Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1899-02-04
TEXTBOOK REFORM.
School Director Miller Of Portland
for the DAILY Bill.
Representative Cummings, Lifelong
Educator, Considers 1t the Most
Important Bill Of the Session.

Important Bill OF the Session.
G.. W. Miller, OF Portland, objects
strongly TO the report that he is part
Of the lobby against the DAILY textbook
bill. He Is here at the request OF
committee on an entirely different
matter. He is not friend Of the
American Book Co., but quite the re-
verse, having fought that company's
eXtortlOns, 10 his capacity Of school
director Ia Portland. and being there
fore especially Objectionable to that
highly benefcent corporation. He
says that he Is strongly 10 favor Of
the Daley textbook bill; considers 1t a
good blll,and greatly desires TO see IL
pass. The JOURNAL and all honest
sincere friends Of the public schools
will rejoice that Mr.. Miller thus de-
finitely takes his position on the right
side OF this question.
The JOURNAL IN proud to be per-
mltted 70 state that Representative
Cummings Uf Marion county, life
long school teacher and a gentleman
Of culture aud moral fibre is heartily
for The DAILY bill, and considers II al
together the most important meas
ure Uf this session. He says lie be-
lieves great majority of the house Of
representatives are for the bill But
Mr.. Cummings can do much to en-
tighten other members who haye not
had the practical experience at school
work that he has. The only danger
to the DAILY textbook reform bill lies
now in the possibility that agents aud
representatives OF the trust will de-
ceive members into voting against
the measure.
Interest 10 the DAILY text book re.
form bill Is undated. The LEGISLATOR.
who, without fully informing himself
on the question, votes tc defeat that
bill, or votes TO delay or amend IL,
which Is what the trust now wants,
need expect no kind treatment at the
hands Of the voters Of any party.
a legislator who votes against the .
DAILY Dill, knowing the present cOndi
tions as TO the public school text book
In Oregon and how they are brought
about, lays himself open 10 the charge
OF having sold himself TO a trust that
preys of Of the most sacred OF Amerl-
can institutlOns--the common schools. q
Oregon has for nearly twenty years
had one set or text books, all higher :
priced than in other states, and as
everyone knows who has examined
them, OF an inferior character, gener
ally speaking. This imposition on
The taxpayer Is forced on The state by
The present law which was enacted by
trust influences.
The argument will be made that =,
.he DAILY bill creates a text book com }
mission Of five mcn. 70 be appointed
~ The governor, But 10 is not CON- ~
mission that will grow in expense TO
he TAX payer, Once in six years text
looks are selected and that is often l.
nough, and for that each member
vii yet 500 and expenses.
IL viii be argued that the cor mis-.
ion can be bought That ls not GER =,
ain The kind OF men Governor Gee-
VII select will be men Of character
nd regulations at stake. Ia Mis-
Durl IL Is charged the textbook COM
ilssion was bought, but 10 Missouri
contract has been let for six years -
lat gives .he people isst-class up to- A
ate textbooks az one-Uhird less than n
regon pays.
The DAILY bill passed the Senate a.,
Ter full debate with "a votes out Of ali
iaVorlng the measure. All efforts as
amend the bill. so as % Tie the I'm
lnds OF the governor with college on,
esldents, county superintendeDts vii
anyone but his own choice on bls
10 responsibility were voted down. ""
The House should pass the hin "a a
stands The lobby OF the Ameri. ]
u BOOK Co that has heretofore ''S
hdied the legislature through the
''e and county superlntendents and
lulh not be permitted % kill the
! 10 the House. II this legislature 7
lpls textbook reform 10 will yo Hct
NE with the blessing Of the people
matter what its shortcomings ln
ler respects. ,