The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-10-31

ing in these two sessions of the asso-
citation were many members of
boards of education of our state and
the bill bore ON it's title page, "BY
REQUEST OF THE. SOUTH. DA-
KOTA EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIA-
.TION." Do you, Dowdell, charge
the educators of our state, the men
and women, who are engaged in the
solemn and important work of train-
ing our youth for the battle of life,
and the directors Of u boards Of ed
ucation, do you charge these men aid
women with being in league with the
book trust?
No ratification by Solem of my
support of hat bill was necessary for
| supported the bill to the best of
my ability; did so because believed
in 5 provision and have eve at
tentp'ed to deny my support of The
same, and now, Dowdell, | shall pro-
pound some questions to you con-
corning this bill.
Do you know that representatives
of the school book publishers whom
you term 'the book trust" fought
this bill and did succeed in defeating
it in the senate after it's passage In
the house. If as you say ii was an
infamous book trust bill, why were
these people interested in its defeat?
Also, do you know hal this bill
embodies the provisions of the school
book laws of North Dakota, Mime
sofa and Michigan, conceded by able
educators to have the best book laws
in the union. Further, do you know
that these states named were at the
time i'm question, buying their school
books for Is to 20 per cent less than
our state was then paying, and why?
A little research on your part Will
convince you that it was because OF
the superior textbook law in those
states: the very law | sought TO place
upon our statutes. If this is an in
famous law, why did not your friends
the Non-Partisan league leaders, who
are in charge of the North Dakota
Legislature, make some effort to re-
peal it, and adopt your views?
For fear that you and your certi-
flying agent, Solem, are not acquaint-
ed with the North Dakota laws, | cite
you to Sections 1878 of the North
Dakota political code and if you will
read these, you will note the deadly
parallel between that law n House
Bill 81. That law has been on the
statute books of North Dakota for
many years and no cry for its repeal
has been made, and by the way, do
you know that the Russell Sage Foun-
/, dation society, of New York, gives
the school system of North Dakota
high rank, achieved under the law
} you for political purposes have seen
fit to term IAN infamous book trust
[ law?
IL space would permit, l should
t also like to ask you some questions
= of the matter of state uniformity, but
J sufficient to say it is an old obsolete
system long since discarded by most
states. Educators no longer weigh
- the question of cost against that OF
p efficiency in our schools, and ii has
l been aptly said, "a textbook is a tool
: in the hand of the pupil to be used
l under the direction of the teacher fol
r educational purposes. 1t must be
used in accordance with a definite
! plan of study, usually expressed as
Il COURSE VI SLuhSB ~ Wy NhN
: school authorities. A uniform series
: of texts implies uniformity in teach
| ing power; uniformity in graduation
. and uniformity in the length oil
school terms and the courses Of
study" Such uniformity does MOI
exist.
In conclusion | regret very much
9 that, owing to the orders OF thu
Icouncil of defense and health boards
: it is impossible to accept your chal
u lenge, so timely issued by you, anC
discuss this question at greater
> length, but as that is impossible
= hereby extend to you and friend, So
{ lem, a kindly invitation to call at IN!
= office and | will furnish you with in
} formation. data and literature per
u tanning to that most importan
branch OF our state government, on
!, public school system, the education
and preparation of the youth of on
state, for life's work. A careful
reading of these, / believe, will evel
u convince you, Dowdell, with all you
= aptness for quick and devious ways
, that you should not attempt to pla,
; ball with our educational system 70
the purpose of gaining votes in a pc
: litical campaign.
Respectfully yours.
> &C. A. Christopherson
=
ADVERTISEMENT