The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1883-08-11
Correspondence Baiiimors CoHniy Ua.on.
THE SCHOOL BOOK QUESTION
T.Nrn DIsTu,cr. Auvu,, an nee,

IENrH DISTRICT, August 9th, 1883.
Editors UHioa I'll cannot help writing 10 In.
form you that THE USIoS Of last week was The
most interesting copy Of your valuable paper that
have received for months. You have nv sincere
thanks, and no doubt the thanks Of all your read.
ers who send children 20 the public schools. for
publishing u list of the prices our economical
School Commissioners pay for the books and sta.
tionery used in the schools. Why, can 10 10
Baltimore city and buy some Of these articles
cheaper than Medairy 4 Co. let the Commissioner
have them. And you say the contractors them
selves offered 10 let Baltimore city have their
books ut per cent. less than they charge our
county. This reminds me Of the circular q the
School Board, which said: "If the Board would
avoid debt u will be necessary for all contested
with the schools TO the strictest economy ~ all
items Of expenditure" They. or . maJoSItyf ai
them nj least, do not practice what they preach.
Tho same majority (Messrs. Jeniier, Gore and
swim last year changed the Biographies at an
additional expense TO the tax payers Of the county
of $4,000. This year, Just as they did last year
and the year before. they let Medairy A Co. sup
ply the books and stationery TO the schools at
their own figures, and they are high figures too.
] see by the list you have been 90 successful in
getting and publishing that the geography IL a
much mere % pensive book thar the old one which
was much easier 10 learn frOn, As have found
out by experience with my ewn children. Cor
nell's Primary biography, 5? cents Mitchslrs,
30 cents cornelrs intermediate biography, 9s
cents Mitchelrs. SIPS; Corncll's Physical Geog-
Taphy, SI.O5; MitchelIs, SI.35. We Taxpayers
had 10 pay $4,000 extra b get Mitchel's Geogra
ply ia the schools last year and now have TO keep
on paying very high price for the luxury Of
keeping u Ia. think tho sooner II " got rid Of
AZ this high price. and the the School Com
missioners get the books and stationery for less
money than they are paying Medairy 4 Co. for
them, the better II will be for all the taxpayers
of the county.
You have an opinion that Mr.. Jehifer would not
let Medairy 4 Co. furnish the books aud stationery
at their own prices u he knew that these book
sellers offered 20 furnish them 20 somebody else at
gper cent. less. This 10 my opinion Of Mr.. Jsni-
Ter, too, and II Is shared by all who talked With
me Yesterday about the exorbitant prices Maid
Medairy co. for what they furnish ~. pitlis
schools. But they think. as I do, that there d .
shrewd boss near by who rules the school ranch,
aud high prices make no difference 10 him AZ long
n he carries his point. ] earnestly hope ur.
Jcniier will help Mr.. keech aud DR.. Macgil In
getting the books and stationery for our ptble
schools at the lowest price that they buy ticm
for. The Gre proof addition to be built 20 our
Court House was given out by contract to the bw-
est bidder at saving Of 81. 500 from the highest
bid. aud firmly believe that more than what you
say ISL .eOO) will be saved Co the public school
fund IL Mr.. Jeniier will let the books and station.
cry be supplied by contract. A. you say, there Il
ample time this month TO do II. s.