66 PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. [ART.

commissioners as they may require them; but nothing in this
section shall be taken to prohibit the several boards of city and
county school commissioners, or parents of pupils from pur-
chasing text books of the uniform series selected by the State
Board of Education from other parties, or in procuring them in
any other manner.

16. He shall decide, subject to appeal, to the State Board of
Education, and without cost to the parties, all controversies or
disputes that may arise under this law, the facts of which con-
troversies or disputes shall be made known to him by written
statements by the parties thereto, verified by oath or affirmation
if required, and accompanied by certified copies of all documents
necessary to a full understanding of the question in dispute;
provided, that nothing contained in this section shall be con-
strued as preventing any questions that may arise. under this
law, from being subject to the jurisdiction of and being tried in
the courts of law of this State; and, provided further, that nothing
herein contained shall be construed so as to give him juris-
diction in matters relating to money, property or vested rights;
the superintendent shall file and arrange in the order of time,
and keep in his office all proceedings on every appeal to or from
him, including his and their decisions, and orders founded
thereon.

17. It shall be the duty of the State Superintendent to collect
in his office such school books, apparatus, maps and charts, as
can be obtained without expense to the State, and also to pur-
chase at an expense not to exceed one hundred dollars a year,
rare and valuable works on education to be used as books of
reference for the benefit of teachers; he may also subscribe to
such school journals and journals of education as he may con-
sider valuable, file the same for reference, and have them bound
at the end of the year at an annual cost of not exceeding fifty
dollars, and the said sums are hereby annually appropriated, to
be paid by the Treasurer, upon warrant of the Comptroller.

18. The State Superintendent shall be principal ex officio of
the State Normal School.