county, a sufficient quantity of books to supply the demand. He shall also arrange for the exchange of books at such places, allowing pupils or boards of education not less than fifty per cent of the retail price of new books for the old books of like kind and grade displaced. The exchange privilege shall extend through one entire school year, and the dealer making the exchange shall be allowed by the contractors ten per cent of the cash proceeds of same. Any teacher permitting in his school the use of any unauthorized book shall be deprived of his salary during the period of such violation of this act. Nothing in this act is to be construed as preventing the use of supplementary readers; provided, they do not displace the adopted readers, nor the use of more advanced books in such schools as may be ready for the same. Boards of education in cities and independent districts containing thirty-five hundred population or more, may reserve the right to select their own text-books; but should they elect to use any of the books adopted by the state school book commission they shall purchase them upon the same terms as hereinbefore provided, and shall not change them out during the period such books are under contract.

"SEC. 8. Should any contractor furnish the same books contracted for in this state, at lower prices to any other state, city or county in the United States than contract prices in this state, like conditions prevailing, the same reduction shall immediately be made in this state, and the state school book commission is directed to require compliance with this provision on penalty of cancellation of contract with such contractor.

"SEC. 9. It shall be the duty of any contractor to prepare printed lists, showing the exact titles of his books, the prices at which same are to be sold by the dealers, and the prices of same when corresponding old books are given in exchange, and send to each county superintendent a sufficient number to supply every teacher in the county. It shall be the duty of each county superintendent to see that the teachers of his county display such printed list for the inspection of the pupils.

"SEC. 10. Complaint in writing to any board of education of any district, by any citizen, or by any contractor to the effect that a teacher of such district is permitting the use of unauthorized books in his school, shall be deemed sufficient cause for investigation by said board of education, and if such complaint is found to be true, the board shall inflict the penalty provided in section seven of this act. Members of boards of education who fail or refuse to perform the duties required of them in this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof before any justice of the peace, shall be fined not less than twenty-five dollars, nor more than fifty dollars.

"SEC. 11. It shall be a part of the terms and conditions of any contract made in pursuance of this act that the state of West Virginia shall not be liable, in any manner, in any sum whatsoever; but all said contractors shall receive their pay solely from the several dealers in each of the counties of the state provided in section seven of this act. Such contract shall also provide that any pupil, parent or teacher may order books direct from the contractors and receive them prepaid at the prices fixed by the state school book commission for their sale by dealers in the several counties. Provided, however, that the pay for same shall accompany the order.

"SEC. 12. The sum of one thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, for the year one thousand nine hundred and twelve, and each fifth year thereafter is hereby appropriated for the purpose of defraying the expense of the state school book commission, as hereinbefore provided. The bills for such expenses shall be approved by said commission and presented in the usual way for payment out of the state treasury.

"SEC. 13. Any member of the state book commission who shall receive, solicit or accept any gift, present or thing of value to influence him in his vote for the adoption of books, or any person who shall either directly or indirectly give or offer to give any such gift, present, or thing of value to any member of said state school book commission to influence him in voting for the adoption of books shall be guilty of a felony, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by confinement in the penitentiary of this state not less than one year nor more than three years.

"SEC. 14. All acts or parts of acts inconsistent with this act are hereby repealed; but nothing in this act contained shall be construed as repealing sections thirty-five and thirty-six of chapter twenty-seven of the acts of the legislature of West Virginia of the extra session of one thousand nine hundred and eight.

Chap. 23, Feb. 26, 1909.

L. SUBJECT-MATTER OF INSTRUCTION.

While the general control of the subject-matter of instruction in public schools falls within the legitimate sphere of legislative action, experience in numberless ways has demonstrated the doubtful wisdom of detailed definition. A general recognition of this results in but stray and odd bits of legislation concerned with the regulation of courses of study. Consequently, this section contains items covering a wide range. The resolution of the Nebraska legislature (767), probably in this particular instance merely formal, is fundamentally expressive of deep and widespread popular feeling of the responsibility of state higher education for the conservation and elevation of the political ideal. The North Dakota (768) provision concerning physical education will be considered in connection with the measures dealing with medical inspection and physical examination.

Alabama (769) strove to reach a commendable end; however, through means of doubtful educational value. Michigan (772), Montana (773), North Dakota (774), and Porto Rico (775) took a definite stand as to the utilization of the common school for the protection and conservation of human life. The Illinois (777) humane and moral education act will probably exert little positive influence in the direction intended.

