The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-02-02
Satisfied State Uniformity Is a
Good Thing.
HE WRITES A LETTER.
Repudiates Combine Bill Being
Used Under His Name.
Suggests Minor Changes in the
Law

State SUPERINTENDENT Frank Nelson
has come out against the book trust at
last. He went before the educational
committee of the house with the desire
to withdraw his textbook bill. since the
book trust has taken it up as a good
thing with which to destroy state uni
| fermity. He defended the bill intro
duced by the legislative committee of
the State Teachers association. into
which the combine is trying to inject
amendments that would destroy state
uniformity.
Mr.. Nelson declared his position in the
following letter sent to the same COM
mittee:
"Gentlemen Of the Committee have
tried to represent the educational
thought Of the state and have given the
question of state uniformity my most
earnest attention. After weighing the
subject very carefully, it seemed to me
that relief might be given to the schools
by inserting in the uniformity law
provision giving the people the right,
if they so desire, TO vote for free text
books when the adopted texts have been
found inferior. The legislative commit
tee Of the State Teachers association
supported me in this view and we IN
corporated the provision in our bill, be-
lieving it to be a safe and conservative
remedy.
However, after we had drawn up our
became evident to me that there is a
strong combination on the outside that
has taken advantage OF this free text
book provision of the bill and has
thrown it's support in its favor, not for
the purpose of securing the relief which
we desire, but to destroy state uniform
ity. The ostensible support given the
bill by the combination at this time is
for the purpose OF securing Tor tnelr
ultimate end-the overthrow Of state
niformity-whatever strength may be
attached to it by reason of its recon-
mendation by the legislative committee
of the State Teachers association. My
Judgment leads me to believe that their
plan is to introduce amendments on the
floor of the house until the bill has been
patched up and modified to such an ex-
tent that state uniformity Will be en-
tirely destroyed.
ssThe time has come when action must
be taken, and I desire the legislature
and the people who have honOred me
with their confidence and support to
know Just where stand. I am not in
favor of any plan and I will not be a
party to any measure that has for its
ultimate purpose the overthrow OF state
uniformity. I have kept, and I propose
to keep, my face fixed firmly upon the
school houses of Kansas and I will not
lend my influence to any effort that
aims to thwart the will of the people. I
will not permit my name or my official
position to be associated with any meas
ure contrary to what believe to be
right This is just what the combinaL-
ton is trying to do
I'VE must preserve state uniformity.
Make ample provision for supplemental
matter when the adopted texts are used
in good faith Maintain the exchange
feature of the law. The people have had
the exchange under the present law and
they are entitled to it in the future. En-
large the provision for competitive bids.
This will bring more and better books
to the commission. have reasons to
believe that the textbook commission,
to be appointed by the governor, will
be composed of men who will give us the
very best books that can be secured for
use in our schools
Mr.. Nelson Is taking the correct atti-
tude If he is really a friend of the Kansas
sehooIs HIS position prior to lar ana q, during ING
people to believe that he was an enemy of
state uniformity of school books which
has proved such a boon to the people of
6. F. Gratta nof Mcpherson, chairman
of the house education committee, said
my bill will be reported by the COM
mitttee with these features. Uniformity
will be preserved and arrangements will be
made to permit of the adoption of sup
Elemental aids. The bill will have to be
redrafted and viii be practically new
bill. Who shall select the supplemental
aids is not yet decided Whether that Sc
lection shall be assigned to the book COM
mission or to the districts will have to be
determined I think the aids should be
uniform
Robert Dougherty of Harvey. another
member of committee, said he would like
to see some check placed on the conanis-
sion to insure the adoption Of more salts
factory books on certain subjects. SO that
the objections that are made that certain
books are unsatisfactory could be removed.
He said the text book on history used, for
instance. was Objectionable as being un-
patriotic, because very little attention is
given to historical events, such as but