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Editorial
November 13, 1899
The Age Herald
Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama
What is this article about?
Georgia's legislature, following Tennessee, advances a bill for uniform textbooks in public schools via a commission that selects books, secures bids, and requires publisher bonds. The editorial supports the measure but criticizes exceptions for locally taxed systems, arguing for equity and cost savings across rural and urban areas.
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Uniform Text Books.
Following the example of Tennessee, the legislature of Georgia is considering, and will probably pass, a uniform text book law. The senate by an unanimous vote has already passed a bill providing for the adoption by the state of a uniform system of text books in the state's public schools.
Under this bill a commission would be appointed, composed of the members of the state board of education and five other citizens, who shall serve without compensation for a period of five years.
The duties of the commission consist in selecting the books best suited to the use of the public schools of the state, and in securing competitive bids for the furnishing of such books. The right to reject any or all bids is reserved, in order that any effort at combination on the part of publishers may be defeated. All contracts made with publishers are to remain in force five years. The counties are forbidden to enter into contracts with publishers. The bill provides for a bond of $50,000, to be approved by the governor of the state, and such a bond is to be required from each and every publisher who contracts to furnish the state with school books. The bonds are to be guarantees of the faithful carrying out of contracts.
The bill provides that the books selected by the commission shall be used in all the public schools of the state, the only exceptions being "local systems supported by local taxation." It is indeed questionable whether such exceptions should be made. The school in the country is entitled to as good text books as the city school has. There is no reason why there should be any difference whatever.
The city scholar would in that way lose the advantage of the low prices that the state commission would surely obtain, and removals of children to the city from the country or vice versa would involve the purchase of two sets of books. The exceptions are wholly unwise and wholly unnecessary.
Following the example of Tennessee, the legislature of Georgia is considering, and will probably pass, a uniform text book law. The senate by an unanimous vote has already passed a bill providing for the adoption by the state of a uniform system of text books in the state's public schools.
Under this bill a commission would be appointed, composed of the members of the state board of education and five other citizens, who shall serve without compensation for a period of five years.
The duties of the commission consist in selecting the books best suited to the use of the public schools of the state, and in securing competitive bids for the furnishing of such books. The right to reject any or all bids is reserved, in order that any effort at combination on the part of publishers may be defeated. All contracts made with publishers are to remain in force five years. The counties are forbidden to enter into contracts with publishers. The bill provides for a bond of $50,000, to be approved by the governor of the state, and such a bond is to be required from each and every publisher who contracts to furnish the state with school books. The bonds are to be guarantees of the faithful carrying out of contracts.
The bill provides that the books selected by the commission shall be used in all the public schools of the state, the only exceptions being "local systems supported by local taxation." It is indeed questionable whether such exceptions should be made. The school in the country is entitled to as good text books as the city school has. There is no reason why there should be any difference whatever.
The city scholar would in that way lose the advantage of the low prices that the state commission would surely obtain, and removals of children to the city from the country or vice versa would involve the purchase of two sets of books. The exceptions are wholly unwise and wholly unnecessary.
What sub-type of article is it?
Education
What keywords are associated?
Uniform Textbooks
Public Schools
Georgia Education
Textbook Commission
Competitive Bids
School Book Bonds
Local Taxation Exceptions
What entities or persons were involved?
Georgia Legislature
Tennessee
State Board Of Education
Publishers
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Adoption Of Uniform Textbooks In Georgia Public Schools
Stance / Tone
Supportive Of Uniform System Without Exceptions For Local Systems
Key Figures
Georgia Legislature
Tennessee
State Board Of Education
Publishers
Key Arguments
Commission Of State Board Members And Citizens To Select Books And Secure Competitive Bids For Five Years
Right To Reject Bids To Prevent Publisher Combinations
Counties Forbidden From Separate Contracts With Publishers
$50,000 Bond Required From Publishers As Guarantee
Books Mandatory In All Public Schools Except Local Systems Supported By Local Taxation
Exceptions Unwise As Rural Schools Deserve Same Textbooks As City Schools
Uniform System Ensures Low Prices And Avoids Need For Multiple Book Sets When Families Move