Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1898-07-29
THE SCHOOL. TEXT BOOK PROB.
LEM.


The Oregon public schools are
loaded down With some very bad
text books and no relief In sight. The
Republican party is In full power
and its leaders deny that they are
in a any manner obligated to the
American Book Co. Monopoly. The
Republicans should be encouraged TO
do all they will 20 improve the school
text books. IL is this writer's inn
preston that they will accomplish
about as much as the silver COM
mission to Europe accomplished for
silyer-gaye everything TO gold. The
Republicans who found IL imprac-
tlcable TO force relief from the book
trust by the defeat OF Mr.. Acker-
man, will cave in again whenever
they are brought TO the point where
they need the and Of the book trust.
The Republicans will tlnd IL neces-
sary TO discuss and agitate the school
question, but that they will lind prac.
tlcable ID do will not hurt the trust
and will not give much relief 10 our
people. Nothing except real unrestrlct-
ed competition among the book
companies will giye us an approach
to fair prices.
In the summary OF votes cast IN
Oregon II appears that ii. s. Lyman,
the Union candidate ran about two
thousand votes ahead of.the Union
ticket. Where he was best known
he carried large vote. Clatsop
county where he lives gaye the Re
publican candidate for governor 7sO
majority. but Lyman carried the
county by l4l. He was supported by
thousands OF the best and most con-
scientious people In Oregon OF all de-
nominations.
Prof. Lyman made brave battle
against the American Book Co. and
Its methods OF securing control OF the
school text book business. He is
a man of clear convictions on the sub
ect land fought the monopoly
openly, while his opponent disclaimed
all connection with the American
Book Company, but undoubtedly had
It's support. Ackerman is a poor man
but the state was flooded with thou
sands OF typewriter letters making
personal appeals for support on educa-
tional grounds and for non-p partisan
reasons. These letters were sent 10
all teachers, school officers and tax
payers. There was no word OF oppo-
sltlon 10 the Book Trust In these let
ters. The subject was carefully
avoided, In the leading state paper
Ackerman denied that he. was the
American Book Company candidate.
The press all over the state of his
party denied that he was for the
Book Company. No doubt thousands
OF Republicans voted for him so be-
lIeylng and probably belleye 70 this
day that they elected a deadly foe Of
the Trust, and true friend OF open
competition 10 quality aud prices OF
textbooks. Mr.. Ackerman's course
many confirm their confidence or IL
may undeceiye them. He will ap-
point nine members OF the state board
OF examiners who will be for or
against a monopoly by the American
Book Company, They may not be
openly for the monopoly but will at
least not resist Its labors 20 keep its
grasp ON the entire school textbook
business OF Oregon. Ackerman may
use his appolntive power In state
institutions and with county super
intendents In The interest OF that
company or against II.
We want Republicans who do not
believe In the American Book Co.
monopoly in ourpubllc schools 10 keep
their eyes open and see what win be
done. We want Republican news
papers and campaign speakers and
educators who haye vouched for
Ackermap, as not being an American .
Book Ro. maa, 20 keep their eyes ,
open and see II they have not been
This issue, whether or not one
public school patrons shall remain
under the burden OF this tax for
higher prices for textbooks than
pther states compel their citizens 10 ,
pay, Is now With the Republiean ,
parts, The Union voters and all sho !
iid pot vote for Ackerman have done !,
IhelF duis partly or fully. aud IL re