The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1901-01-02
TEXTBOOK COMMISSION
WILL SOON BE NAMED
Letters From a Senator VINO
Voted for the Law
Sound Sentiments from 9
Portland Business Man
and Former Director.

Governor Gear will probably name 'he
Oregon Textbook Commission IN a le"
days--at least before the legislature con-
yenes. lie is mistaken IN his declsion
10 give the people highclass conalnls'
sion in which businessmen will predon'
mate. and will accompany each appoint
uent with personal letter asking the
appointee 10 make personal sacrihce
and serve the people in this most I'M
portant relation to public educa'Ion'
The Governor will try TO name COM
migsion that will give the people sud-
slaptial reductions in the cost OF scho)'
books and at same time improve their
orality. which IL easily possible. There
will probably be- one or two well KNOWN
promlnont and progressive educators
named.
senator j. n. williamson writes TO
Tnr JouRxAL: ~ am glad t1 see your
esnocial interest m the textbook matter
Some one haa 10 make sleciali,y OIL
/ sncb matters in order 10 bring best
,eeplts. The responsibility resting upon
the Goyernor Il indeed great, and there.
I in iiee the real objection tO the law
| ~ ali In the hands Of one man.
Tnr Jounvu would only add that tie
DAILY bIll Wholesome reaction against
the old method oi selection, under which
no one was 10 be held responsible II
may not work perfectly, but II will be
more satisfactory 10 the people TO know
where 30 loik for protection.
Hon. J. A. strowbridge, prominent
bnsiness man oi Portland, who has
served on the school board Of that city,
writes THR JOunNAL as follows.
"In attempting 10 express my opinion
unon 40 important subject 10 the people
| III Oregon. AZ embodied in the DAILY Bill
| feel soinewbBt timid in doing 30.
| al will say however, in my opinion
our public schools are the largest and
| best public institution, which Taxpayers
are called upon 20 support, their WORK
and interests are iar reaching. When
we consider the great number ol
children who attend public schools OF
Oregon, and The great amount ol money
required 10 maintain them ] viii most
emphatically say that the Textbook Com
| mlsslon 10 be appointed by his Excel
| lency Governor Geer early In January
| 1901. to fully carry ont the provisions OF
| the DAILY Bnl. should be- composed Ol
gentlemen Of recognized ability and good
record possessing good business qualiii.
catlons, and who will act and protect,
with honesty nj purpose, oil the interests
Of Our public schools, patrons, pupils,
teachers and taxpayors. The Textbook
| Commission should also be gentlemen,
| who will devote sufficient time 10 this
most important work, and who viii
! leave nothing undone In the Interests ol
our public schools oi Oregon.
"Having known Governor Geer Tor
many years ! have every confidence Ia
believe that he will appoint commission
who will honestly and faithfully carry
out the provisions Of the Daly Bill
l. Hockett, Of Woodburn, writes Tue
JouRNAL;
"You have been writing great dca!
about the text hook commission and
seem 10 think that II all depends ON get
Ting the right kind OF men on that
commission. n they are going 10 pur-
chase their books Of private company
can't seo ~ II would make any differ.
ence. They will bleed the people just
the same, Tor they will all consolidate
and thore IL but one remedy and that IL
for the state 90 print its own books. The
mere matter OF books costs ua more
than our school houses and teachers
aud everything combined 90 run our
public schools. II the state printed IL
own books that would keep some private
| company from making fortune of OF
the people and that would bo anarchy. '