The Nevins Bill

   For the last 22 years, every session of legislature has witnessed fight over a uniform text book bill. This legislature has just repealed one that the people repudiated at the polls. A new bill has simultaneously made its appearance with the supposed attractive annex that all school books used under its provisions shall be published in Michigan. This is the same scheme that was successfully worked in Indiana several years ago and which resulted in forcing into the schools of that state a very inferior lot of books. When the Indiana Book Co. was formed it had not a single book. It purchased the plates of various old obsolete books which had no sale in the open market and palmed them off on the good people through the medium of a low price. Some of these back number books, notably the old Niles geography, is still the text book the schools of that state. If any living person can give a single good reason why all school books used in our state should be manufactured here, he should be given the opportunity. It would be quite as reasonable to require that all the newspapers and magazines and other miscellaneous books purchased by our people should be published in Michigan. There is nothing in such a policy but narrowness and mediocracy. Books a little cheaper as to price would no doubt be obtained but they would be vastly inferior in quality if we can judge from the experience of other states that have tried the scheme. Our schools need the best books that can be obtained. This should be the chief claim for any series of books used. Having made sure that the quality is the best, then price should be considered. But this should be wholly secondary. Then again there should be do such thing in school work as machine-like uniformity. There is such a thing as individuality among persons and the same among communities. The children of this great state would be narrowed and dwarfed by passing them through the same mold regardless of condition. They need variety in text books as well as variety in instruction to insure the best development. Then there is a publishing house with a lot of old text books back of this bill. These books cannot be sold in open competition. The only hope for a market for them is to work them through a uniformity law. The Kevins bill has not a, single merit and the legislature vvill do well to see that it dies a bornin._________________________

   In the election of Judge Grant, Gov. Pingree finds pointers to enable him to figure out a personal victory for himself. Sometimes the politician is easily vindicated._______________________

   The talk of returning to the United States treasury the $3.000,0000 promised to Gen. Gomez to pay off the Cuban soldiers seems to have had an early effect on the Cuban assembly. Yesterday it voted to dissolve and placed the muster rolls, refusal to deliver which caused the trouble, jn the hands of an executive committee 'to turn over to General Brooke. This is another good point in the score of Uncle Sam

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    The new Ann Arbor Chicory Co. is anxious to close contracts with farmers who will undertake to grow chicory at once. According to the best information obtainable there is good money in its cultivation. Much of the land about the city is admirably adapted to it growth. Every condition seems favorable, therefore, for opening up a large, new and profitable industry here, if the farmers will only take hold of it.  To the Argus there seems to be very little risk in making the test. Farmers are not required to put out a large acreage. The Chicory Co. is ready to contract for any amount from a half acre up. The company agrees to pay  $6 a ton for the crop contracted for. Under such circumstances there appears to be absolutely no risk for the growers of chicory. Apparently no more favorable opportunity could be offered for testing a new crop and the determining its adaptability and profitableness without loss. Therefore it would seem to be to the interest of all concerned to close up contracts at once.

_________________________________        The election in Chicago yesterday in all probability projects a new figure into national politics. Carter H. Harrison carried the great city by a handsome majority not withstanding the effort of ex-Gov. Altgeld running on an independent ticket, to down him. His republican opponent is said to be a clean, able man and was expected to make a strong run, yet Harrison beats him by a large majority. Undoubtedly Harrison has ambitions.

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   The Argus desires to warn the republican brethren of the fussy efforts of a certain entity or non-entity, known as the Washtenaw Times, to break into the republican fold by prolonging the bad taste in the mouth resulting from defeat of certain candidate. Trust it not. It is fickle changeable and inconstant. Its love for republicanism is but a warmed over affection and on the basis of "for revenue only. " It is very accommodating in certain respects, always being on at least two sides of every question. It never does any good to any cause. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.

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   Gov, Pingree has now signed the law to reincorporate the city of Ann Arbor and revising the charter so as to make it possible where a majority of the property owners along certain prescribed districts, to be designated by ordinance, desire the sprinkling to be done by the city that they can be accommodated. This will force an obstinate neighbor who is not "troubled" by the dust to have the road in front of his watered the same as the property owner next to him who is thus bothered.- Evening Times.

     Isn't our esteemed contemporary getting a little swift ? Isn't he risking something in allowing his prophetic vision so wide a sweep ? Or is the above but a dream vagary that has accidentally found its way into his news column ? He may have a nose for news and be swift in getting it. He may be something of a prophet also, but he is certainly risking his reputation for inspiration in giving something as completed legislation that has not as yet even been introduced into the legislature. The present legislature is about as uncertain as a balky horse. It has spoiled the reputation of more than one prophet. It is as changeable as the chameleon. We would advise our contemporary to with draw the above statement for revision therefore.