Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1898-02-17
SCHOOL BOOK QUESTION.
The Bill for State Uniformity and
State Publication to Be Care
fully Considered.
EDUCATORS OPPOSED TO The MEASURE.
Board of Control for Iowa Institu-
lions Seems Probable-ApprOprfa
tion Committees Pushing Things
Important Legislation This Week
Other Notes of Interest.
Especial Correspondence

DeS MoineS, Ia, FEB. l4.-lne mouse
committee on schools and text books
has commenced the consideration of
the Ray bill for state uniformity and
state publication of school books. But
little progress has been made, and the
importance of the measure is being rec
ognized by the committee, which, it is
thought, will not push this bill with
oIl very careful consideration and
hearing from the people, and especial
Nv the educators of the state, who are
best qualified to judge of the effects
of such radical change. The chair
man of the committees having the sub
iect in charge, in both house and SEN
ate, have sent out inquiries covering all
phases of the subject to leading educa-
tional men all over the state. So far
rs heard from educators are unanimous
In opposition to the bill, and many
school boards have also opposed it. A
statement in regard to it was issued
Saturday by the Legislative committee
OF the State Teachers association, ap-
proved by the president of the asso-
citation and the chairman of the eXecu-
tive committee. The reasons they give
are as follows:
1--WE, the members of the legislative
committee of the State Teachers asso-
citation of Iowa, having carefully examined
the bill known as the Ray bill, providing
for state uniformity of text books are
unanimously Of the opinion that the enact
ment of the principles Of this bill into
law would prove detrimental to the best
interests of the schools Of the state, for
the following reasons:
"First-We believe that the power Of
selecting the commission to perform so
important work should not be entrusted
30 one man.
"Second-We believe that the COM
pensation provided for in this bill is en-
tirely inadequate to secure the services
of men competent to perform such duties
as the bill imposes.
''Thrd-While we are decidedly in IA
Vor of encouraging Iowa authors, at the
same time we are opposed to any legis-
lation that will restrict us from select
ing the best books in use.
"Fourth-We believe that the prices
for books fixed in the bill as maximum
are too low to secure the best books.
''Fifth-We are decidedly opposed to
state uniformity of text books, because
we believe that any such law would not
meet the varied wants Of the schools
as well as the law now In force, which
permits cities and cor,lties to make Sc
lections Of books adapted to their IN
dividual requirements.
''Sixth-From information in our pos
session, we are satisfied that we rep.
resent the views Of nine-tenths Of the lead
ing school men Of the state.
HENRY SABIN, Chairman.
-. B. KNOEPFLER,
~. S. SHOUP,
GEORGE CHANDLER,
"FLORABEL PATTERSON,
amos N. CURRIER,
president State Teachers Association.
~. F. SESSIONS,
chairman Executive Committee State
Teachers Association"
Getting Nearer Together.
The two houses seem to be getting
nearer together on the board of control
question. The committees are much
Nearer an agreement on general prin-
ciples than they were week ago. They
agree that all local boards shall be
abolished except those of the state uni
versity, agricultural college and state
normal school. The board of control
is to be composed of three members, ap-
pointed by the governor and approved
by the senate, to hold office for terms OF
six years each, one expiring every two
years; the chairman to receive $780,
the other two members $4,000, and the
secretary, who is not member of the
board, $1,000. The board is to have alb.
solute control over all the state institu-
tions. 1t fixes all salaries, but does not
select any officers, except the heads of
institutions. The superintendent Sc
1ect all minor employees, and it is made
unlawful for any member of the board
of control to interfere in any way in
the. selection of such employees. Any at
tempt to influence the politics of any
other state employee shall be grounds
for discharge. A state architect is tc
be employed 10 do all state work and to
prepare al plans for improvements
An elaborate system of bookkeeping
and accounting for everything that
comes into the possession of every state
institution is required. No institution
is allowed to buy supplies without the
approval of the board, and a perfect
check is provided for, upon the institu
lions, in the receipt of and payment foi
all supplies. All purchases must be
made by contract, after receiving bids
and the contract must go to the loves
bidder. Local boards are abolished and
money paid directly by the state treas
urer. 49,
1t is proposed to h%e this law talk,
effect July /, when all local boards vii
be abolished, and the board of con
troll will take charge of all the institu
tions, including the new hospital fo1
the insane now being built in Cherokee
II seems altogether likely that som,
bill. perhaps not quite like this one
which was prepared by Senator Healy
chairman of the investigating commit
tee. will be passed by the legislature.
May Adjourn in March.
The appropriation committees ar
nearly through with their hearings o
state institutions, and inside of tw,
weeks they hope to be able to repor
their findings to the house and senate
If they do this, bills will be placed o
passage at once, and the legislature wi
adjourn probably by the 25th of Marcel
at the very latest, and sooner if tn
board of control bill does not provok
more controversy than is now expected