I  only  know  that  the  whole  matter  is  in  your  hands  and  should  be  dis-
posed of  with  some  consideration  for  the  Reading  Circle  itself,  and  that
is  all.  The  most  I  can  now  do  is  to  answer  any  questions  which  you  may
feel  disposed  to  ask.  The  matter  has  been  arranged,  so  far,  the  best  that
we  could  ari'ange  it;  the  work  has  been  submitted  to  the  teachers  and
pretty  generally  endoi-sed.  Some  counties  have  not  done  much  with  it,
because  they  are  doing  in  other  lines;  but  many  counties  are  doing
earnest,  active,  and  profitable  work.
Question — Who  are  the  members  of  this  board?

Answer — Commissioners  Smith  and  Randall,  Mr.  Haskins,  and  myself.
47


310  DEPARTMENT  OF  PUBLIC  INSTRUCTION.
Ques. — Suppose  a  vacancy  should  occur  in  the  board,  how  would  it  be
filled?

Ans. — There  is  no  law  about  the  matter.  When  Mr.  Culver  was  a  mem-
ber of  the  board  he  went  off  in  July,  and  when  we  met  next  time  we  saw
fit  to  appoint  Mr.  Randall.  At  the  meeting  of  the  Association  next  year
the  Reading  Circle  work  was  discussed,  but  no  action  was  taken.
CoMMR.  Cooke,  Wayne  Co.:

I  would  like  to  ask  if  the  members  of  this  board  were  elected  for  life,
oi*  during  good  behavior?
Ans. — I  do  not  know.
CoMMK.  Cooke:

I  think  perhaps  I  may  properly  make  a  suggestion  here.  I  think  there
should  be  a  board  ap^minted  and  an  arrangement  made  whereby  a  certain
part  of  the  board  is  elected  one  year  and  a  part  the  next.
