New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-12
A TANGLE OVER TEXT BOOKS
MEMBERS OF THE NEWARK BOARD OF
EDUCATION ACCUSE A PRINCIPAL.

THEY SAY HE URGED THEM TO ADOPT A BOOK
OF WHICH HE is THE AUTHoR-HTs FRIENDS
SAY 1T IS SCHEME TO HURT HIM,
At the last meeting OF the Textbook Committee
OF the Newark Board of Education a proposition
to introduce vertical writing In certain grades OF the
Newark schools was carried and the question OF
what system should be recommended arose. TWO
had been submitted to the committee. one the
graphic SYSTEM of which Edwin Shepard. principal
of the Oliver Street School. and candidate for as
sisant superintendent is the author ana the o'her
the Merrill system. Commissioner Bradehoursh
moved that the former system be adopted ana COM
missioner Gore and Chairman Roden both objected.
Mr.. Gore said that Mr.. Shepard had called on MN
and explained the merits of the graphic system.
Chairman Roden also said that Mr.. Shepard had
visited him another matter. and In the CONVEX
sation also introduced the subject of vertical writ
ing Mr. Gore contended that such action oy d
school principal in violation OF the law "
resolution was. however. passed recommending Mr.
Shepards book, which had also been indorseo oS
Superintendent Barringer.
A strong effort will be made to upset the commit
tees report at the next Board meeting. One Com
mis- soner who favors the vertical system sa'u' ~
| vote to sustain this committees report am VIZ
Iating a law for under Section III OF PUBIC ochood
acts adopted years ago we cannot iesany use
the books in which any empoye of this Board may
not be lawful for the county superintendents schoo
,~,stees or boards OF education, or any other per-
sons officially connected with the common-schooi
system to become agents for the sale or In any way
10 promote the sale of any school books, etc
Commissioner Ransom. one OF MT Sheparu
friends In the Board. said yesterday: The whoie
thing is the result of Jealousy. II is intended 10
hurt Mr. Shepards chances for the place OF as
sstant superintendent II is the int entlon OF soie
of the Commissioners. myself among the numper.
TO try 10 force Messrs. Gore and Roden 10 prefer
charges at the next meeting OF the board IHeIs
isn't a word of truth in the claim that MI ohePaiu
solicited their support for the graphic system
Principal Shepard said Il suppose that Ut iSocen
is in hopes that he injure my chances TOT p.ins
selected as assistant superintendent. But et MN
take care or he'll get into serious trouble nave
never been candidate for the assistant superlh-
tendency Some OF my friends have suggested my
name and are fighting for me. This tax or Ut.
Rodents that I solicited his support Tor the pook
OF which an the author Is not In accord with the
facts I never asked him or Mr. Gore or any other
nate that Mr. Gore Is In Europe now. Mr.. Gore -
the only member of the committee with whom did
NOT talk about the book. did give Mr. Roden a
| COPY OF the book but II was before the DOCK was
| our and merely show what was being done
MIR Shepard when asked II he obtained any TO!
allies from the sale OF the book, said: Most GER
| family but have connection with the nrin that
publishes IT, and have not acted as their agent OF
ANYBODY clse's since the Board passed resolution
two wears ago forbidding principals 10 act as
| agents.