Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1898-05-20
Oregon School Laws
How the Textbook Law Was
Rushed through.
Present Lamentable Condition Of Oregon
Public School Finances.

IL Oiteou III bbc Iub pitbby pduiJ III
public school matters
The first step in this direction will
bee to elect a clean intelligent public
school man for state superintendent
Of schools.
THE TRUST BOOK LAW.
The present textbook law was
passed 10 the legislature of 1898. 1t
was introduced by Senator BlaCkman
OF Eastern Oregon, passed 10 the SEN
ate and came to the house where after
discussion 1t was defeated, only 20
voting for it.
There was au animated debate over
the subject and Hon. T. T. Geer made
speech against the bill and voted
against it. THE JOURNAL opposed
the law which was introduced by the
renowned Hebrew politician from
Grant, Harvey and Morrow.
He probably never wrote word Of
the law. 1t was probably prepared by
that other imminent educator, State
oupt. McElroy, the author OF so much?
beneficial legislation, because as soon
as il was defeated in the mouse he
appeared on the scene and whipped
the men into line to reconsider the
vote by which it was lost and in the
afternoon of'tbe same day he had the
bill passed that had been lost on debate
on it's merits. Mr.. McElroy stated
that if this bill was not passed Oregon
would have no way to get textbooks
for the public schools. Good men like
Mr.. Geer, who had talked aud voted
against the bill, were changed over to
vote n favor of it on McElroy's rep
reseutations. OF course, McElroy
was dislnterested party.
His devotion to the American Book
Co. was SO absolute that no one will
imagine that they had anything to
do with preparing the bill, But the
election of Prof. McElroy to chair
in the state University as soon as he
was out of Jffice can now be better
understood.
CHANGE THE SYSTEM.
The financial system under which
the public schools are conducted in
Oregon, needs some radical changes in
the interest of the people.
T. II. Teale has this in Northwest
Journal Of Education, about Oregon
"The next legislature is likely to
give US some school legislation. The
published reports of the school dis
trcts this SPRING especially the
smaller cities and towns-indicate
that a school revenue law is needed
that will enable these districts to do
business on cash bassis. The reports
show large amount Of business with
the banks in the shape of short time
loans for from 60 days up and bank
loans mean bank interest. 1t is a
nice thing for the banks but very
poor way of doing business for the
taxpayers and the schools. All the
money raised by taxation for school
purposes sholld be used directly for
schools-not,to pay interest to banks"
All the school legislation for twelve
years in Oregon, prior to 1895, eman-
ated from State Supt. McElroy, and
he meyer originated line Of it him
self, 1t was suggested to him by the
shrewd attorneys Of the school book
publishers and the bank accountant S
for fact that in cities like Portland,
Salem andAstoria warrants draw law
interest, but the people are completely
at the mercy Of the local banks.
School warrants should everywhere
draw low rate Of interest.
The Oregon school bond law was
drawn entirely from the standpoint Of
the bond holder. No bonds can be
issued except for twenty years and
they cannot be paid up short of ten
years This gives the school district
no chance whatever to use its credit
to its own advantage, aud 1t must
pay sum OF interest equal TO the
principal if it issues bonds at all.
Salem school district is now paying
over $4,000 year interest, enough to
conduct six or eight free kindergar .
tens for the little children.
This system can only be changed by
placing representative OF the people,
with correct ideas on school matters,
In the Office Of state superintendent.
Under State Superintendent Irwin
there has been no chance TO get any
new legislation. He is not to blame
in any manner for the present condi-
tiOn Of things. The right kind of a
man for state superintendent will
help straighten out the Oregon school
laws regulating finances.
The Union candidate is that kind
of man. He is a man OF the strict
est integrity OF character and of more
than average intelligence. He is a
graduate of Forest Grove college and
of Oberlln university. These Congre
gational schools turn out men OF
strong financial common sense, and
that is what Oregon needs in-
jected into her public school legisla
tiOn.
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