The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-02-26
Ql,r Sutelliqc,,rrr
wHEELlNG. FEBRUARY 30, 1908.
Tho School Book Contracts.

There was enough OF tho school book
question as it was presented to tho log.
i,lature to mako highly interesting
{ volume. Members with iew exceptions
won't 10 Charleston opposed TO a gen.
eral change in the books. There was a
practically unanimous sentiment in ia.
vor Of changing Holiness history out
and putting in its place ono without tho
partisan character OF that work. This
was accomplished satisfactorily by put.
ting in Montgomery'a history, published
by CHM & Co.
Bet the idea and the good intentions
Of the majority were not according to
the scheme OF small and pestiferous
minority, which had other views and
was moved by other sentiments. Tha.
minority sought to accomplish very
different end. The scheme was to pre-.
tend TO make few changes aud We. to
bring about radical change.
Delegate Morris had bill ready to
dump on the house at the start. This
suited the speakers notion. and he
made Morris chairman OF the house
committee on education. Morris began
his campaign by posing as the peoples
champion. Anybody vino did not agree
with him was ignorant or corrupt, or
both. He was so free with hia denunci.
. alton that he made many good men
afraid to oppose him. Others. who did
not agree with him, trusted to the
senate to bring order out OF the chaos
of,his bill.
Id the belly OF tho original bill was a
fine scheme to compile the school
books to DO used in the state and to
publish them by contract, and Morris
WA beforehRudede enough to name him.
self as a member OF the board that was
to>do this. Having an Astounding and
aggressive confidence in his own ability
aud integrity he was willing to trus.
himself to supervise this important
work. In the conference committee OF
the two houses this par. of the scheme
was knocked in the head. The senate
would have none OF it.
It was decided in tho conference to-
create board to solicit proposals for
S books in case tho publishers OF the
books named in the bill would not con
tract at the prices offered. Here the
nimble Morris was at tho front again.
He had to be member Of that board or
the bill could not pass. He aud his
little coterie would no; allow it TO pass.
He and the res, OF them had ths pub.
lishers assurances that they would not
accept the prices
all the more reason why Morris
desired to be member Of the contract.
ing board. He was in close touch with
new publishing concern that was
ready TO contract, but the legislature
had not chosen that firms books. The
new school book board could take those
books, however. and Morris was bound
to be on, that board. The legislature
was not let into the whole secre. OF tho
new concerns cheap books, but Morris
and lew others were. and these others
were helping tho thing along.
Delegate smith, oil Ohio county, was
not o member OF the house commi.teo
on education, but when the conference
COMMITTEES was appointed he was part
OF it, tho only man in either house not
member OF tho committee on education
aud yet member OF tho conference
committee. flo aud Morris desired his
appointment, and tho speaker was glad
TO oblire At tho las. minute Morris
was Knocked out OF the school board by
tho senate insisting that tho appoint.
ments should be made by the governor.
This was sore disappointment 10
Morris and his little faction, but thero
was no help for it.
The prices in tho report OF tho con.
ference committee AMI ms adopted by
the houses arc higher than they were
in Morris's bill, but after tho passage
Of tho bill, as before. tho publishers Of
the books most largely used in the com.
mon schools said tina, they would no,
contract at those prices. This is tho
position taken by tho publishers oil
Mi.cheirs biographies, McGutley'q
spoilers and readers, Rays arithmotics
and Hnrvey's graminars. They say also
that tho provisions made for tho pay.
mention books through tho local do
positorics arc not e. all satisfactory.
I II theso publishers will not furnisl
tho books at tho prices and under Tho
conditions named tho school book
z board Is to invite proposals. for furnish
ing books Ms provided IN tho bill. Thi!
means a very radical chnngc In The
books used in the common schools o
tho state. Tho question does not touch
tho schools OF Wheeling or Of any othe