Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1898-05-27


the last clean page oD its record. Auy
retreat from its we'll known position
ia this discussion will but convince
the people that its only end in public
criticism is not to obtain relief foI
the people Of the state, but a share for
itself 10 the proceeds Of eEtortiOn.
No later than March %, OF
the present year. the Oregonian
said editOrially ''of the Al votes to be
cast at the adoption, q are necessary
20 a choice. III the American Book
Company can coudrol g votes by Sc
curing the appointment OF zen on
the state board OF examiners friendly
to it. but twelve additional will lie
required to give it monopoly OF the
school book trade OF Oregon for six
years more. Under the foregoing con-
ditiOOs nominating conventions have
an important duty to perform. No
man should be nominated for super
Intendent Of public instruction whU
is not avowedly upDnsed to the Amer
lean Book Company. Its hold on
school patrons OF Oregon is a grevious
burden from which they should be
relieved as soon as possible -
l assume that the Oregonian is
responsible for its editorial state
meuts. To intimate the contrary
would be to suggest that its utter
ences editorially given are open to
the dictation Of either iguorence.
caprice, or purchase.
/ would therefore demand that for
the information OK voters the Ore.
gonian state editorially upon its town
responsibility all necessary facts as TO
the cost Of books in the state OF
Washington, California, Idaho. Mon
tana, Missouri, and Texas; or any
others as demanded; / demand also
that IT give its own best Judgment as
to the character and methods Of the
American Book Company. aud inform
the people from its best information
whether it has done or is now doing
its best in the way OF prices and quality
OF books in Oregon; and third, l de
mand that the Oregonian state
to its readers from its best informa-
tion whether or not J. II. Ackerman,
candidate upon the Republican ticket
for superintendent Of public instruc-
tion, was supported or favored at the
Republican convention by the friends
Of this company, or was any preference
shown to him at that time by r. l..
Edwards, agent OF the company; and
whether since the Astoria convention
the friends of this company, or its
agents, r. L. Edwards, has expressed
a preference as to the candidates fo-
this office. l would also demand Of
the OregonIan whether by the record
and associates of Mr.. Ackerman 1t
can designate him as the candidate
meeting the requirements laid down
by it editorially March %.
l do not make these demands indi-
yidually but as candidate OF great
Union party in this state who will
not accept anything but accurate in
formation and truthful conclusions.
Now let me say a word through
your columns to the people; both TO
those who have nominated me and to
those TO whom Mr.. Ackerman has been
presented as the chosen candidate.
This is a part Of the great contest
now raging in every quarter; that Of
privilege against rights; the endless
struggle in which eternal vigilance is
the price of liberty. Oae by one the
great combinations have been obtain
ing control Of public opportunities
until now the very last remnant Of
open competition seems to be sub
merged; education itself, knowledge
itself, character itself, each of which
is intended to be as free as the air,
are brought under the sinister control.
The inevitable consequence is result
Ing from universal monopollzatiOn.
After the ABSORPTION Of the peo-
pies substance has preceded control Of
their means of information, aud edu-
cation is sought, in order that the in
telligence to know their bondage and
the spirit TO resist it may also be de-
MED.
Let US quote few lines which the
keenest In sight among American po-
cts has Ylsualized. He describes the
long tragedy as seen by one looking
upon mans struggles and sufferings.
He says;
But see; amid the mimic rout,
A crawling shape intrude;
A blood red thing that writhes from
out
The scenic solitude.
1t writhes, it writhes! with mortal
pangs
The mines become ITS food;
And the Angels weep t yermin fangs
In human gore imbued.
Was that vision born of dellrum?
Possibly, on the part Of the one who
the lines; but the real SER
pent In mans tregedy is now appear
Ing in destructive form In oar so
ciety.
Fold by fold, twist by twist, the
absorption OF the peoples rights in
privileges, is progressing
Unless actual competition is main
.ained, and the people feel sure that