Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1901-01-24
THE SCHOOL BOOK MATTER.
Engages The Attention of The
Legislature.
SENATE.

Christian Church.
A large number OF bills were re-
ported from the various committees %
which they were referred.
One Of the most important questions
that will claim the attention Of the
General Assembly is the proposition
TO adopt uniform system or series OF
textbooks in all the public free schools
of the State
The first bill OF this character to be
presented was introduced in the Senate
yesterday by Senator Aycock Of
Wayne. It is lengt..y and carefully
drawn bill. which was at once ordered
to be printed and sent TO the public
printer, Printed copies will not be
available this morning, however, and
50 the Post presents to its readers the
following summary Of the bill:
A bill to Provide for the Creat iOn OF a
Textbook Commission, and 70 Pro
cure for use in the Public Free
Schools a Uniform Series Of Text
books:
Sec. Is requires the successful bid
der to maintain in each OF three go
towns Of the State depository 10 be
designated by the commission. whore
a supply Of the books sufficient to
meet all demands shall be kept; also
for distribution Of the books.
Sec. IA provides for the maintenance
OF the commission during the five t3)
years Of the contract. and at the eX-
piratioD Of that time the readvertise
ment for new bids, etc.
Sec u applies to the duties Of the
Superintendent of instruction in re-
gard to the distribution Of the books.
See. IS The books adopted shall be.
used to the exclusion OF all others
provided, that supplementary books
may be used.
Sec. II allows portions of public
schools to purchase books in the usual
way in case nc contract shall be made,
or if the contractor fails or refuses to
furnish books as provided in this act
Sec IS makes it a misdemeanOr for
any teacher or person to violate thl1
act.
Sec. 10 makes it a misdemeanor for
any teacher to use any textbook upon
the branches embraced in this act diff
ferent from the book adopted,
Sec. 20 guards against extort-on.
Sec. Il apprOpriates $500 tfrom
; school fund.- to carry out act.
Sec % stipulates that members OF
! the commission shall serve without
! compensation: that members OF sub
commission shall receive 81 per diem
| during time actually engaged.
The bin provides:
/ That the commission shall consist
| Of the Governor and Superintendent Of
! Public instruction, together with three
! members of the State Board Of Educa-
| ton. to be named by the Governor.
! This commission is empowered and
! directed to select and adopt uni
! form sytem Or series of text books:
| and when so selected and adopted the
text books shall be used for peri>G
/ of five 90 years in all the public
schools; and it shall not be lawful to
use any other book upon the same
| branches Of study.
The series adopted shall include the
! following branches Of study: Orthogra-
phv, Defining. Writing. Arithmetic.
! Geography. Grammar. Language Les
sons, History Of n. c. containing the
! Constitution of State), History If /.
| S. containing Constitution Of Cnitei
| States), Physiology, Hygiene, the na-
ture and effect of alcoholic drinks and
| narcotics, Elements Of Civil Govern
ment Theory and Practice of Teach
ing. None of these books shall con-
tain anything Of partisan or sectari-
| an character.
Section 3 provides for the appoint
. ment of a sub-commission Of ), TO be
| selected from among the teachers and
| CITY of county superintendent actu
ally engaged in school business in this
State mot more than one from any one
Congressional district, to whom snail
! he referred all books sent to State Text
| Book Commission as specimen Cor!es
| of same, upon which bids arn to be
/ based.
This committee shall report on the
| merits of the books, irrespective OF
price, taking into consideration the
| subiect-matter. the printing material
and mechanical qualities and general
suitability Of the books.
Section 4 provides for the report 0!
this sub-commissiOn TO the COMMITS
sion. at such time as the latter m2'
| direct. etc. This report shall be kept
secret, sealed UP and delivered TO the
| secretary Of the Commission, and snail
not, be opened until the Comml2sio1
| shall meet in executive session to con
slider bids or proposals.
Section prescrbes the adminlstra
| tiOn of OathS, etc, TO commissioners
Stimulating that no member shall DE
interested in any way in any book OF
! publishing concern or proposed con
| tract
Section S defines the manner II
which the Commission shall select anc