The Commissioner of Common Schools.

SCHOOL-BOOK LAWS.

The first law relating to the use of text books in the schools of Ohio was passed April 22, 1885. It required boards of education to adopt text books and prohibited any change in the same within five years, except by a three-fourths vote. A provision was also made authorizing boards to provide free text books.

On the 28th day of April, 1890, an amendment to this law was passed providing for a school book board, composed of the Governor, State Commissioner of Common Schools, Supervisor of Public Printing, and two persons to be appointed by the Governor. This board was authorized to pass upon all books used in the schools and to fix a price upon the same not to exceed eighty percent of the publisher's wholesale list price, and in case no satisfactory books could be secured the board was authorized to eceive bids from publishers and authors for furnishing text books, and report the result of the same to the next session of the General Assembly for action thereon.

On May 4, 1891, the last-mentioned law was repealed, and a new law enacted changing the membership of the "State School Book Board" to the Governor and Secretary of State with the State Commissioner of Common Schools as secretary. The principal provisions of the former law were retained, with further provisions in regard to publication of text books by the state and a reduction in the maximum price to seventy-five percent of the wholesale list price. The law now in force was passed April 22, 1896, making the State Commissioner of Common Schools a member of the State School Book Commission together with the Governor and Secretary of State. The main provisions of the former law were retained, the method of enforcing the law and carrying the same into effect being simplified.

Under this law the schools of Ohio are provided with good text books at a reasonable price and boards of education have the power of providing free text books if they so desire.

M

R. J. C. MORRIS, Commissioner of Railroads and Telegraphs, was born in Youngstown, Ohio, August 18, 1856, and was educated in the public schools of that city. But while yet a boy he secured employment in a local grocery store and continued in that employment until his nineteenth year, when he began railroading. His first employment was as a brakeman. Then he became baggagemaster. From this he was promoted to the position of conductor of a freight train. After a number of years' service in this capacity he became general yardmaster, remaining in that position until he secured a passenger train, which he continued to run as its conductor until he was appointed Chief Inspector in the office of the State Commissioner of Railroads and Telegraphs, faithfully performing the duties of this appointment until the 16th day of March, 1901, at which time he was appointed Commissioner of Railroads and Telegraphs.

During all this long period of railway service-26 years in allhe was in the employ of the Erie Railway Company, a fact that speaks well for the character of the service he rendered.

He is a married man, having been married to Miss Emma Morris of youngstown, Ohio, on April 28, 1878. They have four children, all boys. Mr. Morris is a Mason, a K. of P., and a member of the Order of Railway Conductors

The Commissioner of Railroads and Telegraphs.

THE DEPARTMENT OF RAILROADS AND TELEGRAPHS.

The Department of the Commissioner of Railroads and Telegraphs was created by an act of the Fifty-seventh General Assembly passed April 5, 1867, which required the appointment of the officer within fifteen days after the passage of the act, and prescribed his duties. He has a general police authority over roads operating in Ohio; and is required to give careful attention to the construction, operation and maintenance of the roads and their equipment so far as these matters relate to the safety and general welfare of the public. The following extract from the report of the Commissioner for the year 1901, just ended, is a tribute to the friendly readiness of the railroad companies to safeguard the public, as well as an indication of the watchfulness of the department:

The safety of the public at grade highway crossings with steam roads. has required particular attention during the past year. Numerous complaints were filed, all of which were promptly investigated and such action taken as, in the opinion of the Commissioner, was warranted by the surrounding conditions.

From a personal inspection, I am pleased to be able to report that the railroads of Ohio, with but a few exceptions, have reached the highest standard of excellence with respect to the physical condition of their roadbeds.

The rolling stock of many of the railroads has been greatly improved by the addition of large installments of engines and cars of the latest patterns.

The work of interlocking grade crossings of railroads has been progressing rapidly. The railroad companies see the importance of protecting the crossings of their tracks, at grade, with the tracks of other railroads, not only for the purpose of enabling them to run their trains over such crossings without stopping, but also for the protection of life and property. A total of 184 applications for the approval of plans and specifications of interlocking plants have been filed in this Department. There are now 154 interlockers in operation in Ohio. During the past calendar year 9 new interlockers have been constructed and placed in service.

The improved condition of the roadbed, the equipment of engines and cars with automatic couplers and air brakes, and the installation of interlocking devices has had the desired effect of reducing accidents to a minimum.

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OSEPH ELLIS BLACKBURN was born in a log cabin in the village of Farmington, Colerain township, Belmont county, Ohio, June 30, 1860. He attended the common schools at Martin's Ferry and Bellaire until he was nearly twelve years of age, when he went to work at common labor in the Belmont Glass Works. He rose step by step until he became foreman of the factory. He was one of the principal organizers of the most successful mold makers' union in the United States and was either President or Secretary thereof as long as he worked at the trade.

In 1887 Mr. Blackburn embarked in the drug business, and, after taking a course in pharmacy at the Ohio Medical University at Ada, had the degree of Ph. G. conferred upon him. He never held public office until elected a member of the Seventy-second General Assembly in 1895. He is a Republican and was nominated by the State Convention of his party for the office of State Dairy and Food Commissioner March 11, 1896, and elected by a plurality of 52,519 votes.

Mr. Blackburn assumed his official duties February 16, 1897. He was elected to a second term in 1898, and to a third term in 1900 by an increased majority.