The Text Book Question

The superintendent of public instruction has sent out to tbe varions sobool distriots of tb8 state the following direotions : "It phall be the duty of the school boards of the several districts that have not previonsly adopted free text books, to subinit the question of the adoprion to the electors of tbe distriot at any annnal school meeting or special or general election doring the years 1897 and 1898, nuder the conditions and provi8ions of Aot No. 14? of session laws of 1889." In case tbe adoption of free text books shonld not oarry, then the district will have to take another vote npon the nniform text book bil 1, nnless it is desired that Ann Arbor oonae ander the provisions of that bill. The sitnation, tben, is this: Before tbe olose of the year 1898 the taxpayers of Ann Arbor will be called npon to express their opinión of tbe merits of the free text book bill. If the choioe is fcr free texts, that ends the wbole matter; if against, a vote will nave to be taken upon the merits of the nniform text book bill. A full and free disonssion of the free text book bill is now in order. As over 1,000 districts, rural, village and city, are now supplying free text books to pupils, it will be an asy matter to obtaiu faots oonoerning tbe workings of the systein. Souie Michigan cities have bad several years , experience and can speak with 1 anoe conoerning the merits and demerits of the plan.