Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-08-19

and Will De ustu oc0""'o Wv
contract does not cover them lhev
are: r.,a,.n
Names OF BOOKS Price. Price.
Students Speler. ...,..,....''@ IL V~
Rand -McNally Introductory
Geography. .....'''.'','' I"
Rand -McNally Grammar
School Geography ,....,,.. Wa
Tarr's Physical Geography w
Seymour's Mental Arithme-
tlc........,,...'.'..' '.'''' a.,
Roudebush Vertical Writing W we
They also failed to state that 'ne
contract covers and insures at low
price several books Gncludlng nearly
all the high school books used IN the
schools, not provided by the state
They fail to mention any Of 'nese
facts which made it advisable Tor the
hoard to look before it leaped-to be
sure of the quality of its books 10
consider the expense of sweeping
change and the desirability OF low
prices for books not supplied BY the
state.
The distorted, misleading and un'
fair reports of the boards official a'-
tions were not the worst OF the Demo-
Pop press's abuse. The News and
Monitor allege boodleism against the
Republican members of the board
The News says "the three old mem
bers of the board who voted for the
contract" brewer, Murphy and Stod-
dard) received sample books two
years ago and sold them' hence they
we're ..infuenced" in their vote to
support the book trust The Monl-
tor makes similar charge against
"two members doing business on
North Broadway" evidently meaning
Mr.. Brewer and Mr. Murphy. Both
papers practically accuse these three
gentlemen Of having been picked out
by the book trust, bribed TO vote Tor
its interests and willing to rob the
people in order to get "$5 to $2l."
They think they are making strong
anti-Republican argument. Let us
tell the whole truth in the matter.
Two years ago the board took up
the matter of making tive-year con-
tract. The various publishers agents
came and presented the advantages OF
various series of readers, biographies
etc In order that the board might
examine the books, sample copies were
sent to each member from each pub
Usher, six or eight firms in all. The
board voted to take no action and the
matter was ended. Each member had
: the sample books, all Of course being
useless to the recipients. Sometime
after the books were selected l.. IT,.
) Humbargar went to the members and
offered to take the sample books at
about 40 per cent of list price, as he
. could turn them in through dealers
V The objection was made BY CLERK
Brewer and others that the companies
i. might demand them. Mr.. lumbar
a gar replied that sending free sam
A nes was customary (Which was true,
e and if they were ever called for hf
n would replace them. With this uh'
;. derstanding the books were turnef
n over to him.
s Mr., Ross received credit on his ac
g count at the book store.
d Mr.. Harding sold his at the boob
s store.
l. Mr. Murphy sold his for cash.
p Mr.. Brewer retained part OF hi
:. hooks. For the remainder he tool
70 part cash and part credit at the bool
t. store.
Mr. Stoddard retained all the book
and has them tied up in packages a
W his home.
D. The action of the other member
in not now on the board is immaterial
W but it is matter OF TACT that III
Of Hewett, Mr.. Hornaday, Mr.. Colby an
x the rest disposed of their books. MI
W Humbargar says he purchased alt'
Id gether about s75 or $50 worth. Is
ne manly, is it decent for Mr.. strothe
he and Mr.. Lane in the light OF thes
y facts to pick out Messrs. Brewer
X Murphy and Stoddard because the
ut are Republicans and denounce thel
so as "boodlersn and declare that the
he would be 'inhuenced" by the actio
all above described 1t is to the cred
L. M. II..l..... a..