The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-02-14
SENATE PROVIDES UNIFORM
 SCHOOL BOOKS FOR STATE

works and an electric lighting plant was also passed. House bill 2s7 the general appropriation bill, and House bill 165, relating to divorce. were signed by the presiding officer.
 The Text Book Bill.
 As the clock struck 12, Senator John- ston arose and stated that the time had come when, according to agreement his uniform textbook bill was to be consid- cred He offered a number of amend ments which had been agreed upon by himself and friends of the measure. In nresentinx these, he made short speech in favor of the bill.
 ..The friends of this bill." said he, "are actuated by but one motive-to better the free public school system of the State. Two things we propose to accomplish: less frequent charges of textbooks Tor the common schools, and discount Tn the cost of these. The complaint Is made that too much Is being paid for text books, and the complaint is just one. This is proved by the presence here to- day of a representative of the Southern Book Publishing Company of Atlanta, of fering to furnish for the whole State of Alabama books of first quality at cost of about half of what has been hereto fore and is now being paid.
 'sThe bill proposes to lower the cost of school books and as such is measure of relief for the poor of the State, for the horny handed sons of toll. If there is any class that deserves help at our hands 1t is these. In the desire to assist them somewhat in the noble purpose of edu- eating their children we have offered this bill. If we are indifferent to their inter ests the responsibility is with us, and the disappointment is with them"
 The Senator from Tuscaloosa stated that similar bills to this had been adopt ed recently in Tennessee, Texas and North Carolina, and in the first named State had effected e saving to the peo- pie of x250,00 since its adoption. He dis claimed any interest in the matter be- yond what an honest legislator should have.
 T can see how some teachers and the book trust can oppose the measure.'' said Senator Johnston, but I cannot under stand how any member of this House who has the welfare of his constituents at heart can do so. If we fall now. when we go home those whom we represent will have occasion to say: We asked you for bread. and you gave us stone.
 WI A6VS tthe great DOOk LFuSL n6To now to fight, and I appeal to the patriotism of the members of this Senate to sup port this bill. The old adage of the Ro- mans is pertinent to this occasion: Fear the Greeks who come bearing gifts.'
 Opposed by Goidsby.
 Senator Goldsby was the principal speaker for the opposition. He declared that he had direct personal interest in the matter under consideration. He had children to be educated. and for that reason the cost of books was an import ant one to him. He held that there should be some form of uniformity in the text books but preferred county to State uni formtty.
 He referred to the offer made by the southern Book Publishing Company on condition that State. uniformity should be adopted instead of county uni. formity, and asked why this company demanded this measure of protection, why 1t gould not enter the open market and meet competition.
 He maintained that the teachers and the supetifftendents weTs the ones who should select the books to he used by pupils, and held that with county uni. iormity a better grade of books general. ly could be secured
 HOW senators Stood. Senator Arlington moved to table tn. amendmenrs offered by Senator John. ston and Senator Thomas moved to tabl. the Arlington motion.
 The ayes and nays were demanded ana ehe Senate refused to table the amend ments by vote of IS to 15, on the Thoma. motion. regarded as a test vote. This was the vote:
 Ayes-MeSgra Roxfiok RuMocL n,nn Frazer, Harrison, Hogue, Hurst, John | ston, Jones, Lancaster, Norwood, Powell Rogers. Screws, Spragins, Stone, Thomas Woolf.-l8 ' Nays-Messers Acree. Arlington, Black mon, Castieberry, Craig, Goldsby, Hall Hlpp, Kennedy, Long. Lynne, Norman Oliver. Smith and Spencer.-l5
 The next half hour was devoted to tn, offering. tabiing and adopting of amend I ments. Senator Johnston winning i, every case, the bill not suffering at all. It was now long past the usual hou l of adjournment. and on motion of Senate Jones recess was taken until 3:s | o'clock.
 Johnston's amendments were after som debate adopted. as was also one by sena tor Smith. striking out Of the bill the pro vision leaving 1t to the discretion O towns in certain cases to avail them selves or not as they pleased of the pro l visions of the law as to uniformity O text books. This left the bill stronze | in terms than before. number of other amendments by Sena tors Dunn, Bostick and others, wer | adopted, and the bili was put upon 1t
 passage. The vote was M to in favo | of the measure. r,~
 The Senate at 5:2O o'clock adtourne
 until 1O:30 o'clock today.