The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1899-01-28
IN HIS TRUE LIGHT.

| .sWhere does Prof. Ackerman stand
with reference to the American. Book
| Company" was question asked the
voters of Oregon last June. The
answer was presumed to.be that he
was not a tool of that concern, for
they elected him superintendent OF
public instruction, but had they be.
lieved he was. Influenced by or under
the control of the gigantic book
trust, they would have voted other.
wise, because there are few con.
scientious voters in the state who are
willing tn put servant of the Ameri.
csa Book Company at the head of our
educational system.
| But now Mr.. Ackerman comes up
in his true light. He has shown his
hand. There can no longer be any
doubt that his interests are more close
| ly allied with the book trust than with
the children Of Oregon and their
parents, whom the trust seeks to
| fleece.
He showed up in his true light in
his opposition to the DAILY bill, senate
bill No. 3, the intent of which is to
break down influence of the American
Book Company.and to systemic the
school laws of Oregon.
His opposition was not open and
above board, but was carefully en-
gineered so as to cover up the tracks
of the chief conspirators. He under
took to poison the minds of county
school superintendents, and interest
them to work through their representa-
tiyes in the Legislature against the
DAILY bill. His scheme was having its
effect, for legislators we're receiving
letters from superintendents all over
the state requesting them to oppose
the bill. This caused some wonder,
but light was thrown upon the dark
ness when the cause of the opposition
from superintendents was discovered.
IL was letter addressed to each CT
the several county supersntendents by
Ackerman; here is the letter:
estate of Oregon, Superintendent of
Public Instruction Office, Salem.
Jan. 1S. l899.-To County School
Superintendents: The educational
committee, to whom the DAILY bill was
referred, will in all obability report
it back, with the following amend.
ment: That the salaries of the sew.
eraI county superintendents be fixed
by the legislature, and that the fees
be abolished. Your salaries will be
fixed in the bill, andin all probability
the amount of your respective SAL
aries will be left to your respective
delegations. 1 thought it my duty to |
inform you of the committees actions,
in order that you might communicate
with your respective delegations,
should you desire to do 80.
81. b. AcKERMAN,
"Supt. Public Instruction.
"Circular letter No. g."
When confronted with copy of the
letter Ackerman explained that it was
only friendly letter to the superin-
sendents warning them of the interest
hey had In legislation; in short, that
heir salaries were about to be reduced.
His explanation brands itself with
he lie. The bill was introduced on
January, 10, his letter bears date Of
January 18, eight days later, and he
lad had ample time In which to care
ully examine every clause in it, and
iscover there was nothing therein
to salaries of county super
ntendents. And more, he knows, if 6
e knows anything at all, that the
onstitution provides that there shall u
Q no increase or reduction of au | Q
iicer's salary during his incumbency t
odlce. Therefore the only construc- +
On that csu be put upon issction u o