Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-26
TO GO ON THE LIST.
soHxsoN,s READERS ARE PRAcTI-
cArLY ADOPTED ny THE BOARD.
The REVISION IS SATISFACTORY
An Examination of the Manuscript
sr. That the Desired Changes
Have Been Made, and Favorable
Resolutions Are Passed.

The Johnson readers will be added to
the list OF textbooks adopted by the
Board OF Education for use in the public
schools of Virginia for the next four
years.
They were practically adopted by the
board at session held yesterday TO
examine the revised Manuscript. and the
final step Of formally putting them on
the list will be taken as soon as the
hooks are complete and the workmanship
can be passed upon.
When the school-book question was
being considered by the Board of Educa-
ton some weeks ago. the b. f. Johnson
Publishing Company submitted a full set
Of readers. from primer to fifth reader
inclusive Three Of the books were pro-
nounced satisfactory, while objections
were made to the second, third, and
fourth readers. especially with refer
ence to grading. and it was decided not
10 adopt any Of the books except the
primer. Only the series of readers Of
fered by Silver, Burdett e. Co.-"Step-
ping-Stones TO Literature"-were put on
the list at that time.
The board, however, adopted the fol-
lowing:
Resolved. That the Board of Education
will. at any time within one year from
the 1st day of August, 1898 place upon
the official list of school textbooks the
series Of readers known as Johnson's
readers. and published by the b. f. john
son Publishing Company, in the city or
Richmond, or at any other place within
the State of Virginia, provided said books,
when completed, shall be made saJisfac-
tory to the State Board of Education.
THE MANUSCRIPT SATISFACTORY.
The meeting Of the board held yester-
day was called in order that the manu-
script of the johnson readers, as revised,
might be examined, so that If it was
found satisfactory, the work on the books
might be pushed as rapidly as possible.
Only superintendent Southall and At
torney- General Montague were present.
Governor Tyler, who was detained at
Radford by the illness OF his son. sent a
letter TO his associates, in which he said
he would endorse any action they might
take. He added that he had had the
manuscript examined by competent teach
ers. and the work was heartily endorsed
so far as 1t had gone.
The board after examining the manu-
script. which was typewriter. adopted
the following:
Resolved. That the matter. method. and
style of the Second Third and Fourth
readers of the b. r. Johnson Publishing
Company. of Richmond. Va, as revised
and rewritten by Professor Bird and Miss
Davis. are satisfactory TO this board, and
that when said readers are printed and
published In form. mechanical skill, and
workmanship equal 70 the original edition
Of said readers. then this board will adopt
the same. together with the First and
Fifth readers of said company (Which are
already satisfactory and will direct that
the same be placed upon the official list
Of public free-school books.
NOW FOR THE FIGHT.
Now the fight between the b. f. John
son Company and Silver, Burdett * Co
will be carried before the County and City
School boards. Indeed, it has already
been taken there.
AT the time Of the Stepping Stones tc
Literature were given what appeared e
be an exclusive adoption their publishers
cut the prices 20 per cent. from wha1
they had offered them at on a multiple
list. 1t was stipulated In the contract
however. that If other readers were PLACED
on the list the publishers could, If they
saw fit, advance the prices not exceeding
the 20 per cent. Whether they Will eXer
else this prerogative after the johnson
readers have been put on remains to b'
seen. The chances are that they will not
In counties where the matter has peer
taken up the representative OF Silver, Bur
dett & Co. has given the assurance that Il
the books of his house are adopted nov
there shall be no advance in prices durint
the next four years. Having done this
il is not thought that higher prices vii
be made in counties which may adop
hereafter.
Mr. B. f. Johnson, in a card printed II
the Dispatch a few days ago, stated tina
work was being pushed night and day
and that his readers would be issued in Z
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