Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1891-02-21
CHARGED WITH BRIBERY.
A Sensation Caused in the West Vir-
ginia Legislature.

CHARLESTON, w. VA, Feb. H.
At the last session of the Legisla-
ture Of West Virgin ia, the matter of
changing the school books used in
the free scho OILS of the State was
taken up, and as tive-year old con-
tract with the old firm of Van Ant
werp, Bragg & Co., book publishers,
had about expired the State super
intendent of schools was instructed
by the Legislature to enter into a
years contract with the same firm,
but before the year was up the firm
united with other publishers and the
style of the new concern was chang.
ed to the American Book Company.
All school book publishers learned of
the one year contract, and also learn
ed that an effort to change the text
books in the State schools would be
made at the present session of the
Legislature, and when the question
was brought up early in the session,
it was referred to the educational
committee, which received bids from
a number of school book publishers.
1t appears that dissatisfaction on the
part of some of the non-represented
concerns arose after the bids were
opened, and in order to deal fairly
with all, the committee agreed to re-
ceive, and did receive new bids from
all who wished to bid on furnishing
books for the schools of the State.
The contest has been quite spirited
and the fight a strong one, and fully
a score of book men have been on
the field doing all they could to have
their respective books adopted. The
disposition of the majority of the
committee and members of the Legis-
lature was not to change the present
system, and IN order to show the
number of books published and sold
by that branch of the American
Book Company, an agent, it is al
legged, came here to carry the project
through. 1t is charged that he used
money and whiskey freely in certain
quarters. This afternoon, it is al
legged, Delegate Ed. B. Dyer, of Ka-
nawha county, while in the hotel
lobby was approached by him and
asked how he stood on the school
book question. Dyer told him that
he did not favor change and believ-
ed that the old books should con-
tinue in use. The agent told Dyer
that he was pleased to learn that he
was his friend in the matter and
hoped that he would make state
ment in favor Of the books, as he
could not. Dyer reiterated that he
did not favor a change, and the
agent, it is asserted, said that he
wanted to do something as favor
for him, but Dyer said he did not
want anything for his honest convic-
tions. The agent, it is alleged, said
that he would make present to him
and upon saying so, it is charged
put his fingersin Dyer's vest pocket.
Dyer turned away and went to the
room of delegate Thompson, from
Summers county, and it is stated
said to that gentleman "Here is a
bribe," and pulled roll of money
from his vest pocket, which proved
to be $50. Dyer and Thompson then
went to the House of Delegates, and
during the afternoon session Dyer
rose to a question of personal priv
ilege, and there stated the circum-
stance, and handed the $50 over to
Speaker Burnett. An investigation
was ordered, and the sergeant-at-
arms Was sent to arrest the agent,
whose name was given as George
Howard, but he was not found at his
hotel. The officer was informed that
Howard had left the building, and it
is rumored here tonight that he will
be in Cincinnati by morning The
investigation will create great
sensation, and it is said will involve
some who would rather not be known
in this affair.