The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1890-01-29
WILSON'S PBT SCHEME.
He Sends in a Message on on the
a,. School Book Question.
AN INDIANA PUBLISHING FIRM
Wants to Furnish The books at Con
sidcrably Less Cost than tho Pres ,
cnt systcni-QnccrA Arguments
In Favor or n Change.

ePeetat Dhpdtch 10 inc ihteHtgeHcer, tl.. y a
CHARLESTON, W. Va, Jan. 2s.-The
Governor has the House Committee on
Education solid for a part, at least, on
his school book scheme, but close per.
sonal canvas Of members left room to
doubt whether this solidity goes beyond
the committee. The Governor is deter
mined 10 drive something through and
he bobbed up to-day with specia! ines.
sage on the school book question. In the
message he says that since the convening
Of the Legislature he had "ascertained
facts concerning the practical operation
Of tho laws of sister State (neaning
lndiana) in regard to furnishing school
books to the patrons OF tho free schools,
which are OF great Importance in con.
sldering the suggestions and bills now
before you in relation TO that question"
The message then tolls Of the passage
OF the school book act OF Mnrch, 1850,
by the Indiana Legislature, and the ap-
pointment OF II Commissioner, all 70.
sultlng lin the creation Of a great in.
dustry in Indiana-the In;liana School
Book Couipany, aud the following books
equal, II not superior in every respect,
to those now in use in this State, at the
following prices, which are here given
with comparative prices with those now
used in West Virginia."
INDIANA PRICES LOWER.
The Indiana prices are undoubtedly
lower. He continues: "Here then is
the fact that wc are paying over So per
cent more for the books named than the
State of Indiana is paying for books OF a
like character, as good in every way rs
ours; and we are assured by the mana
ger Of the Indiana house that the same
books can be furnished to us ut the same
price,"
He advised the Legislature that il it
iall to act now the present contracts
will have to be renewed. He would
have "a competent commission appoint
cd who shall advertise and receive pro.
posals from publishers, authors and
others, and when the proposals are all
in, ii satisfactory books be presented,
select and adopt series for this State
within the maximum prices as fixed by
tho statute.n
lie things it will not be necessary to
sustain loss Oh books now in hand. In
conclusion the Governor says: "The
people have no lobbyists here to present
their case"
The Governor iorgets that Mr.. ..Haw-
kins, United States Marshal Of Indiana,
under President Cleveland, was here the
other day representing the people OF
West Virginia and the Indiana school
book publishing company. So
CAST OFF SCHOOL BOOKS. ~
Those who read the Governors mes
sage and have never seen or heard any
thing else Oh the subject might suppose
that all Indiana has risen up and called
its school book publishing company
blessed. Perhaps tho Governor is not
aware that the concern has been de.
nounced by the press Of Intiana as a |
jobber in cast-oF school bosks, whose
wares are not cheap at any price. II the
Governors commission agree with him
that the books OF this concern are good
enough for West Virginia, it would be a
farce to write for proposals-that pub
fishing company woald sweep away all
competition. l.s4'
While the Governor was writing his
Indiana message the House CoA,mittee
was trying to get into shape the Indiana
law, and is at it still. The committee
had two meetings to-day. 1t is interest
ing to hear the arguments used in sup
port Of the Governors propositions
Republicans are told that there can't
possibly be any politics in school book
question. Democrats are urged to stand
up to the sack because the measure will
be OF great benefit To the Democratic
party, and il the Democrats don't pass
it now the Republicans will next time,
when they will almost certainly have
the Legislature. Some fish refuse to
take either OF these bats, but the Gov
ernor does not give it up. .
JOINT RESOLUTION ON THE SUBJECT.
In the House to-day, Mr.. St. Clair,
(Rep.) Of Monongalia, offered House
Joint Resolution No. 5: zss
Rtsolred, BY the Legislature OF West
Virginia, both houses ,concurring there.
IN, that We hereby give notice to any and
all publishing houses furnishing to this
State school or text books Of any kind,
that ten days will be given to said houses
or firms to renew any and all contracts
now In force with the State Superin-
tendent Of Free Schools for the term OF
five years from the expiration Of the
present contracts, provided, however,
that any and all contracts hereafter made
shall be at a discount OF 20 per cent Of
the present contract price. y 37Sss'"s,
The resolution was laid over for one
day. Il g55.,. ,5sie; g5l4. eis.al 81
80 REvISInN OR tnIvISJAN ~. 5tttfsf