Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-02-13
THREE REPORTS
SENT TO SENATE
Educators Widely Differ as to
Reasons for Recent Book
Adoption.
MINORITY STANDS OUT FIRMLY
Unwilling to Saddle on Tax
payers Burden of Unneces-
sary Changes.

finally adopted It's answer to Senate
resolution No. 10. and tho answer Will
be presented to the Senate tomorrow
morning. provided the clerks and
gtenographers. already weary with n
strenuous week, are able to copy the
report and properly arrange II for
presentation.
There are two minority reports. one
by the main minority, consisting of
Governor Stuart, Attorney-General Pol
lard and State Superintendent Stearnes
end the other by DR.. Southall Wilson
who gave as his reason for q separate
report the fact that he has not been
on the board for any great length Of
time-in fact. was not member when
tho adoption was first considered. and
hence felt that he ought 70 explain
why he had voted az he did
HOARD SITS UNTIL
NEARLY NIDNIGHT
There were three sessions on yes
terday. ono beginning at noon. when
DIR. wilson stated that he and other
members OF the board who attended tho
called meeting on Friday morning were
much disappointed that some OF the
others were not present Iie referred
10 himself Mr.. West and Colonel Ford.
WHO mao expected the meeting.
The matter was amicably adjusted
when state Superintendent >Stcarncs
stated that he was compelled. or rather
felt himself compelled. to be absent
upon the call Of Governor Stuart. who
called him to his Office for n conference
a record Of the meeting. however. was
made. and the reasons for the post-
poncment were stated In tho report
The afternoon session began at
o'clock. and at this time Governor
stuart was present. After the various
differences were discussed the Gov
ernor announced that there was no
chance for the entire board to agree
but that II would be necessary for the
two factions OF the board TO make up
separate reports.
ASKS MAJORITY TO GO AHEAD.
LEAVING; MINORITY TO DISSENT
At o'clock Governor Stuart, At
torney-General Pollard and State Su-
pcrintendeEt Stearnes retired, and af-
ter conference announced that II
would DO necessary for the minority
10 submit Its report. The Attorney
General spoke for the minority, and
he asked that the majority go ahead,
formulate and pass its report, and that
then the minority would make UP its
answer.
The meeting adjourned until 3
o'clock. when the majority returned,
read and at once passed its report,
being the report OF the board
II differed In a number OF essential
details from the proposed com
promise" report OF the subcommittee,
as all matters conceded by the ma
5or!ty wcr" stricken out, and the flna!
NJ
ter from the standpoint OF the ma
jority. rather than from that OF the
board.
or considerable interest following
tho report OF the majority, was the
statement that they reserved the right
10 reply TO the minority in whatever
report that section OF the board might
bring IN.
Attorney-General Pollard read tho
report OF the minority. which was
couchcd in no uncertain terms as to
the reasons why tho three eX oRcio
members OF tho board brought in the
report which they did. He. in vo,cing
tho expression of his colleagues. gave
as the chief reason the saving OF
money to the taxpayers.
MINORITY STATEMENT
SAYS CHANGES UNwARRANTED
Tho statements OF Governor Stuart,
Attorney General Pollard and Superin-
tendent Stcarnes shows that their atti-
tude throughout the book adoption was
one OF distinct opposition to nll changes
in textbooks. except upon the most
urgent considerations OF economy and
merit. They claimed that an unneces-
sary change In textbooks was an un-
warranted tax on the people. just as
truly as II the General Assembly had
levied an unnecessary tax. They voted
for changes, however, whenever they
found substantial amounts could be
saved TO the patrons.
They recited the fact that they acted
as special committee on prices, and,
after maay months of effort. all of the
publishers declined to make reductions
except tho B. +. Johnson Publishing
Company, of this city. who agreed to
mako an average reduction OF approx
mately 10 per cent on all the books
furnished by them amounting to nearly
one half OF those then in uso In the
public schools. The main fight was
over the acceptance Of this proposition.
Tho Governor. tho Attorney General
and the state Superintendent insisted
that tho largo sum OF money, variously
estimated at from $4,000 to 500, 900,
ought to he saved to the patrons OF the
schools.
CONTROVERSY WAS OVER
JOHNSON ARITIIMErICS
The educators on tho board claimed
that tho Johnson arithmotics ought not
to be continued in use, but tho minor
ity called attention to tho fact that
those books have gtvon universal salts
faction In Virginia during the seven
years passed, and that, In response to
n lotter sent out by the board to the
1o1-odd division superintendents OF the
State asking their opinion concerning
tho arithmetic. only three replied that
the books were unsatisfactory.
Attorney General Pollard at the
meeting last night called attention to
the faot that the Johnson arithmetic