free school books
will get them ut least ~ per cent.
Less than the books can be sold to
pupils in districts which do not
adopt free books. The dealersc charge
from 10 to :3h per cent. for the hand
ling of the books. This enormous
profit will be saved to the district
which shall furnish the books fire. to
the pupils. The districts adopting
free books will have thesames shipped
to the school board and through the
school board they will be distributed
to the teachers, and by the teacher
to the pupils. This saves the dealers
commission, AS before stated. But
in those districts which donot adopt
free books the same will be shipped
to the dealers as they have been here
tofore, and the dealers will add
their profit OF from ~ to 33h per
cent. and the children will be COM
PEELED TO pay the eXhorbitant prices
that they have been accustomed Il
pay in II past.
Every argument of economy, there.
fore, lis in favor OF every district
adopting free books. Improved
scholarship, attendance, and IL larger
enrolment always follow from the
adoption vi free school books.
You are requested to inform YOU
school boards OF your county anC
the patrons of your schools OF the
matter herein contained. TO thin
end l suggest that you Use the press
OF your county. The matter is i'm
porIant and means much to tn,
school.
Under the free textbook bill tn,
commissioners will meet i'll this otfic,
at l. O'Clock, noon, on the third day
vi May, 1897, and adopt IA uniform
series of textbooks To be used i'll ouI
schools for u term of six years