The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-02-23

sptS'gt DApaEH ~ ue AHtAStncp.
CHARIEsroS, ". Va, Feb. o2.-The
house presented deserted appearance
to-day until shortly alter o clock, when
the conference committee on tho school
book bill submitted it' report. 1t had
been anxiously looked for all day and
when it was known .ha. 1t was about
to be presented there was a notable
increase in the number OF members
and spectators in the hall, among them
being Goodly number OF representa-.
tives OF various book concerns. Mr..
Morris. chairman Of the committee,
made detailed explanation OF the
various items OF tho proposed subs,i.
tu.e, saying 1t was long step 10 tho
direction Of cheap school.book,, and
would save the people Of the state with.
in the next five years S25O,00Q. He
stated that tho newspaper press OF the
state Is largely bribsd on this question,
SO that no honest man can get utterance
In them. The question is whcther the
people or hired men in the employ OF
corporations and firms shall rule.
Mr.. Campbell said be had given tho
book question considerable study, hay.
ing been In the legislature on previous
question, and he was now, as he was
then, on the side OF the people. He be-
lleved that any great change in our text
books would bs calamity to the peo.
pie. He had been blacSmailed by 70.
preseniasives OF various book concerns
since the time he became candidate in
1894 up to to-day, but Notwithstanding
all this, no stood now, rs ever. by the
people. The bill proposed sweeping
changes In the books, and ot.ercd prices
that meant no contract and, the result
would he that every book on the list
would be changed, which would mean
not only great expense 10 the people,
but the absolute Generalization OF our
public schools. He charged that the
chairman OF tho commit,re on educa-
ton, while claiming TO correct typo
graphical error as to Harvey's grammar,
had made n change in the bill tina: ab-
solutely took tho books tho house mad
voted for ou: OF our public schools. lie
claimed that star chamber sessions had
been held and propositions made there
by parties who were afraid 10 submit,
them TO the house. Rather than submit,
TO anything that will bring about a
change OF books, i, would be better to
throw the whole thing out and begin
over again. The bill proposed to put
toe much power into the hands OF three
men.
vIRrotys rrrws
Ar Smith, OF Ohio, said the question
should be disposed OF here. We dom.
wan! to carry It out into the politics OF
the mex. compngn. He also claimed to
be friend OF tho people, and believed
lie wna acting the part OF friend in ad
vocating the adoption OF the commit
ee'srepor;. Tho people are opposed 10
change IN the books, and the bill pro-
posed practically makes no change. He
did not claim that the bill was perfect,
but the committee had worked honestly
ou it, and ho considered it good ono.
Mr.. Evans said 1t was a simple uucs.
ton whether the repor, should be
adopted or whether the legislature
should adjourn withou: making any
contract He had information that at
least one OF the firms whose books were
included In tho lis. was willing to cou-
tract at the priCos named. Ho hoped
the report would b. adopted.
Judge Fleming said tho members
could no. 20 home and say that the leg.
is!a,ure was powsrless in tho matter.
IIo was opposed 10 changes in goneral
way, but ho had learned that
many OF the books could be oh.
taInel for lower prices tnan are now
charged. He favored the adoption OF
the report.
Mr.. Morris spoke again briefly. He
admitted that some OF the firms might
no: accept. The price proposed Tor
Mi.ctclrs Biographies was within half
con: Of tho prices offered by tho pub.
lishers. Hs believed all tho pnblishors
will accept. The publishers aro guar
nntced protection. They can lose no
money to which they are honestly on.
titled. undnr tho provisions Of tho bill.
Alargs publishing company had tiiod 4
proposition. accompanied by bond, to
furnish books fully equal 10 those In tho
bill for tho price proposed. II tho pub.
fishers OF tho book, named IN the bill
will not accept tho torms, books equally
ns good, in hia opinion. can be 0blaned
IRON other sources. II these firms do
refuse to ncccp: tho tcrms, instead Of
bringing calamity on tho people, they
will confer blessing.
Mr.. ARrtip spoke briefly In favor Of
tho renors. which was adopted. and tho
bill pissed. Mc-srs. Campbell, Hurmer,
Hoover and Mcdonald voted against IT..