Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-29
Russell- NO chanKes desIred.

Scott~No reply.
enandoah--satisfactory Webster's
dictionary preferred TO Worccster's.
Smyfh--All giving satisfaction.
Soushampton-Giying general sausfac-
tion: no changes desired.
Spoisyiyania Giving satisfaction.
Satisfactory.
Surry-Glving satisfaction.
Susscx--EDtirtly satisfactory.
. Tazewell--No change desired.
Warren--No changes desired. unless TO
washlngtcn-~Satia
Westmoreland--Satisfa
Wise-No changes contemplated at pres
wythc-some objection to Harvey's
grammar
York-No reply.
Upon this evidence the book-IIst for 1894
was adopted.
HOLDS FOR -FOUR YEARS.
Tho contract called ln the article "the
iniqSitoGs contract embraces a period OF
four years; that made by South Carolina
seven years.
select from the Virginia and South
Carolina contract the same school-book.
and the introductory price" Chat is, for
the new book is the same. The price
In exchange" chat is where books are
cxchanged). II this assertion In the arti-
Gle be correct. Is lower. And this may
be because the period of South Cardinals
But. be this as u may. embodied In and
part Of the boards contract for 1894 IL
this siipulation:
III the publisher OF any book adopted
for use In the public schools OF Virginia
fails TO make the price thereof AZ low
20 the pupils OF the public schools OF Nir-
gifiia as the same book Is supplied TO the
pupils Of the public schools OF any other
State under q State contract, the contract
made by this board. or its representative
Wit
of this board be declared null and void"
III this stipulat atom has been violated to
the injury OF the patrons and children
OF our schools. the matter will be investi-
gated and the wrong, II any there be,
rigbted
GOVERNOR AND ATTORNEY-G GENE
RAIL
The article charges: There is a mystery
about these contracts. Several months
after the contracts were signed O'Ferrall
stated that though he had signed the
contracts as "a member of the board, he
did not know who drafted them, and
on the same occasion Attorney-General
Scott said he had never seen the contracts
and did not know who drew them, and
this. though he was the chief law officer
Of the State"
The form Of this contract had been In
use for years; IT'S every stipulation, term
and condition had bsen agreed upon and
determined by the parties, and II only
remained to write out what had been
agreed and submit the same to the Gov
ernor for his approval and signature, and
who should do this was matter OF no
consequence.
When reduced to writing and signed by
the Governor. the contract had on II the
terms, etc, as agreed between the parties
10 it-then and now believed to be Tor
the good OF the Commonwealth, and the
discreet, proper and honest exercise or
the authority and power entrusted by the
Constitution and laws Of Virginia TO the
Board Of Education.
THE BOARDS SECRETARY.
The records Of the board are kept open
10 inspection. as the law directs. They are
in the custody Of their secretary, J.. A.
McGilvray, efficient, Industrious, kind,
and courteous. He is ready and prompt
TO make copy of papers and exhibit the
minutes" contracts. and other papers 10
any and all who come to him with au-
thorty from the board or any member or
H. What more can any reasonable man
ask?
SUPERINTENDENT MASSEY.
Mr.. Massey is known throughout the
State. He has served with distinction ana
honor in the General Assembly, with
ability managed the Auditors office. filled
the high place of Lieutenant Governor,
and Is now serving his second term as
Superintendent of Public instruction. This
long and varied service TO the Common
wealth should have protected him from
an assault through the columns OF a
newspaper. instigated by whom he knows
not.
Mr.. Massey met the charges preferred
by state Senator Food in the Senate,
session Of lS9l-92. and was unharmed. "A
member of the Board of Education. the
law arms his accuser with the means 10
his end
mittees." Section 1872. Code Of 1887, IS as
follows-viz: mo member OF the Board
Of Education shall have any pc
cuniary interest directly or indirectly
or directly or indirectly receive
any gift emolument, reward. or promise
of reward for his influence in recommend-
ing or procuring the use OF any book;
map. or school apparatus or fuIniturs %
anV kind in any public free school OF
teacher who shall violate this provision.
besides berg removed from his post, snail
be subject to a penalty of not less than
$40 nor more than 500"
In the light Of day. go before the grand
inquest Of the country. make your accusa-
ton. and take the consequences. DO not
stab in the dark!
Very respectfully,
CHARLES II. O'FERRALI4
Governor of Virginia.
r. TAYLOR SCOTT,
Attorney General of Virginia.
Richmond, Va, December Y, lS9i'
Book Company VIII Sue.
Mr.. J. w. Womack, the agent Of the
American Book Company, who is charged
iuferentially in the Pilots article with
having bribed Mr. Massey, returned from
New York yesterday. and brought with
him the following letter:
Sir.-We have read the sensational arti-
Gle published in the Norfolk Pilot Of Sun.
dav last, charging the State Board OF
Tducation of Virginia and our representa-
tive with wholesale bribery and corrup-
ton in connection with the adoption of
school textbooks for the State and
awarding contracts for the supply Of the
same. The proper tribunal to inyesusate
such charges Is n court of the Common
wealth of Virginia. and we shall only
trespass on your space at this time TO
saw that every material charge. so far as