The San Francisco call., 1898-03-25
FIGHT FOR
 TEXT BOOKS Friends of the Present State System Take
 Action.
They Also Desire That A. J.
 tendent of Printing.
Some of the Most Prominent Citizens of Sacramento Inaugurate
 Important Campaign.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

SACRAMENTO, March 24.-Last night the well seasoned and we'll tried craft of A. J. Johnston was again launched upon the sea of politics. The ways were greased, the stays were removed, and amid the ch-crs of friends the Superintendent of State Printing again found himself fairly entered upon the commencement of a new voyage, with the present one yet to be finished. The occasion for so early a move in that direction has been brought about by the zeal and energy displayed by the avowed enemies of the State series of text books for the public schools. For years this fight has been going on, and up to the present time the efforts of the "book ring" have been thwarted, and the parents and pupils of the public schools of California have received the benefits of one of the best school book systems in the United States.
 In order to still preserve that system, and continue the publication of the books under the present law, some of the most prominent Republicans in Sac ramento City have inaugurated a cam paign which will, no doubt, meet with the approval of every parent in Cali fornia who has experienced the bene fits and profits derived from the States supply of school books. Last night meeting was held in the parlors of the Golden Eagle. There was a large at tendance of well known citizens. Grove l.. Johnson called the meeting to order. Ex-Senator F. R. Dray was elected temporary chairman, and w. F. Gorm ley. temporary secretary. The call for the meeting was signed by the citizens whose names are attached. The call reads as follows:
 The undersigned hereby authorize the use of their respective names in the or ganiZation of a general committee of citi- zens of Sacramento having for its object the preservation of the State school text book system, the existence of which Is threatened; and also for the purpose of promoting the nomination of Hon. A. J. Johnston for the office of Superintendent of State Printing, who is known to us as a friend of said school book system:
 F. R. Dray. Grove l.. Johnson, Felix Tracy, William Beckman, c. w. Lorenz. schaw, George NJ Mott, Frank Miller, Charles F. Dillman, Thomas l.. Enwright, F. A. Crough, J. D. Young, c. E. Burn Folger, L. c. Montfort A. Casselli, John Breuner, Louis Breuner, A. G. Johnson. B. Wilson, c. T. Jones, T. H. Berkey, H. A. T. T. Johnson, Robert r. DevIin, A. Meister, c. T. Barton, Claus Anderson, A. l.. Frost, S. L. Richards, George Murray, William D. hnlRntS, JOnn Bialr, w. Y. Showler, J. E. T. Pike. T. B. Reed. w F. Knox. James B. Devine, Gus Lavenson. w H. Baldwin, Fred Kolliker, w F. Gormley Lee Stanley, George c. McMul- len O. w. Erlwine. H. E. Yardley. w H. Sherburn, J. H. Batcher, J. l.. Huntoon, F. H. Mckee, James I. Feter, w A. Fountain, James E. Mills, Benjamin Welch, H. J. Small. F. w. Mahl, T. w. Heintzelman, s. Uren, T. N. Heffron, P B. Johnson Dr. c. T. Milliken, R. l. Bent lev, F. F. Tebbets, F. l.. Gray, A. E. Mill Ter, William M. Sims, Charles l.. Miel. J. Frank Brown. F. B. Adams.
 The meeting last night was a signifi- cant one in other respects than those presented upon the surface Aside from showing the overwhelming sentiment in favor of the State school text book system and the desire to secure the nomination of A. J. Johnston. it also de- termined the necessity of restricting the number of candidates which Sac ramento City is said to contain who are aspirants for places on the State and Congressional ticket. This school book fight must be won. There are other places and positions affecting Sacramento of equal importance, con sequently it has been positively de- termined among the leading Republi- cans that the list from Sacramento County for political preferment must be thinned out.