Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-11-01
THE TEXTBOOK ACTS.
Il Sensible Conclusion Relative to the Policy
TO-M0rrOtc.
minneapolis Journal.

been, and under its present management, il
would have opposed it, for the bill smacks of
monopoly, and therefore treads on dangerous
ground. The bill vas passed in February.
1877, and authorized contract with ID. ID.
Merrill, of st. Paul, to furnish all the school
text books used by the schools of the State
subject to the provisions of the law, which
includes all except those of the independent
| school districts like Minneapolis and other
cities. The avowed objeot of the law was to
| establish uniformity in the books used in the
schools of the State and the
precaution was taken to guard
| against extortionate prices on the part
of the contractor by liking the prices of the
books at fifty per cent. of the rates then in
vogue. These prices, even now, as shown by
| the table printed elsewhere effeut material
prices charged for the same books in other
States. The quality and merits of the books
| seem to be all that could be desired. The sb-
| lection to the law at the time of its passage
WAS the wrong principle of vesting monopoly
| of the school book trade of the State In tie
| hands of one man, and the injustice of sud-
denly throwing out of use the books then in
| the possession of the families of the State and
forcing them to purchase new at any price.
But the law has now been in force for three
years. and the Merrill books have been intro
duced into all the schools subject to its pre-
visions; s0 that the second objection to the
passage of the law named above is now an OBJ
lection to it's repeal Anyone who has had
any experience in teaching country schools will
agree with us that the establishment Of uni
formity of text books is worth some aacrifoe
of the freedom of choice. The diversity of text
books in the possession of the pupils is one
of the greatest annoyance OF the teacher and
most serious obstacle to efficient classification
and instruction; while the frequent
demand upon parents to change
books is the fruitful source of growing and
dissatisfaction with the schools. The Merrill
law Eow in operation seems to have worked
well In practice, although Objectionable in the
DRY, and to have furnished the families of the
State with a uniform set of books of genuine
merit, and at low price, which may be handed
| down from the older to the younger children,
| and prove serviceable in removals from one
district 20 another. Under the old heterogene-
GUS system tho removal OF "a family from one
county to another, or from part of O county tc
another part, was almost sure to involve the ex-
pense of purchasing new school books.
For these reasons we apprehend that the vot-
ers of the State, in the opportunity that will
| be presented them for voting upon the ques-
| tiOn lext Tuesday, will decide to try the law
| for another i've years. at the end OF that
| time another opportunity will be given to vote
| upon the law, and TO adopt new methods and
| new books If desired. We notice that there
4
of the law on the part Of small minority OF
the teachers and county superintendents; but
an examination of these seems to show that
| they proceed from the inefficient execution OF
the law rather than from any radical practica
defects in it. If by this election the law il
made fixity for five years it. is reasonable tt
suppose that its execution will become more
efficient and that its workings will be in every
way smoother.
The question of the compulsory use of Ger
| tain school books. is akin to that Of compul
sorry education. It is broad question, will
| which the people of this State and all thu
States will be compelled to grapple sooner O
later The friends of the text book law claim
that the only way to secure uniformity O.
text books throughout the State is by com
pulslon; that it must be practiced in one wa,
or another; and thatthere is realIy-less com
pulsion under the Merrill law than under tn
old system, wherein two out Of three distric
officers could decide what text books must b
| used in the district As one master is bette
than many, SO, it is claimed, uniform schoo
book prescription by the State is better thai
| a multifagiOus one by the district officers a
the solicitation of teachers and book agents.
G,2NGRAL GARFIEID,S CREDIT MO
h. BLLIER RECORD. Fsr7
tul5 IN Sworn Testimony before the Polan
Committee, January IA, 1873. -
ncver owned, received or agreed to receivt
any stock Of the Credit Nobiler or Of the Uniol
Pacific railroad, nor any dividends or profit
arising from either of them.
Judge Poland's Report, Feb. 10, 1S75-Gar
fields Testimony Perjured.
The facts in regard to Mr.. Garfield as found
by the committee, are that he agreed with Mr.
Ames to take ten shares of Credit Mobile
stock, but did not pay for the same. Mr.
Ames received the eighty per cent. dividend
in bonds and sold them for ninety-seven pc
cent, and also received the sixty per cent. casl
dividend, which, together with the price of tn,
stock and snterest, left balance of $3. q
This sum vas paid ever to Mr.. Garfield by
check On the Sargeant-at-Arms and Mr.. Gar
field then understood this sum acas the 5alaacs
Of dividends after paying for the stoeh.
New York Times Feb. 10, 1871
Messrs. Kelley and Gar&e!a present mos
distressing figure. Thoir participation in.the
Credit Mobilier affsir is complicated by tn,
most unfortunate contradiction Of testimony
New York Times Feb. 20, 1884,
The character of the Credit Iiobilier was no
secret. The course of its profits was very vel
known at the time Cons, essu1an bought it
Though Cakes Ames may have succeeded IL
concealing his own motive. which was to bride
Congressman, their acceptance of the STOCK
was not on that account innocent. The dis
honor of the act, as psrtici patton in an OBJ.
| Vlous fraud, still remains,
Some of them have INDUCED in testimony
| with reference to the matter which has beer
contradicted. The committee distinctzu reject,
the testimony Of several Of the members. Thi,
can only be done ON the ground that it is untrue.
But untrue testimony giuea aatscr oath is moral
ty, # not legally, perjury,
1t is the clear duty of Congress to visit with
punishment all who took Credit Mobilier stool
from Cakes Ames.
New York Tribune, Feb. 10, 1881
James A. Garfield of Ohio had ten shares
never paid dollar received 1929, which, afte,
the investigation began, he was anxious to have
considered as loan from Mr. Cakes Ames Il
himself.
Well, the wickedness CT all Of It Is that these
men betrayed the trust of the people, deceived
their constituents, and by evaaions and false
hoods confessed the transactions to be disgrace
full.
New York Tribune, Feb. &c, 1881
MIR. Ames establishes very clearly the point
that he was not alone in this offense. Ifheish
be expelled for bribery, the men aUho avere bribed
should go NTH him.
cincinnati Commercial, Jnne7, 1880.
The most contemplate thing thus far al
Chicago is the chatter about Garfield. He ha,
not record to run for President.
Greenbackers
can get their election tickets on application tc
secretary of the club this evening from to !
o'clock. at No. 81 Bridge Square, McClung's
| block.
Annex.
4
| Readers of the "Globe"
| After election do You want to go somewhere
| Remember the Minneapolis & St. Louis train
leaving st. Paul at $40 p M, brings you in tc
| New York, Baltimore, Philadelphia Boston
| and all other Eastern cities, nine hours in ad.
vance of all other evening trains out of st.
Paul. This is the only line with enterprise
enough to shorten their time, so as to save you
one nights travel between St. Paul and East.
ern cities, by connecting in Chicago with the
| $3.50 fast express. Call on
GEo. 81. HAZARD, Agent.