The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-06-12
School Book Trust Much Agi-
tated Over Exposure.
TWO or THE AGENTS FLEE.
How Lieut.. Gov. Laughton's Name
Came ON the Briber's Cheek.


OLYMPIA. June 1.-THE attempted brib-
cry Of l. H. Leach. Of the board Of educa-
ton. was the reigning sensation here to-
day. The book men are frightened. and
the trust in the East has heard all about il !;
in fact, the wires were kept hot between its
agents and the concern before the deal was
contaminated by which the member was to
be bribed. Another startling rumor is
heard today, that the trust has made deal
with the book houses outside OF the trust
which secured the contracts, and that they
are TO come in as soon as the arrangements
are completed. Ii viii thus be seen that
the trust has won. bribery or no brihery.
Captain X. l.. Edwards. J. w. Womack
and L. e. Loveridge were the agents here
Of the American Book Company. Edwards
and Womack ere said to be tho men who
made the deal with Detectives Sullivan
ami Eames. Of Portland. for the trust.
They worked it skiilfu!ly. Sullivan had
known Lieuienant-Governor Laughton in
Nevada many years ago, and he asked
Laughton to identity the drawer Of the
check. Lsughton said he would 20 TO the
bank and do so. They said that was not
necs ssary. but to indorse the identification
on the back OF the check. He did il, and in
that condition the check was presented to
Leach. Loveridge. the other agent of the
American Book Company. was not in the
deal. Laughion feels keenly that he was
duped by Eames. and that his name was
unwistingiy used to help along the scheme.
Edwards and Womack have left the
state. II is rumored that war; ants were
issued for their arrest today. but this can
not be verified as the justice Of the peace
refuses 70 talk. The check is now in the
possession OF one of the state officers and
will be photographed and published.
The board met this morning in regular
session. The bonds and contracts of J. C.
Buckbee & Co., Heath Il Co., A. Lowell h
Co., TaintOr Bros. 4 Co. and Gum d Co.,
book dealers, were considered and awarded.
There were fifteen applications for life
diplomas for Washington on certificates.
and life diplomas from other states, bat
owing 70 the fact that the requirements Of
che Warrington school law exceeded those
OF other states none we're granted.
All Of the members of the board ere nsti-
cent relative to the scandal except O. A.
Tiffany, of Sprague. who published the fol-
lowing card in the Tribune:
Sir: In your issue Of JsIe 10. n a article
AoeSr0 1Auk bSltKky, YOU ot199 tu18 Sno us
closure made by Professor l. n. leach Of IN At
tempt to bribe him 10 move reconsideration
OF the adoption Of certatu text books, il reflec-
ton On at least two other BembeU Of the boafd
fstltO see why IL must inevitably 40 "a. II
does not necessarily follow that man has been
lighting because he has black eye. He may
simply have been chopping wooc, and q
crooked stick have flown up and struck him.
In justice TO others As we'll as TO myself, wish
TO say that our records will show that Profess
sors Ingraham and Noble voted against recon.
s.defaion. wish also to submit to your psfr-
ons the following afidavit:
Il do solemnly affirm that no agent of the
company sllndcd to in the aforementioned ar
sicie ever directly or indirectly offered to bribe
me In any way. shape or manner, TO vote for
any Of their publications. further afiirm that
no agent of said cmpany ever attempted to Al
feet my actions in the matter OF voting for their
books by any threats TO ipjure me or promises
OF isvors. or by any other improper means.
also ttfirm that no agent Of said company has
requested me to make this statement or knows
Of my making II: that voted solely on the
merits Of the books presented, except readers
on which yielded my first choice tHarpsr's)
TO q second choice fFranklinl for the sake OF
ursnimity; that was not governed In my ac-
ton In voting for reconsideration by other
than personal motives.'
The affidavit was duly sworn to before
a notary public.
The following Is also published in the
Tribune. Il explains itself:
PORTLAND. June Ill notice In the Msrafsc
OyssoaiaH q dispatch from your paper giving
wrong impression OF my action in the Leach
mstter. The facts are that we were employed
as detectives to shadow and test this man,
which was done. The giving of he check was
simply following cut the line of work The
check was WORT less and his accepting it com.
pieied our test aud proved him 10 be corrupfible
and weak. 1.-THE school board desires will go
before them and make further explanations as
regards Mr.. Leach. c. o. EAngs
Mr.. Tiffany is indignant. He says he
proposes to have the matter thoroughly
siited. and has written to the governor
asking him TO do so. Mr.. Tiffany said
Governor Ferry had been receiving tele-
grams from all parts OF the state. asking
him TO remove certain members of the
board. but the governor has not said so
and has not ordered an investigation. The
courts will doubtless attend to that.
The trust wants 10 hush the matter up.
because IL will hurt future book operations
in California, Oregon and other Pacific
states A. F. Gum. of the trust, is now
here trying 10 smooth matters over.
-
today for the arrest OF ]. w. Womatax
aud l.. /. Wards. of the American Book
Company. on charge of attempting to
hrihe a state official. but the men have
gone to British Columbia.
PORTLAND. June 1.-The Thiel detective
agency Of this city. of which c. O. Eames.
who gave Secretary Leach. OF the WASH
ineton state board OF education, a check for
500, IS assistant manager. has little to
say In answer 10 the charge of bribery.
Mr.. Eames furnished the following letter
for publication to-day:
PORTLAND June LII wish 70 say the press
DISPATCHES give . wsorg impression of sny ac-
ti0ns in the Leach mater TIE factx are that
We were eraplsyet some tine since By parties to
lock up teseh's record an. shs4owed him. our
client statsa thst Leach. after promls.ng
10 vote Scr certain books had gone
back on hss word. and that he believed that
Leach had been hcugaf. and he wished as a.
detectives 20 take the matter IN hand and ges ~
fhe facts We are Dow sattsied thai onr client
Vas not mistaken The giving Of the check was
ssmriy following out the line cf werk we Aad
Atartea The check vas worthless. and Leaeais
acceptance of II proved him 70 be corrrp:inle-
/ an ready and willing 10 60 before tie board Of
education and make sswcrn statement et the
facts IN the case. z. o. EAxEs-
The check was drawn on the First Ma
iional hank of this city. Mr.. Exmes says
he has no money on deposit IN this bank;
that he notified the bank officials Of what
he was doing. and tod them he would
place Leach under arrest the moment he
presented the check The detective sus-
pecses that Leach had been paid from