The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-02-10
THE SENATE SCHOOL BOOK RING

In our issue of the 4th inst appeared al
article under the above caption, which con
tanned serious allegations concerning Senator
w. w. Wharton. Of the Kellogg Legislature
in regard to the recent proposed change o
school books in the public schools. Tn,
gravamen of the charge was that in his ca
pacty as Senator Wharton had last winter
intimidated member of the School Board
into voting for the books of Barnes Il Co., he
being an agent for said house at the time
Our information was derived from Mr.. w. P
Rogers, agent for Harper 4 Brothers. who
was confident Of his ability to prove the
charges made.
Since the publication of the article, Senate,
Wharton called at this Office and alleged that
the article did him great injustice; that his
connection with the house of Barnes K Co.,
as agent, had ceased nearly two years ago;
that he had no pecuniary interest in the
schoo! book matter, and that he had not used
his position as Senator to inhuen any one to
vote for the change of readers.
An investigation into the matter has resulted
in the subjoined correspondence, which fully
explains itself and satisfies us that Mr. Wbar.
ton is innocent Of the charges made against
him in the article alluded to.
Senator Wharton would never have been
suspected of any improper action were it not
for his connection with the Kellogg Legisla-
tu'e, body from which it requires much
charity and faith to believe anything good
can come. 1t is gratifying to know, however
that in most, and, 50 far as we know, all of the
special and vicious legislation perpetrated by
the Radicals, Mr. Wharton has taken the op-
position and voted "no p
New ORLEANS, Feb. 8, 1875.
Editor New Orleans Bulletin
Having given the BULLETIN the information
upon which was based the article published
in your issue of the 4th inst, entitled .sThe
Senate School Book Ring which article con-
tanned very severe comments and structures
upon Senator W. W. Wharton, desire to say
that my statements to you were based upon
conversation which had previously had
with Mr. J. B. Gaudet. member of the City
School Board. Mr.. Gaudet denies having
stated that Senator Wharton ever attempted
to influence or intimidate him, in his capacity |
as Senator, to vote for the eaders Of Barnes |
Il Co., for which house Senator Wharton was |
once an agent. l conclude l must have mis- '
apprehended the purport Of Mr. Gaudets |
remarks and have no hesitsncy whatever in
saying SO.
regret the misunderstanding, as I had no
desire to injure gentleman against whom l
have no luminosity or unkind feeling.
W. P. RoGEEs.
New ORLEANS Feb. Q, 1875.
Editor OF the New Orleans Bulletin
Dear Sr-Having been informed that your
article published in the BULLETIN of the 4th
inst, entitled "The Senate School Book
Ring, wherein it is charged that Senator W.
w. Wharton, last winter, intimidated men,
Der of the School Board by threatening to
vote against his confirmation in the Senate if
the said member did not vote in the School
Board for the adoption of certain readers for
which he, Senator Wharton, was an agent
was based on information by you received
from Mr.. W. P. Rogers, agent for Harper
Brothers books, who stated that was the
member of the School Board referred to,
desire to state that have never informed
Mr.. Rogers, or any body else that Senator
Wharton, ever attempted by his power as
Senator to influence me or any body else in
reference to the adoption of any school books
whatever by the School Board; and desire s
further to state that Senator Wharton has
never endeavored to so influence me or any
body else, to my knowledge.
l will state that l was confirmed before !
ever know Senator Wharton.
j. GAUDET.