The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-11-27


the school committee from the Second
ward. who some time ago charged the
executive committee OF the school com
mittee with introducing an unauthorized
text book in the public schools. now comes
10 the front with more charges.
Mr. Edwards makes the claim that for
l3 years the monopoly of the business of
selling books to the city of Providence.
for use in the grammar and primary
schools. has been given To two publishing
houses. and talks of the particular books
that the city has purchased during that
Mr.. Edwards saws: ',rhose who know
the personnel and the working of the
school committee on text book matters
for some years past may be able 20 trace
yUrnr ttef4-bet et~aapthe- -Spfcinc- act
and the general policy.
The text books now In use In grammar
and primary grades. with date OF adop-
ton and publishers, are as follows:
1S87--A Series OF Seven Music Books;
Silver, Burdett a. CO.
1891 'nited States History; CHM & Co.
l-Language. Part l.: CHM a. Co.
lS3l--A series os six Normal Readers;
Silver, Burdett a. Co.
Language. Part II; CHM & Co.
tS92--(iraves Speller: CHM a. Co.
1@i-Primary Geography; CHM a. Co.
Arfthmetics: Silver Burdett a. Co.
lsst-Primary Geography; CHM q co.
lSg,-Complete Geography. CHM a Co.
lS%-Wentworths Mental Arithmetic;
CHM a Co.
1897 -chIld's Book Of Health; CHM & co.
Physiology Our Bodies: CHM e. Co. How
to Keep Well; CHM a. Co.
ATTACKS WHOLE COMMITTEE.
President Barney OF the school commit
tee Was seen by News man this morn
ing lie said that he had read the state
nent attributed 10 Mr.. Edwards and he
was OF the opinion that IL Mr. Edwards
meant to convey the idea that there was
some sort OF a conspiracy, then he would
have to charge the entire school commit
tee with IL.
Mr.. Barney said this was evident from
the fact that whenever new books had
been adopted II was done by almost al
ways unanimous vote OF the school COM
msttee, on the recommendation of the
committee on text books. and during the
past three years Mr.. Edwards had 80
voted himself.
In discussing the allegations made by
Mr.. Edwards one by one. Mr.. Barney
said: I'm the first controversy. which ap-
pears TO refer 10 the Normal Reader, I
can say that II was adopted by the school
committee by "A vote of "a to 13. and /
was one of the IL voting I'm the negative.
I'm the second case that OF Graves
spelier, which at that time. 1892. was not
published by Ginn a. Co, but who have
since acquired the copyright. the book
was adopted. but did not vote on the
question at all. being out of the state.
THEY BOTH VOTED.
I'm the third controversy. the adoption
OF the Biographies and arithmetics, the
record shows THAT Tire -beeks we're adopt
cd by the committee by vote OF 10 TO 3,
when I voted I'm the affirmative.
The only other controversy at all over
books adopted I'm my time az a member
OF the committee, was when Blaisdells
books were adopted in 1897. by a vote OF
% 10 ?. at which time both Mr.. Edwards
and myself voted for the adoption.
I'm all other adoptions of new books
during my time the vote has been unani-
nous.
''In relation 20 the music books, I can
say that the Silver. Burdett a Co. music
supplanted the CHM a. Co music book
by vote OF a. to g. This was done be-
cause the Burdett books were OF a newer
series.
Since Mr.. Edwards has been n mem
Der OF the school committee there has
never been change OF books he has not
Favored, and no change since 1894 that has
not been by unanimous vote except two,
that Of a vote of 10 10 I'm 1895 and q TO
2 in 1897.
BOOKS WELL RECOMMENDED.
There have never been any books or
dercd purchased or adopted until they
were most fully examined by the commit
tee. after which they were adopted by an
emphatic. and often unanimous vote
Time has always been taken 60 consider
ell propositions very carefully. even sf-
ter recommendation by subcommittee
The Normal Reader matter was con-
sidered from May. lSee 30 June. 1891 aud
was then reported favorably BY a ma3ori-
~ OF the committee on text books. con-
sisting OF Hunter e. White. Charles r.
Stark. Albert e. Day and Julia a. Osgood
minority report being made by Alfred
Metcalf, rhe books were adopted 20 to
l3. and 7 voted IN the negative
THE spcller was reported January %.
1872. and laid over until the last FRIDAY
IN June. isoe. before ~ was adopted. I
was not present az the meeting
1T II, perhaps well 10 consider. IN
~c-r-r~r-fe-f- With tbe- allasatiaHs made Ia
Mr. Edwards. something about the per-
soDncl of the committees on text books
during the several periods he refers to.
PERSONNEL OF COMMITTEES
In 1870. AZ the time that the United
Stairs history. the FIRST part Of Tsrbslrs
language books aud series of Normal
Readers Nero adopted. the members of
the committee on text bnoks we're Hum.
>-r e. White, Alfred MotcaR. Albert &