The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-12-18
y TOOL BOOKS-A MATTER FOR
THE LEGISLATURE.

L upnO CoANdA3O4 a6AlaNAOh IL
= Carolina is no new thing. The late
Rev. DR.. Calvin H. Wiley began 1t
in the FORTRESS a long time ago now.
From that day the more intelligent,
considerable people have been interest
ed in this important question. This
year some politicians talked for edu-
cation on the hastings. and somewhat
Of a fresh impetus was given to the
subject. But there are newspapers in
North Carolina that never hold up on
that important matter for the people.
The Messenger frequently reverts to it.
and in q decade has had probably more
thar twenty-five editorials bearing
upon it.
There is some very necessary legisla-
ton hat should be attended to when
the general assembly meets in January
next. AS recently suggested by The
Messenger there is much need for a
reconstruction of b law governing
the common schools. But not only is
such a revision pressing. but there is
another matter involving dollars and
cents that should be examined and
oSAG1 AROA1 ~
the school law hat concerns the school
books adopted imperatively appeals to
the best judgment of discreet law
makers.
In 1895, the fusion legislature changed
the method Of adopting books in North
Carolina. taking this power out of the
hands of the state board Of education
and putting Il into the hands of the
county boards. and under the present
haw school books are adopted by the
county board Of school directors IN
lei of the various counties Of North
Carolina. The constitutional amend
mCat was submitted to the legislature
of 1898 and it being the paramount and
all-absorbing issue. it was thought
well to subordinate everything else
to it and thereby obviate discussion.
as far as possible. upon other issues:
SO that act of $50 was not repealed
and now remains as amended by the
act OF 1899. chapter 1872.
Let us look into this a little. How did
the original law work? So long as the
governor had to pass upon the adop-
ton Of the school books selected for
the public schools there was no cry
ing evil. but the state had protection
ia a great extent against the ravenous
trusts OF the combined book companies.
But. alaSi a change was made in 1895,
and then a great harm was wrought
for much confusion followed, and the
people became heirs to a useless and
So b.
originated IN the first place by the in
STABILITY OF the law and the powers
given the various county boards. as
wei SIS the failure on the part of some
OF TIE county officers to enforce the
letter OF the law regulating the use of
the books adopted; the influence. ac-
tiyity and persistency of the trust
agents. whose books were mainly
adopted. in preventing the use of N
other books. although others 100 a lin
tied extent were previously ordered to |
be used and in many cases were SUI
perior in merit and cheaper IN price. |
Second, under county adoption. the
books used by the various counties
may differ and frequently do to such
o6 " ACSC0SlldlS lie puI- |
ehase OF new and different books, by
the parents. has been burden
some. and as some parents changed
their residences from one county to an
other 1T caused the books on hand 10
be useless. n this necessitated the
purchase Of other books for their chill
~dren. AS the poorer classes are the
chief beneficiaries of the common
schools this enforced purchase of books
and often a. exorbitant prices. This
Is n manifest and unnecessary burden
and affIiction. Since the active can
vass OF asst summer there can be no
steps backward now. The promise of
the white men to enlarge. TO extend |