The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-04-27

Text Book Prices.
Guthrie. o. T., April 2e.-(Special-)-
The general odium attached to the
Fourth legislative assembly has increas-
ed to a feeling of deep anger since the
provisions of the school book law have
been more clearly shown up through the
publication Of the contract entered into
between Territorial Superintendent Mich
OILS and the American Book company,
whereby the big monopoly is insured
five years graft in furnishing practically
al the school books used in the territory
during the next five years.
The legislature being adjourned and
there being nobody else to cuss, it is quite
natural that the public should vent its
anger on Superintendent Nichols, who is
also charged with having permitted him
self to fall victim to the hypnotic In
fiuence of the American Book company.
In vigorously denying the charge the
superintendent insists that under the law
it was made mandatory upon him within
sixty days>io ascertain what text books
ir the various branches taught in the
public schools are IN most general use
and to contract with the publishers OF
said books for a period of five years for
a supply Of said books. From informa-
ton received from the various counties
the superintendent ascertained that 80
per cent Of the text books now If use In
Oklahoma are published exclusively by
the American Book company; hence, he
contends, he had no option in the matter
but was obliged to contract with the book
monopoly. He insists that the law, ard
not himself, is to blame, If the territory
has got the worst of it.
THE principal how. over the contract"
said Superintendent Nichols, comes
from the book sellers, who are now obig-
ed to give a written guarantee that they
viii not charge more for school books
than the list price ramed in the contract.
Heretofore they have charged the con-
sumers any price their cupidity dictated.
The law does not require this limitation
Of price to the consumer, nevertheless, 1
insisted upon its being inserted in the
contract. l will also state that under the
contract Oklahoma will be furnished
school books at as low a price as any
state in the Union that is being supplied
by the American Book company. and the
territory will receive the benefit Of any
reduction in prices anywhere within the
United States"
THE CONTRACT.
Following is the contract for the supply
and use Of text books:
This contract and agreement made
and entered into by and between the Ter
ritory of Oklahoma, by A. o. Nichols.
territorial superintendent of public III
srruction, party of the first part, and the
American Book company. corporation,
created and existing under and by virtue
of the laws of the state of New Jersey,
party Of the second part, witnessetn:
That, whereas, The Territory Of Okla
homa, by an act approved March IL, 1897
provided If section 1 for a contract be-
tween the territorial superintendent Of
public instruction and the publishers of
such text books as should be found TO be
in most general use in said territory. the
said territorial superintendent of public
instruction and the American Book COM
pany of New York. Cincinnati and Chi
cage, have entered into the following con-
tract:
In consideration Of the provisions OF
said act. and the payment Of one do
lar, the receipt Of which is hereby &C
knowledged, the American Book company
as party of the second part. agrees with
said party of the first part 10 supply the
following list of books for the use of the
schools Of said territory on the terms and
at the prices herein stated: