Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1898-05-13


g. frt = sa-l, i'fer irrhrnia 'or
have at the ~ ne time bersed IL n1l
u mention their names, ss they feared
that the Americsn buok Company
might hereafter persecute them for it
Recognizing the fact early 10 our
investigation that the company prob.
ably had this power. aud, from its
known past history, would not scfuple
10 use il, we have not deemed il
proper or just to have it present, by
its agent or representative, at all Of
our meetings. IL has, however. been
before Us BY its agent and attorney,
and Ue have carefully examined what
IL bad to present to US.
''The board Of examiners and other
officers charged with the selection Of
school books for the coming six years
should consider the subject carefully.
Such books as HarriBgton's Speller,
already referred to, can easily be sold
for 20 cents copy, and still net an
excessive profit 70 the company and
aud it and many other books
Of this Company are pushd
and recommended chiefly fo-
their apparent cheapness. AS a mat
ter Of fact. such aggregation Of cheap
paper and pasteboard, aud still
cheaper literary aud educational work,
are dear at any price. Tliey are UNFIT
70 be used.
"A wise and judiciOus selection Of
the best books published should be
made; and these should be selected
imDartially for merit alone, without re-
gard TO the interests of the different
publishing houses.
1--WE CANNOT CONDEMN TOO
STRONGLY THE inertia and apathy OF
our voting population that has result
ed 10 such state Of affairs as now
exists iE our city. II can only be
remedied in future elections.
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT AS
WE INFORMED YOU IN oURLAsT RE-
PORT, j. ii. Ackerman, the county
superintendent, WAS APPOINTED PRIS.
CIPAL Of the Harrison street public
school, giving up, apparently, a larger
salary for a less one. The motive for
this move still remains a good deal OF
mystery 70 US. 1t was suggested
by witnesses before US that the orig
inal plan was 10 appoint one Of the
present school directors deputy county
superintendent. If this arrangement
was ever contemplated the publicity
given to the recent changes has COM
PEELED its abandonment. For some
time it was understood, and, we believe
upon the authority of Mr.. Ackerman
himself, it was announced that he
was TO resign the county superinten-
dency, upon taking charge of the
school. The appointment Of his sue
cessor would then be in the county
court. An active canvass for the Of
tice naturally commenced, and T. H.
Crawford and +. G.. Young appeared
TO be leading candidates for the pros
pectively vacant office. Then another
change occurred, and nothing more
was heard OF the proposed resignation,
but Mr.. Ackerman appointed G. W.
Gantenbein. young practicing law
yer Of this city, deputy county school
superintendent, retaining in himself
both Of the Offices of county superin-
tendent and principal.
cit is apparent that no one man
can perform both duties, or, in hon.
esty to the public, draw both salaries;
and we regret that Mr.. Ackerman has
allowed himself TO be placed in such
an equivOcal position. If, however,
our surmise that the American Book
Company is in control of our school
machine Is correct, Mr.. Ackerman's
action is very ineligible. The county
superintendent is one Of the officers
charged with the selection OF public
school books for the state for the en-
suing six years. Had Mr.. Ackerman
resig ne / the position of county super
lntendent, 1t might have been iilled
with some one not personagrata To
the American Book Company.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS n. STRONG,
IS, f. JOSEPH,
&C. II. WooDARD.
special Committee on Schools"