SCHOOL LAWS.

THE TEXT-BOOK LAW.

SCIENTIFIC TEMPERANCE INSTRUCTION.

STATE BOARD OF EXAMINERS.

ENUMERATION OF CHILDREN.

AGE OF ATTENDANCE.

THE TEXT-BOOK LAW.

In accordance with section 9, chapter 24, laws of 1888, the electors of thirty counties in the state voted to adopt a uniform series of text-books for use in the public schools.

A carefully compiled synopsis of the contract price paid for each grade of book, as reported by the county superintendents, accompanies this report.

The county superintendents generally report the law as working

satisfactorily.

The following are a few extracts from remarks accompanying the

reports:

Some publishing houses are furnishing us books at less than the former contract price. They give us one year in which to com

plete the introduction.

The operation of the new law gives general satisfaction.

There was much opposition to the new law, but it has almost

entirely died out.

The price of books has cheapened, and the people are well satis

fied.

In addition, quite a number of counties have practical uniformity through township adoption. In most of the other counties there are townships and independent districts having contracts for five

years.

Over one hundred cities and towns have also a five years' contract for a supply of books.

It is reasonable to estimate that at least seventy per cent of the state has taken advantage of the law, to obtain books at the con tract price. The average reduction in the price of the books to the pupils is from thirty to fifty per cent.

The law has not been in operation long enough to judge fully of

its merits or its deficiencies. It will be remembered that county uniformity could not go into actual effect until after March, 1891. So far, it has resulted in a material reduction in the price of books. The law, however, to be less burdensome to those charged with its execution, should be amended in a few particulars.

The president of the board should not be required, as in section 1, to give a bond of $500. It is a useless and vexatious restriction, and hinders the efficiency of the law. The directors should have power, however, to engage some one to handle the books, to require from him a suitable bond, and to pay him a reasonable compensation for his trouble.

The requirement in section 5 having reference to advertising in two or more papers, is in many cases, a waste of public money. It should be limited to districts of over 4,000 population, and to the adoption of books for an entire county.

Cities and towns excluded under section 12, from the operation of county uniformity, should have the power granted them to call a special election any time after the annual election in March, and prior to the 1st day of August, for the purpose of voting upon the question of using the same books adopted by the county board of education.

There should also be some definite provision made for paying the dealers who handle the books in cities or towns a reasonable compensation.

With these amendments the efficiency of the law would be greatly increased, without lessening in any degree the precautions necessary for its safe and economical administration.

We are glad to note a tendency on the part of some houses to reduce the price of school books, and to give the districts already holding contracts the advantage of the reduction.

We do not propose in this report to traverse again the field of argument in favor of optional free text-books. If the doctrine of local option is good anywhere, it is good here. The rule of the majority is always safe. The school district is the purest form of a republic in our government.

If the people at a regular election, or at one called for that purpose, say by their ballots that text-books and supplies shall be furnished to the pupils in their schools at the public expense, that ought to be conclusive in the matter.