The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-14
He Appeared as Attorney for the
American Company.
THE DEMOCRATS MIGHT SUFFER.
A Remark Made by the state Senator
VIII be Replied TO To-Day by Mr.
n. V. Randolph, who May Make
Some Revelations as to- the
Methods Employed by
the New York Concern

The state Board or PUBIC INSTRUCTION
met yesterday in the office OF Superin-
tendent Southal, in the State Library.
10 hear representatives Of publishing
houses Offering books for use In the pub
lie schools. All the members were pres
ent.
state Senator Beverly y. sLunford. coun-
sci for the American Book Company. was
first heard. He spoke FOR nearly an hour
He tried to impress upon the board that
a serious mistake would be made IL the
contract with the American Company
should not be renewed. lie said the re-
suit would be that the parents OF school
children would have to spend mucn
money for books they already have.
Mr.. Munford also took occasion TO say
that II the board did not renew its con-
tract with the American Book Company
that the Democratic party in this state
might be ruined This statement occa-
stoned a mild sensation among those or
the outside of the room who heard H.
and several caught the remark, FOR Mr..
Munford was in good voice, and could
be heard some distance.
MIR. RANDOLPE'S POSITION.
gentleman reported 10 Mr.. N. V. Ran
doph, one OF the committeeman from
the Chamber of Commerce. appointed 20
urge upon the board the adoption OF Nir-
ginia-madc books. what Mr.. Munford
had said. Mr. Randolph did not wish to
do Mr.. Munford an Injustice, and he
somewhat doubted that he had made tns
statement attributed TO him lie, there
| fore, called upon Mr.. Munford TO ask
| him 10 state exactly what he did say.
The attorney and MIR. Randolph are
! the very best OF friends. Mr.. Randolph
| told the lawyer that he could not be-
| ieve II was true that he had said 10
the board that the Democratic party
/ would be ruined by the allure 10 renew
| a book contract with New York COM
| pany.
Mr.. Munford replied that after sub
hitting his written argument in the
matter he had told the board that II the
| contract should not be renewed that the
| Democratic party might suffer and that
| Congressman Swanson and Judge w. +.
| Rhea had told the Governor practically
| the same thing.
TO MAKE \ REPLY.
Mr. Randolph said he was shocked ana
| amazed 10 learn that Mr. Munford should
admit that the Democratic party was
owned and controlled by the American
iAbVk 3Uul1HNa
Mr.. Munford replied that II was far
| from his intention 10 convey such an
| idea. What he meant was that the peo-
| pie might hold the party responsible for
the expense they would be put to IN
buying new books.
Mr. Randolph Will address the board
| this afternoon and II Is said he Will after
replying 10 Mr. Munford's remarks pour
some hot shot into the American Com
| pany. It is hniod that Mr.. Randolph
may have some startling statements 10
make as TO methods employed by the
American Company in this state. Mr..
| W. o. Skelton Is ON the committee with
| Mr. Randolph. They have no Interest
I'm the matter other than desiring TO see
tho virginia publishers books placed on
| the list.
Besides Mr. Munford. other persons
| heard at the morning session were Louis
| Bell for the j. =. Bell Company. or
Lynchburg. W b. Linn. for the Column
ba Book Company. Of Philadelphia. Mr..
| H. NJ. Hebdon. for W j. G.. Dulany
Co, of Baltimore; and W r. Walker Jr.'
| for CHM ~ CO. OF Boston
OTHERS HEARD
A. the afternoon session Mr. J. l.. Hill.
| Of the J. T. I'M Printing Company, OF
| Richmond. appeared and advocated tho
retention Of Thomas spelling blanks pn
| the list
Or Frank l.. Sevcnoak, representing
| the Macmillan Company OF New YORK.
! advocated some OF school publications or
that firm. notably Carpenters English
| Grammar and Tarrs Physical Geography.
Mr. Henry Nathan Wheeler, represent
ing Houghton. Mlffiin a Co. advocated
tho adoption Of Colburn's lnteltectuai
Arithmetic. and Of the Riverside Litera-
| ture series for supplementary reading.
! He also presented John F1ske's History
| of the United states a. the work OF the
greatest living historian.
The hour for adjournment having arr
| rived tho board took recess I'LL 10
! o'clock this morning.
Not one half Of the publishers have YET
| been heard. and IL Is probable that the
hearings will not be completed before
| Friday evening.
Mr. y. r. Johnson. % Richmond. will
be the first speaker to-day. lie will ask
tho adoption Of some excellent books
printed in Virginia and will promise that
| II his company Is given the contracts
asked for 800 printers, sterotypers book
| binders. etc. will he put to work IN
| thirty days.
| LABOR UNION FOR HOME BOOKS.
In view of the question OF school books
/ now being discussed here the Fedora
| tfon OF Labor has prepared the follow
ing address to the public;
| "Realizing that the most Important
question IN the history 81 public eduea-
tlon Is about 10 he decided by our present
| Roard OF Education in the State; We feel
that in an issue OF such vital consequences
to all classes OF our people. that the
voice OF labor should be heard. For a
number OF years southern authors and
publishers have striven 10 prepare
| themselves until to-day they appear In
J our Commonwealth fearless Of compesi-
tion and with books which have justly
won the piaudits of the best teachers
and scholars Ia the land. More than
this they stand Offering better books on
better terms than have even been OF
fered before: and we feel certain that
our Board viii never have better op-
portunity TO show their faith IN Home
Industry" than by giving an incentive 20
southern authors and publishers. We sa-
vocate no particular southern house put
ALL and as sensible mechanics and 'apo.-
! t.fs. NH UfNKf<@XT0