The age-herald., 1900-12-16
Uniform Texi Book B.,I.

MT. Bulger's text book bill has been printed. It is a carefully drawn and val uable reform measure against varied books in the public schools, all sold at two prices. Very few States are now without a law governing the supply, selection and sale of text books, and these few are found In this section of the country.
 The bill makes the Governor, the State Superintendent of Education and one other man to be selected by them the final State Text Book Commissioner, responsible to the people; but this final board is to be aided by sub-commision of five, to be appointed by themselves from the teachers and coun- ty superintendents of the State, no two of whom are to live in one Congressional dis trict. To this sub-commission all books offered are to go, together with the bids upon them. The sub-commission is to re- port in detail upon all books submitted or selected to the commission, which report Is to be kept secret until it is opened and acted upon by the commissioner. The com mission is not bound to adopt the conclu- sions of the sub-commssion, although the bill says it shall give due consideration and great weight to the report and rec ommendation' of the sub-commisson. When the report of the sub-commission has been acted upon 1t is to be filed in the of- flee of the State Superintendent of Educa- ton and is to be open at all times to public inspection.
 Practically speaking the sub-commission Is the determining board. It is to act under oath. The chief commission advertises for and opens the bids, but the bids go to I.e sub-commission. and are acted upon and examined and sifted by 1t. All bids are to be based upon the furnishing of the books named for a period of five years, and no longer. The price at which each book will be furnished Is to be specifically end definitely stated.
 When bid is accepted a contract is made between the State and the bidder, and the bidder must give bond ranging from siO,O00 to $3O,OO0 for the faithful perform unce or HIS cOHtrdCl' OH luS pdCh ol edCh book Is to be printed plainly the contract price, as we'll as the exchange price, No contract is to be made at higher rates than the bidder Is supplying similar books for to other communities in other States, and if the commissioner finds that the bidder is selling a book at a less price elsewhere the State may sue for and recover the diff ference The exchange price Is not 10 be less than 50 per cent. of the original price, and Is obligatory Provision is made in the bill against any possible combination of bidders. All may be rejected at any time. and new bids called for.
 The bidder is to maintain depository in twelve cities of the State, and at least three agencies in each county, or he may make arrangements with a merchant for the dis tribution of needed school books. The list of books selected. the price of each book, and the manner of distribution shall be made known in a circular letter from the Superintendent of Education to each teacher in the State. The books selected shall be exclusively used as text books in the schools of the State.
 There is not much patronage in the bill. The Governor and State Superintendent of Education are to serve without pay. The