The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-02-28
GUMMINS
FREE TEXT
BOOK BILL
Recommended for Passage by
the House.
CREATED LITTLE DEBATE
Bribery Clause in Bill Covered
by Misdemeanor Statute.
CREATED LITTLE DEBATE

Guthrie o. T., Feb. 1.-THE house this
afternoon, in committee of the whole
recommended the passage of Cummins'
optional free text book bill, ordering the
same engrossed. The bill came up on a
special order of business, and contrary
to expectations, did not create lengthy
debate The measure provides that all
school book publishers desirous of supply
ing text books shall file with the gov
ernor, secretary and territorial superin-
tendent a list Of such books, lowest net
cash price delivered; lowest net cash mall
ing price; also net cash exchange price
for which the publisher will supply books
TO pupils in public schools having old
books. The price of books offered must
not be raised during the term Of adop-
ton. The text book board shall con-
sist of principals of schools of cities of
the first-class and county superintend-
ents The territorial superintendent Is
required to send out circulars giving list
of all studies required to be taught, call
ing upon the superintendents to give their
votes in favor Of text books, which in
their opinion should be selected as the
standard books to be used in the schools
of the territory.
The text books or series of text books
having the highest number of any votes
in any branch shall be the authorized
text books in that branch for a period of
six wears. next succeeding the official
announcement OF the territorial superin-
tendeut. The contract shall be signed
by the governor, attorney general and
superintendent Of public instruction on
and in behalf of the territory.
Whenever a majority of free holders of
any school district shall petition the
board of education or directors the ques-
tion Of free text books shall be submitted
TO the electors Of the district. If free
text books shall be furnished free of
charge to the pupils of the district and
a levy of one per cent may be made to
provide the necessary funds. Pupils may
own their own books, however, securing
them at actual cost.
There is q bribery" clause in the bill
and the extent of punishment covered
by the misdemeanor statute The bill Will
come up for final passage next week.
Governor Ferguson today definitely de-
cided that he will not sign the university
equipment bill carrying with it an ap-
preparation of $4,000 for the next two
years.
Il cannot sign this BILL" said the gov
ernor this afternoon. 1T is time to call
q halt on extravagant appropriations.
Let the educational institutions progress
as the territory advances. The bill SEEM
ingIy is a measure equipping the school,
library. gymnasium and yet in spite of
tbs fact it seems that it is merely a meas
ure to get an appropriation to meet
deficit
Il have no criticism for Mr. James
/ think that he is an innocent party in the
matter The law Of two years ago pro-
vides that not more than $4,000 should
be expended for the erection of a new
building, heating and lighting plant, fur
niture and equipment and gymnasium
S77.455 has already been expended in
buildings. heating plant, plumbing and for
the services of an architect and superin-
tendent of buildings. In the equipment
bill there is a demand for money to pay
for a heating and lighting plant, when it
should have been fully paid for out of the
former fund. The present law contem-
plated that gymnasium should be erect
ed out of the 10000. There is no gym
nasium now. $4,000 is about all that could
reasonably be expected from the levy. 1t
was not known how much the levy could
raise, consequently $4,000 was made the
limit
The University people are up against a