The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-02-10
Legislators Considering PROPOSE
ton to Change Texts in
Missouri Schools.
TWO LOBBIES ARE AT WORK.
Contracts Expire July 1 and New
Ones Must Be Let-COmmis-
sion Proposed to Set
tie Matter.

Jefferson City, No., Feb. 9.-The subject
OF new textbooks for the school children
of Missouri is beginning to arouse more
than a desultory interest among the MEM
bers of the General Assembly. Already GER
tain Representatives are taking sides on the
different propositions which have been made
for the purchase of new school books. and
unless oil is poured on the troubled waters
It is likely that some Of the hottest debates
of the session will be over the necessary
legislation incident TO the ending of the
present contract.
July of this year the contract Will end
Most of the school teachers of the State are
said TO be in favor of 4 revision of the pres
ent textbooks. claiming that those now IN
are unsatisfactory in many instances.
Some teachers fear that a new contract
might force worse books on the schools, and
thus work an injury
1t is needless to say the representatives OF
the publishers holding the contract coincide
with the latter view OF the situation, ana
are trying by every method to block legls.
lation. II this can be done their books will
continue to be used
LOBBY AT WORK
Another lobby wishes to enact new iegis-
lation in order to give them q chance at
bidding. They are perfectly willing for books
texts are named.
The storm center at present is in the
which Davidson of Marion is chairman
There are two plans under consideration
one to permit the Governor to name per
manent commission Of five to make text
book contracts and another proposing that
the Superintendent of Schools. Attorney
STeT anq sba be the
mission TO make new contracts Tor those
now expiring.
amendment, which may be adopted, though
II was voted down In the committee at one
time. 1t proposes that the Governor appoint
a committee of five, of which the State Su-
r,arDfepdepf and rhe school announcements
in St Louis and Kansas City shall oe mem
bers, the other two to be named at the
Governors discretion.
There have been numerous meetings Of the
committee. At present there is considerable
speculation regarding the way In which the
fight will end. but as long as matters are
delayed the holders of the present contracts
will be satisfied.
JUVENILE COURT.
James L. Blair will be here Wednesday
night to speak before a meeting of criminal
jurisprudence committees of the Senate ana
House on the juvenile-court bill. Though
nearly every one Is in favor of the intent
of the bill. there is considerable opposition
to that part which will permit me court
to take child from its parents at its dis
cretion.
written to several St. Louis members, pro-
testing against this feature Of the bill.
In letter to one Of them he says:
Under the provisions of this act. the
Judge Of Mr.. BlairS court would have the
authority TO take a child away from HIM
IL bottle of whisky were found on his
premises The law is not definite ,sI enoaSh A. on
parent from being the guardian Of its own
child. l don't believe in comforting distre-
and think the masses Of the people think
the same as l do on this subject. There
are other sections of the Blair bill equally
as Questionable as the one 1 have already
An Of which will 20 through the washing
"Wednesday night.
RACING LEGISLATION.
Race-track legislation seems to be lying
which has been introduced will receive Sc
rious consideration, especially from the
friends Of the Sedalia fair. The bill has been
introduced by Senator Dowell. and doubles
the license which bookmakers must pay to
the State.
Many friends of the fair feel that any
result in wipng all race-track legislation
from the books and leave them without
revenue from this Importance source Last
year the st. Louis tracks netted the fair
fund nearly S25,000-no small sum. consider
ing the fact that is needs every cent to make
permanent improvements.
Captain Carmody Is a regular visitor in
the Capitol. The only visible result has
been the introduction of a bill by Senator
sue licenses to tracks for no more than
forty days racing in one year. That bill
Still slumbers in committee. and an unfa-
Vorable report is expected.
Z
Locker of Pulaski has introduced a dupli-
cate of the Minnesota primary law in the
House. In Minnesota. all party primaries
are held on the same day, they either be-
ing direct nominations or for delegates to
conventions 1t Is claimed that this does
not permit unfair contests and trading Of
votes between party manipulators.
i am sure that If this bill were enacted
into law" said Mr.. Locker yesterday sit
would do away with the Indian vote in
the cities. The courts and Election Com
missioners would have the naming of
Judges, clerks and challengers and things
would be entirely different. Every one
would know exactly when the primary
would be held. as the bill names the dates.
1t will do away with manipulation to a
large extent and give every one a fair
show"
Meanwhile Senator Collins has introduced
McGrath primary bill to govern St Louis.
1t is not thought that 1t Will command any
great degree Of strength for itself. but it
may be used as club in other legislation.
The real primary bill for St. Louis is
considered to be the one which recon-
mends amendments to the present law and
cepting for the House of Delegates. This
bill is recommended by all members of the
Board of Election Commissioners, is non
partisan and is expected to pass on its
merits.
1t is thought that copies of the new cleo
ton law for st. Louis will be printed by
the latter part of this week. AS it covers
matter. 1t may be seen that It will be a
bulky measure. Until 1t has been printed
and distributed among the members very
rev OF them are expressing views concern
ing its merits and demerits.