The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-07-16
LOTS Of TROUBLE
OVER SCHOOL BOOKS
Have Been Many Changes
in the Method of Adopt
ing Them.
nv Associated Pressl

CHARL ESTON, w. va, July 1O'
The recent adoption of school te&t
hooks for West Virginia for a five-year
neriod, which has caused considerable
Criticism of the present school book
commission and let to the reconVen-
inc of the commission last week by
the state board of public works, Is not
the first trouble that has followed
school book adoption in the state,
The problem of choosing books for
the children of the state in fact, mas
been one with plenty of dtfncultles
ever since the state was formed &C.
cording to information which L. j..
Hanifan, Of the department of schools
has taken the trouble to dig from the
legislative enactments and the state
superintendent reports OF the last
l- Beginning with 1868, when, with no
adoptions provided for, the county SUI
perintendent was authorized to recon-
mend text books to be used In the
schools, he traces the changes which
have been made in methods OF seIec-
tions down to 1909, when the present
plan of state school book commits
sion to choose the books for a period
of five years was provided for by en-
actment of the legislature.
The legislature, in 1866, provided
that the state superintendent could, at
his option, prescribe the text books
to be used; but two years later 1t di-
rected him to prescribe the text books.
In 1868, however, the legislature took
upon itself the responsibility OF pre-
scribing the books, though 1t did not
fix the prices to be paid.
Eleven years later in 1879, the legis-
lature, acting on the same subject,
still retained the privilege Of adopting
the texts to be used but directed the
state superintendent to enter into con-
tract with publishers for these books
at prices not to exceed the prices paid
in any other state. The law provided,
also, for stringent regulation OF the
purchase and use of text books. II
any publishers refuse to contract for
adopted books upon the terms speci-
fed, then the state superintendent was
directed to contract for other books,
using his judgment in the matter. The
contracts made at that time were for
five years.
The legislature, however, in 1881
again adopted text books and fixed
penalties upon teachers and school Of
ticers for neglect to use the adopted
books. In 1885 it was provided that
the district boards of education could,
at their option, act as local deposition
les for school books, the books to be
handled through their secretaries, and
all funds collected to be paid the sher-
if, who in turn paid the publishers.
But two years later the old subject
bobbed up again and the legislature
appointed a joint committee, three
members from each house, ito investi-
gate the matter of letting contracts
for the supply of school books by the
former state superintendent Of schools,
and to ascertain and report whether
or not the prices paid for such books
are excessive and exorbitant."
Then, in 1890, the legislature at its
extra session, provided that the state
superintendent shall contract with
publishers for the adopted text books,
with as great a reduction of price as
he may be able to secure" the con.
tract to be for one year. In 1891 the
legislature directed the state super
intendent to contract with publishers
for period OF five years from July II
1891.
The first time the legislature ever
fixed the prices for the books was at
the session of 1895. 1t also provided
that If publishers refused contracts at
prices fixed, the governor should ap.
point state school book commission,
whose duty 1t should be to solicit pro.
posals from any publishers for the
furnishing Of books necessary to com.
plete the list, Such board of three
members was appointed the following
September but It failed to adopt texts
for reading, spelling, arithmetic and
grammar. There is no record as to
what texts were used in these sub.
period.
In 1897 the legislature abandoned
the adoption Of text books itself and
created in each county a school book
board, consisting Of the county super.