The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1912-07-17

pose Of adopting text books. records.
registers. and school apparatus Tor
the state o. Oklahoma for tie ensuing
five years after the present contract
has expired. Probably no question u
the educational field has caused 50
much dissatisfaction as the last ext
book adoption. Undoubtedly toe many
text books were adopted at that time
10 fact SO many that it was a physical
impossl0llity for a girl 10 the iu-eF-
mediate or grammar school grades 10
carry an Of the books which she was
required to study to and from school
during a fun school year without ser
iously endangering her health. II il
were a physically impossible Thing 10
carry the books. it was certainly
mental impossibility for one to attempt
to study all Of those at any one time
during a school course
Text book adoptions have always
caused more or less trouble especially
when the adoption covers a whole
state. Book agents. attorneys and
politicians viii resort TO every scheme
fair Or unfair. to secure adoptions. The
last text book adoption reminded one
Of political convention. Ward heel
ers. peanut politicians, honest book
agents and INSCRIPTIONS book agents
with hired attorneys resorted 10 every
means to secure for the big book com
panies a fat graft One would hardly
think that the interests Of the chill
dren Of the great state Of Oklahoma
were in the mind OF any one connect
ed with the text adoption on that mem.
orable occasion
However the chieftain prefers %
believe that some Of the members OF
the last state text book board were
conscientious and did all in their pow
er in the interests OF the Oklahoma
school children. That they we're mis-.
led, that the truth was covered up by
shrewd attorneys and politicians, We
also believe. That the commercial
side Of the question WIS largely in eyi
dence, we certainly know.
In the last state wide campaign Sup
,erintendent Wilson pledged the people
in his literature and in his public ad
dresses that, II elected, he would dc
all in his power to give them fewer
text books. This is one Of the argent
demands Of the people, not only in the
interests Of the children, but for thu
sake OF economy. Superintendent
Wilson believed then and be believes
now that the text book problem must
be solved in the interests Of a better
school system He believes il to be
impossible to develop an ideal school
system ia this state with the present
large number OF text books required
by law to be purchased by the pupils
and studied IN our common schools
lie has already given to the state one
OF the best, the most pedagogical
courses yet offered Anyone acquaint
ed with The problems Of teaching, Il
he will study the course OF study now
given to the teachers and children oi
Oklahoma by the state board Of edn
cation, viii be convinced that they
have taken a step in the right direc-
r ton The Chleftaln does not mean to
say that this course Of study is per
feet There are some weak points ia
It, which we shall point out later on
It Is State Superintendent Wilson
ambition TO improve this course OF
, study, and after the adoption Of text
books, it should be done at the earl
lest possible moment in order that the
teachers Of the state and those in au
thorlty in state educational affairs
may begin at once to formulate and
! to build and to develop a sane course
OF study, pedagogical IN every senss
OF the word, based upon a sane adop
ton OF text books. Untll the texl
y books are adopted Il will be quite i'm
possible to develop the course of stud
that meets the problems OF progres
/, siye age and a progressive state Th'
Chieftain is pleased to note, in ia,
rulee Of the state board OF education
one rule which reads as follows
"All bids shall be opened BY tn,
secretary IN the presence Of the boar,
Z and shall become a part Of the rec
D ords Of the meeting. Each bid mus
= be accompanied with sworn state
J ment Of the publishers or bidders thal
2 the price at which each book. chart
map globe Or other apparatus Is OF
fered is as low as the same book
chart map or globe or other appara
5 tus was ever offered in any othsi
atot- ~ n A. -.