The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-04-27

tain certificates to teach the youth OF
the country
superintendent Towards amendment
was defeated, and the section adopted
as reported
Section 1913, regarding examinations
was adopted without debate.
THE SPARK WAS DROPPED.
The proposed amendment to Section
1874, allowing the month of April, in
addition to the time allowed in the
present law, for change of textbooks
was the spark that ignited the explosive
material in the convention. A divis-
ion was called for and the proposition
Won
superintendent Linscott declared that
his opposition was not against the
month of April, but against textbook;
changes.
Another member said that if that had
been stated before, it might have re
suited in a different vote Another
superintendent asked if there was a
county in the State that did not Use
supplementary books.
A superintendent said that if the
textbook question was to come up
there was no use of starting in the de-
bate for half an hour, and starting il
again after adjournment He moved
that recess be taken until half-past l
Carried
superintendent Erlewine asked the
members not to make any engage
ments for the evening" as the Odd Eel
lows would hold their anniversary in
the evening, and were DESTROYS of en-
tertainino tba MON barc Of +Ia oop1yo,,
ton. He promised them a pleasant
time, and that the ladies should not
lack escorts
THE FIGHT WAS ON.
When the convention reconvened in
the afternoon the fight was on. Sec
ton 1874 had been made the special
order for half-past /.
Before the matter was taken UP ex-
State Superintendent F. M Campbell
and ex-County superintendent S. A.
Davis, A. B. Coffey, F. A. Turner, w.
w. Seaman and Harr Wagner were
made honorary members of the con-
vention.
superintendent Cubberly moved that
the convention adjourn at $50 o'clock
TO the Sacramento Grammar School, to
listen to a talk on drawing by Miss
Golden. Carried.
Superintendent Linscott said that he
had been accused of having. in his ex-
PLANTATION of his vote in the morning,
of precipitating a debate on the text
book question. He thought that the
question must come up sooner or later,
and might as we'll come up now as any
other time.
He read the law governing the use
of text books and said he believed
there was not a superintendent in the
State that was not violating it-in a
good cause, to be sure, but none the
less violating it. Was this in accord
ance with the high standard of moral
ity that their position demands?
The evening paper in this city had
last night said nothing of a meeting of
County Superintendent, men and wO-
men of ability and integrity,
who had come here to con-
slider questions Of the most vital inn
portance to the school system of the
State, but had published an editorial
saying that they were surrounded by
emissaries of the book ring, and even
charging that members were in the
pay of the book men. In the name of
this assembly he denounced it as an
insult (Applause.)
AS a representative of thousands Of
men in the State would say if they had
their way. Bury the State text books, -
he would say so For sixteen years he
had been superintendent, and in all
that time no book agent had made an
improper proposal to him. There might
be a ring. but he did not know it, If
so. There might be rascals in its en-
ploy; he could not say. But he knew
that there were beautiful readers being
constantly published by the book men,
and he was glad there are those who
will give the people books that they can
take into the .schoolroom and teach
from and take home to their families
and show what can be made in the
shape of proper books He was salts
fed that if the teachers could have
their way they would ask that the
State buy the plates of some good
books to aid them in teaching.
The paper he spoke of was, he be-
Ilieved, the same one that published a
"Thank God" edition, echoes of which
shook Sacramento and the Capitol to
their foundation. 1t was not the only
naper that had made such charges as
this. For himself. he stood for the
bows and girls of the State, and when
the people find out that the state text
books cost from one-third to one-hali
more than other and better books they
will demand a change. The conVen-
ton cannot afford, after that editorial
to go forth without taking up the mat
ter He stood to-day in this position
and desired to offer resolution as fol-
lows: That the County and City Super
intendents here assembled proclaim
that they are utterly opposed to the
State text books and the provisions OF
the constitution providing for them.
Mrs. Dittmar, superintendent OF
shasta County. moved that the resolu-
ton be adopted.
Superintendent Nelson said the con-
vention was approaching a very serious
question. He hoped they would no'
write hastily something that might be
misconstrued. He moved that com
mittee of five be appointed by the
Chair to write a report expressing the
oninion of this convention relating &c
the proper place and use OF the state
series of text books in the schools OF
/ California.
COULD TALK FOR HIMSELF.
superintendent Erlewine said he, too
| felt that it would be well to be cautious
! in the matter, but he failed to see no"
a committee could express the feelings
and sentiment of the convention. Ihere
are many times speeches made to the
gallery. He thought when he first reac
| tba article that if was a little haSty
/ but he saw now that there was more III
lit than was at first apparent. He founc
| that there were some in the conven
| -..a..,l1 1il.o % hurry the STATE