Iowa
Old Press
Inwood Herald
Inwood, Lyon County, Iowa
March 12, 1891
Concerning County Uniformity
The Superintendent’s Circular to School Officers, Rock
Rapids, Iowa Feb. 27, “91
To boards of directions of Lyon County:
... the school days of the state were amended last year to
provide a way by which county uniformity of school books could be
established, and contracts made with publishers so as to greatly
reduce cost, but as a majority of the sub-directors failed to
sign the petition asking for such uniformity of text books in
this county, the question of county uniformity cannot be
submitted to the electors of the county as provided section 9 of
the amendment to the school laws of last year. Nevertheless, at
your regular meeting on the third Monday in March you can if you
deem it expedient, take such action as will secure the benefits
of this law. Owing to the variety of text books used in our
country schools, but little uniformity of classification can be
had, and much valuable time of both teachers and pupils is
wasted. It is evident therefore, that if every school in the
county were using the same books, great economy of both time and
money would be secured. In another way, also, would uniformity be
desirable. The publishers propose liberal terms. They offer to
make special contracts to supply books under the new law, a heavy
discount from wholesale prices, and a great saving can be made in
that respect. No immediate or sweeping change of books would be
necessary. The following books having been most largely used in
the past have been selected for use in the future: Swinton’s
Geographics, Barne’s History; Smith’s and Steel’s
Physiologies; Metcalf and Bright’s Language
Lessons; Reed & Kellogg’ s Grammar Swinton’s
Speller; Swinton’s Readers, and Robinson’s
Arithmetic. This series has been selected because of the
excellence of the books, and also for the reason that being
already largely in use but few changes will be necessary. The
publishers have agreed to take old books in exchange for new
ones, book for book, and allow half price, no matter what the
condition of the old book may be. Thus if the price of the new
book be 50 cts., 25 cts., will be allowed for the old book in
exchange.
The publishers will enter into a contract under bond with each
township or independent district that so desires, to never raise
the prices, and that any further reduction that may be made
anywhere in the U.S. shall at the same time be made here. I will
see that blank forms for contracts are placed before your Board
for consideration at the regular March meeting, and if you decide
to enter into a contract with the publishing house for supplying
your books, you will sign and return one copy of the contract to
this office, filing one in your records. It will not be necessary
that the board shall handle the books, as the publishers will
supply them to such dealers as the Board may designate, the local
dealers in turn to sell them to the pupils at a reasonable
advance. The Board to use as public funds, and be responsible for
no bills. There can be no doubt in my opinion that the carrying
out of this plan would result in a great saving to the county,
besides enabling teachers and pupils to accomplish better results
in the school room. Nearly every county in the state is taking
steps toward securing uniformity and contract. Your action in
this matter is earnestly solicited. The school officers of the
county are the only persons through whom the question of the text
books can be regulated. If you desire cheaper books; If you
believe we ought to have uniformity of books you can affect it by
pursuing the course suggested, which is entirely within the law,
and, will I think prove satisfactory to all concerned.
Ivan McQueen, County Superintendent
---
Inwood Herald
Inwood, Lyon County, Iowa
March 19, 1891
Close-Garver
At the residence of the bride's parents, Inwood, Iowa, by Rev.
Fracker, Sunday, March 15, 1891, T. I. Close and Miss Eugenie
Garver. The balmy air of our pleasant March, was made to vibrate
by the chiming notes of "wedding bells," when Rev.
Fracker stepped into the residence of Mr. and Mrs. D.C. Garver,
last Sunday morning, about half past eight o'clock. None but the
members of the family knew that the ceremony was to take place so
soon, but when the reverend gentleman stepped upon the threshold,
vague suspicious flew to our minds eye, and we guessed the
sequel. Tom and Eugenie were among the first of our young people
and have been active members in society circles here, and though
the knot has been tied, we are happy to state what they will
remain with us. As they now, full of hope and promise,
"launch out together in life, we would wish them nothing but
a calm and silvery sea, wafted by balmy zephers into paths of
prosperity and peace. But, sometimes adverse winds will blow, and
there are rocks and reefs to shun, as well as paths where profit
is shorn of all but promise. However this may be with them, they
have the heartfelt wish, of the HERALD, for long lives with much
happiness.
[all above submitted by R.Z., Nov. 2003]