The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-09-16
HIGH SCHOOL TEXT Boohs.

Olympia. Wash. Sept IA 1871
To the Editor: BY your courtesy THIS
office desires 10 make a statement 20 the
public concerning the recent adoption o.
high school text books. AT the recent eiec-
ton IN June the question OF free text
books was submitted 20 the people. ana
several districts OF the state carried In Ia
vor Of the proposition. Among The cis-
tricts thus voting were the cities or New
Whatcom and Fairhaven- This office was
directed 10 the fact that these districts
must purchase such books as the state
board OF education selects Upon submit
ting the matter 10 The attorney general
the state board was directed to proceed
as provided by law 70 complete the adop-
ton of books for such subjects and grades
as were not provided for by the last adop-
ton of Iss5.
The law requires al least four weeks ad-
verusing. This delayed the selection until
August IL. on which date the bias were
opened. and the board took Anal action
on the list Of books selected August q. On
that date the state entered upon contracts
with the publishers for furnishing books
to the high schools OF the state unsn sep
temser. lsNo. the unexpired time or the reg
ular period Of five wears required by law
Thus the work which should have been
done two years ago. II done al All, was
completed, as a necessary incident 10 the
election.
The late date OF this action. 80 near the
opening Of the schools. renders the change
OF books very annoying 10 the schools ana
10 the book dealers. This Office IL besieged
with communications of many sorts. to
which the public Is entitled to a reply.
An excellent educator Of the state thinks
the matter was considered as a policy or
within OF the present administration. II Is
hoped that this view Will not be held here
after.
The book dealers seem to have assumed
that they were especially damaged by los
Ing the stock now on hand. The usual ex-
change of shelf stock has been provided
for, and so far as this office is aware. the
dealers. who more Than all others give
service In supplying the schools, are pro-
tected.
The Tacoma school management Is con-
templating postponement of opening the
high school, because the books adopted
are not now on hand. This is surely bad
reasoning, as nothing in the law implies
an absurdity or impossihlity. The term
for introduction has been fixed for six
months from the date OF contract, and any
district has that time in which TO change.
Tbs reference to Tacoma schools is based
| upon MIR. Rosling's statement as reported
| In the Post-Intelligencer of the 14th.
Ii is safe 10 assume that good is intend
| ed. until the had is proven. There is no in
| tention to harass any school by officious-
ness. no desire TO interfere with the pol
| icy of the schools of any district. The
| purpose of law Is TO promote public SER
| vice. No one will dare to interpret the
| law In such manner as will impair pub
| lic service. The books selected will be in
| the state soon, and the school officers and
| teachers can surely open school and do
! valuable work in the class room while
| waiting. II not. il argues slavishness TO
| text books which our teaching body
should have discarded years ago. Obedi-
| emily yours. FRANK J. BROWNE.
| Superintendent of Public Instruction. State
OF Washington