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


he had right to speak for the best
books. He was prepared to condemn
| the State books in part and the system
| in part
HE STOOD BY THE BOOKS.
Superintendent Howard of this coun-
| ty said that the remark had been made
| that he was in favor of the State books
because they were published in Sacra-
! mento. That was not so, for he would
favor them as much if they We're pup
lished in San Diego. He wanted to say
that he stood by the books, no matter
where they were published. The IDEA
of appointing a committee is to nave
it make an unfayOrable report on the
books. He wanted to tell the conven-
ton that if they attacked the BOOKS
they would be sorry. Many have been
teaching from them for years. was
there not always dissatisfaction with
| the books that were used before the
State books were made? 1t would be
| impossible to make series that would
be satisfactory to every one. He peg
ged the convention not to take any ac-
! ton that would be an entering wedge.
If any one is SO small as to feel ag-
grieved by the editorial, he did noe
think he would be competent to vote
on this question.
NOT WORTH MUCH.
Superintendent Chapman thought he
voiced the sentiment of the majority
of the superintendent in saying that
| if the copyright of the State books
were turned over to any publishers they
would not accept it. He did not see
why the State could not furnish good
books, except that the system might be
bad. He did not believe the State
should do anything in opposition to pri-
vate enterprise, whether printing books
or making jute bags at San Quentin.
He was in favor of superintendent
Nelson's motion, but moved that Su-
perintendent Linscott be made the
Chairman of the committee.
He was reminded that it was not the
time to make such a motion.
HOW IT WAS OF OLD.
superintendent Stout did not see how
a resolution could express the sentiment
of the convention. He knew that some
of the members were opposed to the
State text books, but he did not think
| that there was ever a set of books
made that gave full satisfaction to ev-
/ I
of past days, when he opened school
on the first day and found almost as
many different readers as there were
children. And when there was an at
tempt to obtain uniformity it was gen
orally the poorest parents who had TO
buy new ones. The resolutions would
either condemn or approve the books
and would make no difference. What
was the matter with the readers and
| grammars. he asked. He knew there
was some objection to the history Fol-
| himself he believed a good teacher
could teach from any kind of book,
and he believed that good teachers DO
| so with the State books (applause), ana
afterward use the supplementary books
| for variety and without violating the
law. He was satisfied that the commit
tee could not voice the sentiments or
the majority.
Superintendent Furlong said they
were not speaking to the question:
which was about books not belonging
to the series established in the Consti-
| tuition.
Superintendent Garlick agreed with
| Mr. Furlong that the convention was
going outside Of it's work and had moth
ing to do with the law, but was only
expressing the opinions of the individ-
| uals composing it.
superintendent Kirk concurred with
the other two speakers, and said that
| Section 1874 was the order of bust
ness.
Superintendent Black said the ques-
ton was on the resolution.
Superintendent Furlong asked for
the ruling of the Chair, and the latter
said that the convention had not de-
parted from the order of business.
| Superintendent HarrelI offered a res
olution that it was the sense Of the
convention that the State series of text
books should now be abolished, and
that it was the sense of the convention
that the State Board of Education
should be authorized by proper legisla-
ton to go into the open market and
purchase copyrights Of such textbooks
as may be adequate to meet the needs
of the schools of the State.
| Superintendent Sackett said he was
opposed to a part of the system.
The question was put, and the mo-
ton to appoint a committee was car
ried.
The Chair appointed as such commit
tee Messrs. Furlong, Erlewine, Lins-
colt, Bailey of San Diego and Nicely
monds.
State Printer Johnston extended to
the convention an invitation to visit
the State Printing Office to-day and
see the workings of it in printing the
text books. The invitation was &C
cepted, and the members will go at s
o'clock this morning.
| REGULAR ORDER.
| The regular order of business was
then taken up, and the recommendation
of the former convention to amend the
Constitution so as to take from county
boards the granting of high school GER
tificates was taken up. A motion to
of 26 noes to "a ayes.
| Superintendent Linscott spoke in IA
vor of the recommendation on the
ground that the majority of county
boards are not competent to examine
applicants for high school certificates.
Superintendent Chapman said that at
present holders of high school certii-
Gates are licensed to teach in the pri-
mary and grammar schools Many of
school, but are dismal failures in the
lower grades. The certificates should
be for high schools alone.
| The recommendation Of the former
convention was defeated
Superintendent Wood moved that the
report of the Committee on Certifica-
ton of Teachers be laid on the table,
but subsequently, withdrew his motion.