The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1898-06-03
The school Book Question.
Portland. Oregon. May "a 1898

Portland. Oregon. May "a 1898.
prToR DgMooaAT. d
As the time Ia approaching when the il
eople will make their hnal decision IN
egard to candidate aud policy allow me C
o address your readers direct. '
NV part of this contest has been to I
ring to the notice of our people the con-
litions OF school text books and the re- ,
ief which may be sought from our pref- !
mt unfavorable conditions. Il
To the extent Of my ability have
been giving Information such as ! could
obtain, and have been expressing my
purpose to get for Oregon as good books
at as low cost as in the neighboring
states.
This question will not now be misun-
derstood. Our people are Intelligent and
understand their interests. 1t 10 easily |
eeep that my interest lies in the direc-
tion OF information and discussion. l
have freely declared my opposition to
the present contract. and have only
sought to awaken general Interest and
inquiry. The people will not be easily
deceived by eleventh hour denials or
exrostulations on the part OF my oppo-
nent. am fully persuaded that the
voters understand the respective
positions OF my self and Mr.. Ackerman.
make no comparisons except to
shox how we stand on this all important
qrestion.
have as far as possible, provoked
general discussion. Mr.. Ackerman has
addressed, IL is said, Thousands oil per-
sons by letter, but has gone no farther
than to disclAim any politics. in the office
and to ask support upon the ground OF
his educational qualifications.
have obtained from the state super.
intendsnts OF California, Idaho, Montana,
Missouri and Texas. authentic informs.
tion as to school books and their cost. and
to the limit of my ability have published
this through the state. Mr.. Ackerman
has given no such information so far Sc
/ know, but he has not questionsd the
accuracy of mine.
have taken q course 10 secure the re.
cord Of both Mr.. Aekerman and myself
in 1894. Not until had done this did
he care to publish this information.
By our record il is shown by Mr.. Ack-
ermau that be voted the American Book
/ Company ticket While voted against it.
II do not question the conscientiousness
OF his vote, but no one can doubt that by
the vote and by his associations since
1894, he is in full understanding and
sympathy with the American BOOK
Company and am against.i,. he has
attempted to show that my vote would
bring more expensive books than his
but succeeds in doing 90 only by charg'
ing TO me the cost OF one more book than
10 himself.
Mr.. Aekerman declares that he voted
against change OF books for the sake ol
economy. He did however, vote for Ger
tain changes which were in the interest
OF the American Book Company. Neither
were changes extraYagans. Exchang'
rates were offered which made it prAcsie'
ally no more expensive to get nes goo'
books than to keep the old poor ones.
He seeks to cast oGium upon me by de
claring that voted for q Syndicate.
. which was probably something evel
. more infamous than the American Bool
Company, hus this will be merely recos
: mixed as q scare-crow for election par
poses.
The frms composing this alleged sSn
dica,e, 6inn & Co.. Maynard, Merrill
l Co, d C Heath & Go. and others n
doing business at far lees cost and fui
nishing better books to the people {
other states than is the American Boo
Company in Oregon.
lie; the people examine NIL the rumoi
: ses afioai against sell and some mor
ssrous syndicate and they will trss
] them direct to the American Book Com
/, pany.
Let the people examine the records {
: this company and they viii fnd that
Y lie good concern not to have in ou
state. In order 10 secure favorabl
prices and good books competition mus
be left open. Let us set,ie this queslio
3 in view Of the facts developed and e
, whether Oregon cannot do as well b
. her schools as 10 done IN Washington c
Idaho or Texas.
The exertion OF ths American Boo
| Company to elect Alderman are proof I
: that interest in his behalf. His publ
letter is . series OF apologies and soliCi
Q tations for the company. Through hin
= they are asking leave to stay in the ssat'
: The tone and inference OF his letter q
o well % its overt admissions reveal bin
. as their candidate, through whom the
are seeking an Endorsement At the POLL
, that will give them continuance I
! their contract.
D II. s. LYMAN.