Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-14

tieman heard In the afternoon, and he
very strongly set forth the justice OF the
claims OF the local publishers for a share
OF the States patronage. arguing that the
success OF one meant the benefit OF the
others. He thought that there were arr
pie facilities In this city for the publica-
ton OF school books. and hoped that the
board would consider the claims OF those
at home. lie presented for especial con-
sideration the spelling blanks prepared
| by Principal J. =. Thomas. OF the High
School, which IL now on the list. and
urged its retention.
AUTHOR AND EDITOR.
DIR. Frank l.. Scvenoak, representing
the Macmillan Company. of London and
| New York. was next given an audience
Dr. Sevenoak Is a distinguished author
| and editor OF a series Of advanced mathe-
matical works, and he interested the
board in number OF books which his
company desires to furnish. He spoke for
some time, and when he concluded Mr..
W. II. Wheeler. OF the Houghton- MiGiin
Company was introduced. He presented
good many publications. but the one
he urged most vigorously was the history
from the pen of John Fiske. He made
quite long talk. and threw much light
on the school-book question.
After he concluded the board adjourned
Tor the day. 10 meet again In the Office
OF superintendent Southall at 10 o'clock
this morning. A great many agents are
yet to be heard, and 1T is thought more
than likely that some spicy matter will
De brought out as the session proceeds
THE FEDERATION OF LABOR.
Anent the school-book agitation now
pending. the Federation OF Labor has
prepared the following address to the
public:
Realizing that the most important
question in the history of public educa-
ton is about TO be decided
by our present Board of Edu-
cation 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 to prepare themselves, until
to-day they appear in our Commonwealth
fearless OF competition and with books
which have Justly won the plaudits Of
the best teachers and scholars in the |
land More than this, they stand offering
better books on better terms than have |
ever been offered before; and we feel |
certain that our board will never have |
a better opportunity TO show their faith |
in "home industry than by giving an |
incentive to southern authors and pub
fishers. We advocate no particular /
southern house. but all, and as sensible |
mechanics and laboring-men join with
our progressive publishers and authors,
knowing that prosperity for them means
for us. Yea. more than this
for IL they are successful in Virginia
they will press into every State of the
South, and Of the Union. which means
that we will have great publishing-houses.
which will give steady work 10 the pres
ent idle army of printers, bookbndefs,
etc. Let our people everywhere in
state call upon their representatives and
public men generally 10 impress upon the
board our earnestness in this very i'm
portant matter. Every trade and labor
council in the State have endorsed our
southern houses. and al the recent con-
vention i'm Roanoke they were commend
ed for their enterprise. Let our business
associations throughout the state better
themselves as our labor organiZa lions in
this matter, and we will indeed win n
victory for southern education. We do
not hesitate to say that it is a disgrace
70 Virginia that every year so much
money should be sent out of the State
for the purchase Of books, when better
books can be secured here. Let us, above
al things, see that as far as i'm our
power lies, that there shall be no more
scandals attached to these matters. We
believe all our people are with the home
but we do not hesitate to show
hat we arc with them, and to let |
very one know it. Our representatives.
ire instructed TO do their very best for
hem, and lead our fight for home enter
rise"
Messrs. Kzer and Perkins, OF Norfolk,
nd F.. c. Folkes of Richmond. represent
he Federation of Labor