The Van Buren press., 1876-08-22
The School Printing.

The Little Rock Gazette and Van Buren
Argus are trying to make some capital out of
the fact that the Board of Education of the
Arkansas Normal and High School had some
circulars printed in st. Louis.
The facts arc simply these; the Board is
hard-prcssed for means. as well as time, the
school being advertised to open lst Monda, | 4
September next. They accordingly ordered
their secretary to have the circulars printed
where he could get the best work for the least
money, and in the shortest time. He address
sed several printing establishments inviting
bids for the work. Among others was the
Gazette. 1t responded. and its bid was large
| ly above that of either of the offices heard
| from. and the work was awarded to the low
est bidder, THE Southwestern Book and
Publishing Co. of St. Louis" The Gazette
probably thought it was only bidding against
the Van Buren offices. BY making bid it
entered the lists with competing offices, and
it was nnderbid and ought not to complain.
The manuscript was first shown to Mr.. Dun
ham. of the Van Buren Press. who has an ex-
cclle@t job press, suitable for book work and
one of the best job offices in Western Arkan-
sas. He frankly stated that he could do the
printing in good style. but could not do the
work in the time wanted, nor could he do 1t
for the amount of money it could be done for
in St. Louis. and there were no facilities here.
whatever, for binding 1t was thought use
less to go to the Argus Office. for their little
job-press, 7x9 inches, could not do the work,
and to work it on the hand-press. 1t could not
be done in time.
Our usually clever young friend of the Ar
gus. one OF the publishers, has been kind EN-
ough to explain how lie could make as good Il
Joo us the St. Louis house; be would set up
the type in his office. print II on Dunham's
iob-press. and send it to Little Rock to be
bound. Rather round about way for peo-
pie in hurry. And the price, Of course, he
says we should pay him more than St. Louis
Offices. oa2 young friend talks about free
advertising. If he has not already learned
the lesson. he cannot learn it too soon. that
good schools are essential to the prosperity
of a community. There are many families of
means and culture who will settle in COM
munity where there are good schools. in Or
der to educate their children. who thus add
not only to the material wealth Of the place,
but also to the intelligence and culture of So
ciety. ALI the free advertising the Argus
can give to the school, Is that much advert-
sing for its own benefit.
The school is a public institution. and not
a private enterprise. The Board of Educa
tors give their time and services without re-
muneration, and they are laboring for his
benefit, and he is the obliged, and not the
school. Our young friend, no doubt. penned
his notice under feeling OF little wound
ed pride, and think, on a little reflection,
will give the circular and the school a hand |
some notice in his next issue as it deserves.
Tha Gaz tie has apparently one lesson to
lrar, at, and that is. that to compete in price
i As essential as facilities to do work, in or
der TO insure success oEcRErARf.
1t is generally acknowledged by all, that
our good friend, T. II. Hoylc, Is one OF the
best farmers in the county, and thas "heh he
sets out to produce crop, he hardy SVer
fails. This season, ith most all farmers, has !
been a poor Que !or watermelons, but our
friend Iloyle walked into our Office. Wednes-
day, with melon that would weigh at least
forty pounds. and it was rich and sweet We
should have been tempted, If Il boat had been
at the landing, to have sent it down to Gov
Garland, Us the production Of one of the best
in the county, and Garland one,
at that Many thanks, 7. II, may you pros
per and your sha..o never grow less.
.9s- Col. Dan O'Suliyan has stepped down