The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1900-12-26
Gov. crRR's TEXTBOOK COMMISSION.


Probably never in the history Of Oregon
has the appointment Of a commission
with small emolument caused such gem
eal interest as the naming Of the forth
coming school text book commission.
Even the election Of the United States
Senator Is not much more commented
upon by the press oi the state. This is
as Il should be for the selection OF the
text books, for our rising generation is OF
vastly more importance 10 our common
wealth than the personality Of senator.
Gov. Geer has wisely laid his plans in
this matter, and in following out the
ideas expressed in his widely circulated
newspaper interviews on this subject he
intends 70 be guided by principles which
mean something for our state rather
than by individual iavoritism. This
again Is as il should be,
The men named on this commission
should be not only OF the highest type
Of American citizenship, butthey should
be good business men, as well as men
versed in the needs OF the growing youth
Of our state. Their work will be a sacred
task. and only men should be placed in
charge Of 1t who will contemplate their
duties from that point Of view. Above
all things they should he iar-seeing, and
able 20 know before they act just what
tho ultimate effect Of their work will
be in its relation 10 themselves and the
public. This may seem 10 be asking a
deal great, but why not? Is not Oregon
entitled TO the best men in the public
service Are not the Oregon children
entitled 10 the best that can be had
Now is the vital time, and II the right
kind OF commission is named, such
an one as the Governor has outlined
10 be chosen, these high ideals will have
been met II the commission should be
made up of interior or mediocre talent
It would be too late to get the results
desired, hence the great wisdom Of NOV
ing rightly at this time.
lforegon ever comes TO the front, il
will be necessary TO have her schools
take the lead and there is no imaginable
way in which this can be so we'll done as
by giving our teachers and pupils the
best tools 10 work with. There are few
homes Ia the state which are not more
vitality interested in this one question
than they are in who is to be president,
or whether our government Is for or
against certain policies. What aehild
gets ont OF his school work is what tells
Ia the future OF our commonwealth, and
his facilities for getting the most out Of
these years will have the most telling
effect for our state.
Three influences seem 10 be at work to
shape the selection OF the commission.
First, the limitations oithe constitution,
pointed out by the Governor, including
members Of the last legislature who
voted for the bill, and persons who are
holding some other lucrative Office OF
eltction or appointment. This also ex-
cludes the county superintendents. Be-
ing reform measure, it's faithful eNecp-
sionprecludes making up the commission
d persons who are responsible for the
conditions now prevailing in the text
look business IN Oregon, Persons are
being pefilloned for and highly recon-
nended Who not only opposed the DAILY
bill, but who would be perfectly salts.
fed 20 keep AZ the present text books
Al present pricea, and who would even
keep ihe system that has worked 80
hadiJ n there islo be any subsian'
fAi reiorm under the DAILY