The three measures relating to the teaching of agriculture falling within subgroup (i)-Technical, Manual and Industrial Educationwill be rated of importance along with those classified under the Elementary and Industrial and Technical Education (see enactments No. 866 to 893).

The Minnesota law (783) is entitled to special mention.

February 12 received a general recognition for special observance within the public schools as a fitting mark to the centenary of the birth of Lincoln.

(a) General.

764 California: Amending sec. 1662, Political Code, 1906, relative to courses of study and conditions of admission to elementary schools.

Courses of study of day elementary schools to embrace eight years of instruction. Including in average daily attendance of day elementary schools, attendance of deaf children above 6 years of age.

Courses of study of evening elementary schools to embrace eight years of instruction. Defining age of admission to evening elementary schools. Chap. 593, Apr. 14, 1909.

765 West Virginia: Amending sec. 215, chap. 27, Acts, 1908 (sp. sess.), relative to the course of study in the Bluefield colored institute.

Chap. 91, Feb. 23, 1909.

(b) History, Civics, and Patriotism.

766 Maine: Amending chap. 88, Laws, 1907, encouraging the compiling and teaching of local history and local geography in the public schools.

Chap. 138, Mar. 24, 1909.

767 *Nebraska: Requesting the regents of the university to establish a school of citizenship.

"Whereas the study of those subjects which tend to develop an appreciation of the duties and responsibilities of citizenship is of great importance to the people of this commonwealth, therefore,

Be it Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Nebraska;

"SEC. 1. That the Legislature of the State of Nebraska hereby expresses its approval of the action of the Regents of the University of Nebraska during the past few years in liberally supporting the department of Political Science and allied departments, and further requests that the said Board of Regents still further emphasize the work of these departments by the establishment of a School of Citizenship whenever the Board of Regents deem the same advisable." Jt. Res., Chap. 200, Apr. 2, 1909.

(c) Physical Education.

768 *North Dakota: Amending sec. 889, Revised Codes, 1905, relating to physical education.

Prescribing employment of special supervisors in school districts having a population of over 500. Providing for instruction in physical education in summer schools and normal schools.

Chap. 102, Mar. 12, 1909.

(d) Physiology; Hygiene; Alcohol; Narcotics.

769 * Alabama: Relative to educating the children of the State on the evils of intemperance.

Providing for the preparation, publication, and distribution to the public schools of the State of placards by the state superintendent of education, "placards printed in large type upon which shall be set forth in attractive style statistics, epigrams and mottoes showing the evils of intemperance especially from the use of intoxicating liquors." Establishing "Temperance Day" in the public schools.

Act 40, p. 27, Aug. 19, 1909 (sp. sess.).

770 Connecticut: Appointing a board of directors to establish county homes for the care and treatment of persons suffering from tuberculosis.

Board to provide instruction in public schools and to provide literature for general distribution. (Sec. 13.)

Chap. 120, June 29, 1909.

771 Idaho: Providing for the teaching of physiology and hygiene, including special reference to the nature of alcoholic drinks, stimulants, and narcotics and their effects upon the human system, in the common schools of this State, in educational institutions receiving aid from, or support by the State, in teachers' institutes, teachers' training classes, and in state reformatories; providing penalty for violations.

S. B. No. 83, p. 316, Mar. 11, 1909.

772 Michigan: Amending sec. 4796, Compiled Laws, 1897, relative to teaching in the public schools the modes by which the dangerous communicable diseases are spread and the best methods for the restriction and prevention of such diseases. SEC. 1. "There shall be taught in every year in every public school in Michigan the principal modes by which each of the dangerous communicable diseases are spread and the best methods for the restriction and prevention of each such disease. Such instruction shall be given by the aid of text-books on physiology, supplemented by oral and blackboard instruction. From and after July first, nineteen hundred ten, no text-book on physiology shall be adopted for use in the public schools of this State, unless it shall give at least one-eighth of its space to the causes and prevention of dangerous communicable diseases. Textbooks used in giving the foregoing instruction shall, before being adopted for use in the public schools, have that portion given to the instruction in communicable diseases approved by the State Board of Health to the State Board of Education."

Act 141, May 26, 1909.

773 *Montana: Providing for teaching in the public schools the modes by which the dangerous communicable diseases are spread and the methods for the restriction and prevention of such diseases.

