Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-10-21

the meeting of the State School Board
IN Atlanta on Saturday next, because
OF the fact that it is to consider then
the making of new contracts for
schoolbooks for use after the expira-
ton of the present contracts on Jam
uary l.
Governor Slaton. who is, as Cow
efnor, the head of the board, opposes
any changes in the present status OF
affairs, and offered a resolution to
that effect, which merely renewed
temporarily the present contracts.
when the board met last. In this he
was backed, too, by M. l.. Britain.
the State School Commissioner.
Their idea was that inasmuch as
there now is a Legislative investiga-
ton Of the entire book situation on,
TO report next summer, It would be
unwise to do anything in the mean
time that might interfere with that
investigation or forestall, or even
seem to fores&ll. its conclusions.
Ii the board should adopt new books
now. and then the Legislature, after
Its investigating committees report,
should decide on another change later
along, it might force the people OF
three separate sets of schoolbooks
within less than two years.
The Governor and Mr.. Britain were
moved in the matter more by desire
to save the people of Georgia ex-
traordinary and unnecessary expense
than anything else, and as they are
more, directly responsible to the peo-
pie than any other members of the
board, and have more at stake than
all the rest Of the board put together
1t was somewhat surprising that their
wishes did not prevail, However. the
board Ordinarily, anyway decided
otherwise, and it now remains to be
seen what will happen Saturday.
In the meantime the Capitol
swarms with book agents, represent
ing every publishing house on the face
of the earth-end then some!
Naturally, if there is to be a melon
cutting, everybody with a knife, no
matter how small, wants a slice. 1t
will be interesting to see who gets
slices.
The impression is that eventually
the idea of the Governor and the
Commissioner will triumph and the
book matter will be left in statu QUO
for the present-however if that does
not come to pass, it may be interest
ing to dig around and find out why.
Herbert Clay, Solicitor General OF
the Blue Ridge circuit is in Atlanta
to-day.
Mr.. Clay has been mentioned fire.
quently for Congress in the Seventh
District, and sooner or later he may
have a try for that office. His father,
the late Senator Steve" Clay, was
one Of the most popular and able men
that ever represented Georgia in Con-
gress, and there are many people in
the South who would vote for the son
on the fathers account, if for no
other reason.
However if Herbert Clay ever runs
for Congress he can afford to run on
his own personality and record. He
is courageous, aggressive and fully
equal to the position. He ran last year
one of the most remarkable races for
Solicitor ever put through in Georgia,
being elected by an overwhelming
majority over his opponent, notwith-
standing the very aggressive fight
made against him.
Members of the House of Repre-
sentatives in Georgia will be panied
to learn of the death of Lucy, the 49,
year-old daughter of Representative
]. o. Adams, which occurred in
Gainesville on Saturday night.
She died after an operation for ap-
pendicitis, while seemingly getting
along very well, indeed. and destined
to quick recovery.
Although Senator Hoke Smiths
visit home just now is accepted gen
orally, as stated, to be without par
ticulsr political significance, il is a
fact that many of his friends and ad~
mirers have seized upon his presence