The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-05-07

those OF proper age. that it should go a
| step farther and make the text books free.
thus having 4 free school system, not
only in name, but in operation as well.
Since bringing this matter 10 the pub
| lie notice. Mr.. Grimes has had many as
surances that it is the proper thing for
the republican party to advocate and
| from present indications it viii be one Of
I the big issues IN the next campaign. and
Will become as popular an issue as free
homes.
In speaking about the matter Mr
Grimes said:
Since this territory furnishes every
thing for the child who desires an eiu-
cation bat school books. 1t seems 70 me
that it IS time that we go one step farther
and furnish the books for the children.
We have splendid school fund and
when it comes TO matter Of expense
IL IS safe TO say that it VIII cost the pec-
pie Of this territory from a5 per cent 10 40
per cent less than is the case at the pres
ent time We all know that ir insny fam
lies the question IF school books is re
nlentous one. Fhefs are times when the
family is large, tnat iis father feels that
he cannot longer furnish hooks for the
older children n that they must Ieave
school and hustle To halp he family With
free text books it would be an incentive
to send the child to school longer, for
then it would only be an effort on the
fathers part 70 furnish the home. the
clothing, and not paying anything FOR the
education Of his children in direct man
ner.
with the rich people the matter of
books does not appeal to them as it does
to the poorer classes; yet It is the poorer
classes that we must look after, and there
is no reason why children of poor parents
should not have every advantage as far
as it IS in the power cf the territory to
furnish the same.
when the contract with the American
Book company was made it was said that
we would have Uniform text books. but
do we have them? Then, again. there is |
no competition in the book business 1t I
makes no difference where the child goes
to get books the prices are the same, and !
they are made by the American Book /
company. In the matter of prices there /
is uniformity. bur this has not been TO +
the advantage of the school children of I
Oklahoma. BY having free text books 4
three commissioners could be appointed I
TO select the paper look after the con-
tents of the books and 10 supervise the /
accepting OF bids for the printing OF these
books. BY having it done by contract and
bids received by the same. the people Of
the territory would have ample oppor-
-unity to know that 10 jobbery was done,
1r even attempted. However. these mat
-ers mentioned are merely technical but
The question which confronts the people
IF the territory is the advisability OF
adopting such a plan. and I, for one af-
er thorough investigation, am in favor
If the adoption of a clause of this kind
It our next congressional convention |
There is no reason why this territory
should not take a step farther in the
'anks of education. and with our sys-
EN- as it is now it would be an easy mat
er to have free text books for the chill
lren Of this territory Another thing as
he republican party is the aggressive and
progressive party Of this territory, it is
My proper for us TO advocate things
Thich are of vital interest to our people.
nd il we once go into this matter there
s no reason why we cannot carry il on
o success. We secured free homes after
months of arduous labor. and there is evil
ently no cause why we cannot secure
rec text books