Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-07-30
THE SCHOOL. BOOK QUESTION

The meeting Of members Of the lat
textbook convention held on Tuesday
does not seem to have betered the sIt
uatlon TO very appreciable degree
Particulars Of the proceedings win b
found in our local columns. The mos
striking features Of the gathering were
attacks upon the Descret News an
some prominent Utah educators who's
views were ventilated IN this paper, an'
an endorsement Of the course taken b.
Superintendent Nelson in reference t.
the late convention aud the LITIGATION
that has ensued True. the meetnl
endorsed the action Of the school booi
convention, advised Superintendent
Nelson TO call another convention, an'
supported him in taking an appeal IRON
the decision Of the District Court Ru
these matters were left TO his 1udg
ment and therefore the textbook STU
alton remains as It was before thu
meeting Of Tuesday convened.
The principal part OF the time speh'
was taken up with ill-timed and un-
truthful rawlings against the Deseret
News, the Judge who rendered the de-
clslon that the proceedings Of the text
book convention were not IN accordance
with law, some publishing houses
charged with using undue influence IN
the matter in dispute, and in defending
the Superintendent Of Public lnstruc-
ton from charges that had never been
made against him.
After indulging In language That
would not be expected from men repre-
sentlng the educational affairs Of the
respective counties in this state,and ex-
hlblting temper altogether out Of place
in a meeting Of that kind. the rash and
excited orators Gained down, and when
they saw In cold print some OF the re-
marks they had made IN the earlier
part OF the day, they began to see how
their sayings would be taken by the
public, and how they had exposed
themselves to the criticism OF rational
and decent people. Resolutions were
reported from a committee whose
names appear attached to the docu-
taent, Of which the assembly became
ashamed. and they were therefore laid
upon the table. our readers will per-
ceIye that the committee In presenting
the resolutions which were afterwards
expunged simply reflected expressions
that were made by members in the ear
ly part OF the session; and that they
we're subsequently stricken out, is EVIL
denoe that better sense prevailed be-
fore the meeting adjourned
II will be seen that the member who
used the most irrational remarks con-
corning this paper in the same spirit
expressed his contempt for courts Of
law. For these he declared he had no
use" and thought "Thelr purpose is TO
iNAhAt JAahiNfs iefAblN AAt ANttklllk
closed he withdrew his attack, which,
perhaps, was mark Of that
discretion which is said to be
the better part Of yalor" The gentle
man does not appear to be given to very
great discretion, a remark which could
be very strongly emphasized by a full
account Of proceedings at the conven-
tlon Of five years ago with which he was
very closely associated. These, how
ever, We shall not yentilate at present |
unless II becomes necessary, as we
have avoided everything personal In
the discussion Of the schoolbook ques-
ton.
The meeting on Tuesday received the !
benefit OF the advice Of the Attorney
Genral, who was invited to attend. lie
counseled the members against taking !
an appeal from Judge Halls decision.
and thought It better to call new
convention for the settlement Of the
difficulty. He gave some good reasons |
why the appeal should not be taken. !
and they were similar to those ex- |
pressed by the Daseret News. The |
meeting, however ignored that advice. |
ana patted Superintendent Nelson on |
the back urging him on to make the ap- |
peal. This was not objected 20 by the |
courteous and sweet-tongued member
from Piute. even though he had mo use |
for courts Of law"
That lawyers disagree is as much Of /
an adage as that doctors differ and |
so It is in this case. Eminent ATTORNEYS |
on either side are positive from their
readings o. the law, that the LAWYERS |
On the other side are mistaken. AS 10 |
the legality Of holding another text |
book convention az this time. The
chapter Of the statutes on this subject |
- brief End explicit, and can be- read |
ond understood by common fox as well
as lawyers, Under the ruling OF the
District court the action VI the late
school convention IS now nun and void |
because Of irregularities in It's proceed |
ings How another convention can be |
called under the provisions Of that |
chapter 1t is very difficult to see. The |
simplest and easiest way out Of the /
dilemma u that which has been point |
ed out in these columns. That course |
IS still open TO Superintendent Nelson, |
as the meeting Of Tuesday virtually LETT |
the whole business in his hands and |
Upon him rests all the responsibility.
Now as TO the remarks OF the Dies. |
eret News. In reference 10 the conyen. |
ton and the Superintendent OF Public |
Instruction. From the remarkable Ian. |
Buage INDUCED In on Tuesday, the pub.
lie might be led TO believe that the