The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-03-08
TEXT BOOK
LEGISLATION
IN OKLAHOMA
Substitute Bill VIII Come Up
in House Monday.
GRIMES DOESN'T LIKE II
Mathews Resolution Favorably
Reported to House.
GRIMES DOESN'T LIKE 1T

Guthrie, o. T, March 7.-Cummins sub
stitute bill 22S, relating to text books.
will come up in the council on special
order Of business Monday. The bill has
already passed the house and 1t is now
I'D TO the thirteen members Of the coun-
eli to say what it's fate shall be in that
body. The bill is an optional free text
hook measure. There has been much
hard work done to pass it and represen-
tatiyes of various book concerns have
been in Guthrie closely watching the
situation.
''Vm. Grimes, national committeeman,
who advocated early the adoption OF a
free text book plank in the Enid plat
form Of the Republican party sees some
Objectionable features in the Cummins
bill Today Mr.. Grimes said: 1.-The op-
tioual feature of the Cummins bill is
hardly an objection to the bill. I would
be glad If we could have had free text
book law as declared for by the Enid
convention. It may be better to try the
optional plan rather than have free text
books for the territory right away. One
Questionable feature is, If l am rightly
Informed, that sixteen out Of the eighteen
schools whose superintendents are TO as
sist in the selecting of the banks have
contracts for series Of books with the
American Book Company. Some of these
contracts were made Immediately after
the former contract expired with the
territory. In justice to all of the per-
sons selected to vote on the text books,
IT would be better il a meeting could be
oil
selecting text books could be talked over.
These men would be better satisfied and
the people would believe that their in
terests were properly cared for. Every
proposition could be discussed in con-
vention and matters not rushed into
blindly This contract means an expendi-
ture Of a large sum Of money and every
phase. should be well considered.
''The larger cities usually take advan-
tage Of the optional clause. An cleo
tion is held and the cities take up the
free text book plan. Under the provi-
sions Of the Cummins bill, by free text
books or otherwise these districts are
bound by a six-year contract to use the
books selected. 1t seems TO me that of
the taxpayers of a certain district decide
that they want free text boks, they should
have the privilege of selecting the books
they desire. since they pay for them.
In the higher institutions of learning,
in the cities it is often advisable to
change text books, especially when some
thing new or better comes out. Uni
formity is asked for. but if the books
sre furnished the children what differ
ence does it make if they do change dis
tricts. They are at no expense and It
is sometimes advisable to change books
for the benefit of the school child.
Il am anxious to see text book legisla-
ton, but We want the best possible law.
If the Cummins bill can cover the fea-
lures make il a law, but in my opinion.
st does not meet all the requirements.
Mathews bill for a constitution and
the formation of a state organization for
ported in the house today by the ways
and means committee headed by Mr..
Mathews. 1t win be taken up next week
and has already created considerable
discussion. The provisions of the bill
were given in the Eagle of today and
make It optional whether the Indian ma
tons come in with Oklahoma.
Mathews is confident that he can pass
his measure in the house. He believes
that it win help secure an enabling act
for Oklahoma.