DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. A. O. NICHOLS, Territorial Superintendent. Guthrie, Oklahoma, 1897. To County Superintendents, Secretaries of Boards of Education, and Clerks of School Districts. Greeting: In conformity with Section 2 of the Law passed by the last session of the Territorial Legislative Assembly providing for the uniformity of text books in the Territory of Oklahoma, I hereby send you the following for your instruction and government. For the text book law in full reference is made to Article XX. of this pamphlet. In compliance with Section 1 of the above mentioned act, I have ascertained the text books in most general use in the Territory. Information received from the several counties indicates that at least ninetynine per cent of the text books now in use in Oklahoma are included in thelist given below. Reports concerning something more than fifteen hundred of the eighteen hundred (approximately) school districts of the Territory are now on file in this office. Two districts report none of the books herein named in use, about twenty are using them partially, while about fifteen hundred districts are using them to the exclusion of all other books. If the same proportion for the three hundred districts of which no information is yet at hand is maintained, the textbooks named below will be found to be in general and almost exclusive use in all but about twenty-five or thirty of the school districts of the Territory, In pursuance of this information and the law I have entered into a contract in the name of the Territory of Oklahoma for the said books, as provided for in Section 1 of said act, and in conformity with Section 2 of said act I send this report. The following is the list of books now in most general use and for which a contract has been made with the AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY, NEW YORK, Cincinnati and Chicago, the publishers of the same, together with the prices to be paid for the same at the office of the company in Chicago. I. (Net Contract Prices.) These are the prices at which the within named books will be sold in wholesale quantities directly to any school board for cash or to any other party or parties for cash or on approved credit; all orders to be filled from the Chicago office of the American Book Company, transportation charges to be paid by the purchaser. II. (List Prices.) These are the prices at which single copies will be sent by mail, post-paid, or in quantities by express or freight, transportation prepaid, to any address upon receipt of the said prices, or at which the said books may be purchased from the retail dealers of the Territory. III. (Exchange Prices.) These are the prices at which the American Book Company agree to furnish their books upon application to them at their office in Chicago at any time prior to January 1, 1898, whenever old books of other series and of like grade and subject in actual class use are surrendered by the pupil at the time the corresponding new book is purchased. For particulars apply to the American Book Company, Chicago, Illinois. GENERAL SUGGESTIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS. By Section III of the above mentioned Act it will be clear that the intent of the law is to secure uniformity of text books for use in the schools of Oklahoma Territory to the end that(as expressed by the law) "the loss incident to a diversity of text books"might be avoided. In order to carry out the intent of the law certain requirements are made of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, who by these requirements is made an executive officer to put the other provisions of the law in force. The duties imposed upon this office are: 1. To ascertain within sixty (60) days what text-books in the various branches taught in the public schools are in most general use in said schools. 2. To contract with the publishers of said books for a period of five (5) years for a supply of said books on terms and conditions named in said act. 3. After contracting for said books to make a full statement of the transaction including a complete list of the books contracted for, giving the price of each as agreed upon, etc. In fulfilling the requirements of this law, I have ascertained the books in most general use in the schools of the territory, and have contracted for the same as shown above. The books now in most general use in our schools are first class text-books, known to our teachers, and if made uniform in the schools of the Territory we may expect continued improvement in their work. It depends upon you to see that the provisions of this Law are fully complied with and that the list of text-books and prices now contracted for be strictly adhered to. It is also recommended that the course of study prepared by the Territorial Board of Education be closely followed. In order to carry out the intent of the law you should secure conformity to this list of books as soon as possible, and for this purpose I have secured from the publishers favorable terms of exchange for old books of other series of like kind and grade to extend to January 1, 1898. You are therefore urged to take prompt action to carry out the provisions of this act so that its benefits may fully accrue to the schools of the Territory. I desire to call your attention to the fact that the American Book Company agrees that the books herein named shall be sold by retailers within the Territory on the terms and at the prices named. All citizens having knowledge that a greater price than the "List" price herein specified is being charged are respectfully requested to report the name and address of the dealer making such overcharge with full particulars to the Territorial Superintendent. In conclusion permit me to say that a hearty co-operation in carrying out the provisions of this law and the contract made pursuant thereto will insure to our schools all its intended good purpose. If uniformity is to be secured and text-books furnished our people at a reasonable cost it becomes your duty to act diligently and promptly to secure these ends. Yours very truly, A. O. NICHOLS, Territorial Superintendent of Public Instruction. |