The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-06-25
MAJOR ANDERSON
TO- DEMOCRATS.
Continued From First Page.)


found, however that by reason OF the
mode Of adoption by counties and cities
which had SO long prevailed the great
number Of books already In use in the
schools throughout the State (and with
which teachers and pupils We're familiar)
were so different in the several counties
and cities that the adoption Of a straight
single list for the whole State would
snecessita radical and undesirable
changes in school books in every county
and city. Al
b 1t was estimated by experienced and
thoughtful men, familiar with all the;
facts, that, to put in operatlonga straight.
single list throughout the State, would.
impose a cost upon the people OF the
Commonwealth Of from $1,000 to $250,00O,
and, what would be more Injurious, would
necessarily give to the schools of every
county and city. almost without ex-
ception, books with which the teachers
and pupils were not familiar. and which
were not suited to the wants and condt-5
tons Of the respective localities.
The simple question, them, was pre-
4sented, whether the board would tako the,
whole State, or each school division,
as the unit OF selection. In other words,
whether there should, at that time and
under the conditions then existing, be
a straight single list adoption for the
entire State. or a straight single list
adoption for each separate county and
city. Every experienced educator upon.
the board advocated the latter plan. and
seven out Of the eight members OF the
board voted for 1t as the cheapest and
the best under the circumstances. Conse-
Squently, there was o. selection by the
board of single list for each county
and cityin the State.
81 In order to enable them to make this
selection intelllgenily and wisely, the
board adopted for the whole State what
has been inaccurately5 called multi
pie" list, but which was, in fact, nm
eligible or standard n list, comprising from
two to four books upon each subject
taught in the public schools, and en-
braclng what the educators upon the
board ascertained to be the best books
obtainable in tho United States unon
these subjects, but including In every In
stance all Of the satisfactory books al
ready In use In our schools, This list
was submitted to advisory committees.
consisting Of experienced trustees and
teachers In the several counties and cities,
with the request that they would recon-
mend the books hest suited to the teach
ers, the schools and tho conditions In
the respective localities, After tho re-
ports Of these committees camo In, they
were carefully considered by the board.
and 1t then made Its final and only Sc
lection of books to DO used In the pri-
mary and graded schools In the various
counties and cities, giving a preference
III almost every instance to tho recon-
mendatlons made by such local commit
tees, hut in number Of instances chang
ing their Recommendations and substl-
tuttng other books considered by the
board more desirable,
Invited Competition.
Before making any selection whatever.
either OF the standard or of the final
list, tho board. by wide advertisement.
invited strong competition. and large
number Of ldds were submitted by me
book concerns of the country to furnish
books at prices which We're generally
much lower than had eyer before been
paid lii the State for such books. and
which the educators upon the beard adj
yised were Just and reasonable prices. ana
which did not seem to any merahsr to be
unreasonable or excessive
IT was known ia members Of the board
that lower prices could be had irom some
Of these concerns IL there was a straight
single list adoption for the whole statoi