The record-union., 1892-02-16

When the book rings ruled in the schools
every house had its skilled agent to pro-
mote the sale of its own series and point
out the defects of rival books. No criti-
cism, however adverse, has been leveled
against the California series one-half so
bitter, incisive or sweeping as were the
assaults made upon the old style of books
sin" by those representing volumes that
were ''out'
The people do not, as the Journal
charges, pay the cost of maintaining
works for the issuance of the books, and
then pay for the books on delivery in ad-
dition. The entire cost ofmanufacture, dis
tributed over group of years, is charged
into the publication account, and that,
divided among the books of the several
editions, gives the cost price, which the
people pay for themselves on delivery,
and that price is a saving of more than
one-half the cost of the volumes formerly
furnished by private book-houses.
But the rancor, venom and motive
of the assault of the Journal is exposed
in the following indiscreet and utterly
false statement, which is put forward as
verify. 1t has not even the semblanee of
truth. The fact that it is published by the
Journal, and that the Journals article is
being sent to California newspapers as a
reading matter advertisement. and paid
for as such-by whom can be surmised-
is sufficient commentary. But here is
the amazing and ludicrous array of fig
ures printed as proving the failure of the
California textbook system:
Up to january /, 1891, California in fnan-
cial account with the book business stood as
follows:
Amount paid in taxes as per
Legislative appropriations. S48O,7S5 81
Amount paid for State books
by school patrons.............. 30O5O3 13
Value of books i'll hands of pu-
pills displaced by State books
kesClInateQl eQl...............-......... 100000 90
S1,o31,26S 90
1t is really unnecessary to point out the
falsity, blundering, stupidity and ash
ninity of the above statement. It is SIM
ply bold. unblushing and stupid lie.
We may say, however, that taxes paid
for QUILTING for publication of the school
books are carried into the cost of the
books, and returned to the people in less
ened prices, and the cost price of every
book issued is returned and constitutes a
part of a revolving fund for the issuance
of new editions and volumes. The money
paid for school-books remains in the
State, and is not, as heretofore, carted to
the Golfers of Eastern book houses.
The value of books displaced'' is
false item, not even having the virtue Of
cunning. Before the State system was
adopted books were being constantly dis
placed, those Of one house by those ofan-
other. Moreover, were the item ad-
mitted, it is not continuing element,
since once thrown out. the displaced
books remain out for good.
But every charge made by the Journal
in the interest of the book rings could be
confessed and still the people find full
compensation in the State textbook sys-
tenn, from the fact that it has elected from
California, and expelled from educational
activities the corrupting, venal and con-
stantly disturbing element that fattened
upon the necessities of parents, dabbled
in all manner of State legislation, and
bought, bullyragged or misled Legisla-
lures, School Boards, politicians and
teachers.
That the book ring is industriously Sc
curing the publication in this State of the
article to which we have referred, and is
paying for it by the line, is evidence that
next winter new and concerted attack
is to be made upon the Legislature to
cripple or crush the State textbook sys-
tenn, and the present effort is to prepare
or prejudice public opinion favorably to
it. Let the friends of the State system
take warning.