"SECTION 1. That there shall be taught in every year in every public school in Montana the principal modes by which each of the dangerous communicable diseases are spread, and the methods for the restriction and prevention of each such disease as small pox, diphtheria, scarlet fever, measles, tuberculosis, chicken pox and such other dieases as may be named, and attention called to same by the Board of Health of this state.

"SEC. 2. That said Board shall annually send to public school superintendents and teachers throughout the state printed data and statements which will enable them to comply with this act.

"SEC. 3. That school boards are hereby required to direct superintendents and teachers to give oral and black board instruction using the data and statements supplied by the State [Board] of Health.

"SEC. 4. That neglect or refusal on the part of any superintendent or teacher to comply with the provisions of this Act shall be considered a sufficient cause for dismissal from the school by the school board.

"SEC. 5. That the member of any school board who shall wilfully neglect or refuse to comply with any provision of this Act shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to punishment by fine not exceeding One Hundred Dollars.

"SEC. 6. That this Act shall apply to all public schools in this state including schools in cities or villages whether incorporated under special charter or under the general law."

Chap. 27, Feb. 25, 1909.

774 North Dakota: Amending sec. 883, Revised Codes, 1905, relative to branches to be taught in common schools.

Adding "simple lessons on the nature, treatment, and prevention of tuberculosis." Sec. 4, chap. 204, Mar. 15, 1909.

775 * Porto Rico: Amending act, p. 72, Laws, 1909, relating to the continuation of the work of suppression of tropical anemia in Porto Rico.

Providing for the preparation and distribution of bulletins in public schools, relating to tropical anemia and tuberculosis.

P. 78, Mar. 11, 1909.

(e) Moral and Ethical Education.

776 California: Amending sec. 1665, Political Code, 1906, as amended by chap. 52, Statutes, 1907, relative to the course of study in the public schools.

Adding physical culture and morals and manners to the list of required subjects.

Chap. 269, Mar. 18, 1909.

(f) Humane Treatment of Animals.

777 * Illinois: Providing for moral and humane education in the public schools and prohibiting certain practices inimical thereto.

"SEC. 1. * * * It shall be the duty of every teacher of a public school in this State to teach to the pupils thereof honesty, kindness, justice and moral courage for the purpose of lessening crime and raising the standard of good citizenship.

"SEC. 2. In every public school within this State not less than one-half hour of each week, during the whole of each term of school, shall be devoted to teaching the pupils thereof kindness and justice to and humane treatment and protection of birds and animals, and the important part they fulfill in the economy of nature. It shall be optional with each teacher whether it shall be a consecutive half-hour or a few minutes daily, or whether such teaching shall be through humane reading, daily incidents, stories, personal example or in connection with nature-study.

"SEC. 3. No experiment upon any living creature for the purpose of demonstration in any study shall be made in any public school of this State. No animal provided by, nor killed in the presence of any pupil of a public school, shall be used for dissection in such school, and in no case shall dogs or cats be killed for such purposes. Dissection of dead animals, or any parts thereof, shall be confined to the class room and shall not be practiced in the presence of any pupil not engaged in the study to be illustrated thereby.

SEC. 4. The Superintendent of Public Instruction of this State and the committee in charge of preparing the program for each annual meeting of the Illinois State Teachers' Association shall include therein moral and humane education. The superintendent of schools of each county and of each city shall include once each year moral and humane education in the program of the teachers' institute which is held under his or her supervision.

"SEC. 5. The principal or teacher of each public school shall state briefly in each of his or her monthly reports whether the provisions of this act have been complied with in the school under his or her control. No teacher who knowingly violates any provision of sections 1, 2 or 3 of this Act shall be entitled to receive more than 95 per cent of the public school moneys that would otherwise be due for services for the month in which such provision shall be violated. This Act shall apply to common schools only and shall not be construed as requiring religious or sectarian teaching."

H. B. No. 21, p. 415, June 14, 1909.

778 New Hampshire: Amending sec. 6, chap. 92, Public Statutes, as amended by chap. 40, Laws, 1895, and chap. 31, Laws, 1903, relative to instruction in the public schools.

Prescribing instruction as to humane treatment of animals.

(g) Music.

Chap. 49, Mar. 10, 1909.

779 Indiana: Requiring the state board of education to provide for the singing of the "Star-Spangled Banner" in the schools.

Chap. 149, Mar. 8, 1909.

780 *South Dakota: Requiring instruction of vocal music in the state normals and

public schools.

(h) Drawing.

Chap. 19, Feb. 13, 1909.