The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-02-17
CHEAPER
SCHOOL BOOKS.
The Bill to Provide Them In
trOduced Today.
1t is Composed of a General
Boiling Down
OF ALL OTHER BILLS
A State Commission of Eight Is
Provided For.
Counties Nay Own the Books If
They Desire.
OFF ALL OTHER BILLS

The Populist majority in the legisla-
ture stands pledged to three important
reforms, in railroad, stock yards and
school book legislation
The railroad and stock yards bills
have been introduced and are now
pending, having come from the respec-
tive committees with the recommended
ton that they be passed.
Today the proposed school book law
was introduced and advanced to second
reading. The bill as it now stands was
prepared by the committee after more
than a week of hard work and is pre-
sented to the legislature with a recon-
mendation that it be passed 1t in
cludes the same features of other bills
and combines, in the opinion of the
members of the committee, the most
feasible and at the same time reasOna-
BILE propositions which could possibly be
Incorporated in such q measure.
Chairman Davis of the committee said
to reporter for the Journal: This is
an excellent measure and should be
passed. 1 believe it will pass. 1t con-
tains the most advanced thought on
propositions of that character and in
my opinion will present a proper solu-
ton for the difficulties with which we
are cOntending.
The bill provides for state uniformity,
fixes maximum charges for books, Gre
ates a commission to carry out the pro-
visions defined therein and makes APP
preparations to defray the expenses.
The school book commission will con-
sist of eight members, appointive by the
governor, not more than five of whom
shall be from the same political party.
The only compensation which members
of the commission shall receive is SO per
day and 10 cents per mile of necessary
travel The state superintendent is
chairman of the board, empowered to
vote upon all propositions. The COM
mission shall hold office for four years
and will hold meetings on the first Mon
day in April and at such other times as
may be necessary.
The commission will be expected to
hold its first meeting in April at which
time bids will be opened from publish
ers of books, upon proposition to
furnish books for a period of five years
and from authors of school books who
have manuscripts not yet published
and from persons who are willing to
undertake the compilation of books.
Here are the maximum prices for
books:
Spelling books 10 cents.
First reader, 10 cents.
Second reader, Is cents.
Third reader, 20 cents
Fourth reader, 25 cents
Fifth reader. 30 cents.
Mental arithmetic, 25 cents.
intermediate arithmetic, 25 cents.
Complete arithmetic, 80 cents.
Elementary geography. 80 cents.
Complete geogra ply, rs cents.
Physical geoSra ply, 20 cents.
Elementary grammar, 20 cents
Complete grammar, 80 cents
Physiology and hygiene, so cents.
United States history, so cents.
Elements of natural philosophy, so
cents.
Civil government 40 cents.
bookkeeping, 40 cents.
Writing books, cents.
Algebras. so cents.
These prices include delivery of books
to any point in the state.
The bill provides that counties. town.
ships or districts. if the residents so de-
sire. may own their own text books and
furnish them to the pupils free of
charge. However, nothing in this act
shall be held to interfere with any such
contracts now in existence.
The members of the committee on ed
ucation have provided all possible safe
guards for the protection of the COM
missioner from Onslaughts by lobbyists
representing school book companies and
have in corporated in the bill proviso
making it a penalty for any member of
the commission to divulge any of the
proceedings of the board before COM
pletion, and further that no one except
members of the commission shall be
permitted to be present at meetings
thereof.
At the close of each session of the
commission, the proceedings shall be
published in pamphlet form and distri-
buted among the people
Any member of the commission who
violates these provisions shall be deem
ed guilty of q misdemeanOr and upon
conviction thereof shall be fined not
less than 500 nor more than $780, not
exceeding six months in jail and remOv-
al from office.
The bill provides that the state shall
not be liable for the amount of any
contract with publishers, who must Sc
cure their compensation exclusively
from the sale of the books for which
they have contracted.
After contracts are made it is made
the duty of the publishers to arrange
with local dealers for the distribution
of the books. Such dealers will be per-
mitted to charge ten per cent on the
contract price for handling the books.
However. the publishers are required to
furnish books direct to the people at
contract price.
The bill precludes the possibility of a
"rake-of'' on the part of dealers auth
orized to handle the books by providing
that any person who shall receive mon
ey or any other thing of value in ex-
cess of the contract price, shall be
deemed guilty of a mfsdemeanor and
subjected to a fine of not less than $25
or more than 500 and imprisonment in
the county Jail for not to exceed ninety
days.
To carry out the provisions of the act
$3.50 is appropriated.
Successful bidders will be required to
furnish boE.d in the penal sum of $50, OO0
with resident securities for faithful
performance Of contract.
IT DIES THE DEATH.
The Interest Bill Unpopular With
T.0o~a-- ord Ror-oxuo--- A1i1-a