New Uniform Text-book Law

School Couiiuissioiiei' Wm. F. Lister, upon being asked abont tlie nevv Jaw passed by the last legislaiure, relalive to text books in our schools, explaiued it as follows : The Graliain-Forsythe Uniform Text Book Law, provides for a cominissiun consisting of the state board of edueatiou and tln-ee school cominissioners appoiuted by tJie goveruor. Tliis commission will conslitule i board wlio.se duty it . sliall be to make ;t selection or to procure the compilatioD of a series of text books for use ia the common or primary schools of the state. These books are to be uniforwaly used in all the priuiary schools of the state, vvith the followihg exceptious : 1. Districts tliat are now furnishing free text books to all pupila for use in the school or schools of the district. 2. District tliat may, at the animal school meetings or at any special or general election in the years 1897 or 1898, by a majority of the qualified electora of said district, determine to furnish free text books for use in the schools of the district. 3. Auy district which at any animal, special or general election m 1897 or 1898, shall determine, by a majority vote of the qualitied electors of said district voting ou the subject not to act there muler. The act also makes it mandatory on school board in districts wliich have not as vet adopted free text books, to siibmit the question of the adoption of free text books to the electors of the district at an annual school meeting or special or general election duiing the years 1897 or 3898. "Now" said the conimissio&er, 'iet me emphasize these facts." 1. The eoniniission does not sit until after January 1,1899 and the uniform series of text books will not be selected uutil after that date. 2. All districts in this state furnishing free text books to all pupils are exempt from the provisions of this law. 3. All districts that may determine at the animal school meeting or at any general or special election in the years 1897 and 1898 to furnish free text books to all pupila, will be exeinpt. AU district-s not included in classes two and tliree will not be under the provisions of the law, unless by a ïnajority vote of the qualified electors of such districts, detennined.