The Columbus journal., 1905-10-25

taxpayers Of Platte county without regard to party, can be depended
upon to protect their pocket books. All that we ask is a dipasionate
and careful reading of the evidence.
The cases of Leavy and Lusinski will be taken up first as the Jour.
have been denied.
The Columbus Journal of October II, said in part:
county. Within the last three years he gave the e teachers he .s'. re-
cepion at the beginning Of the institute, treating them to ice
Of fact he ,a asss~a"'k footed q %S ,Ss = bill 1 isr which ~ Ies : = s %st sss
eM his wa n q G srea at I shs yn sG,es. n ~o mex ye "a .: t. a e x sse : It'll tin
At the close of the institute Leavy said ohm in substance: 81
You sign this receipt for SIS and a' ri il pay H' you $50" And nd"t the
deal was made.
full reading Of his denial dicloses the fact that he does not specifically
deny that he over paid the instructor and received back enough to pay
for the reception outofhis Gown private bank account Leavys denial
follows:
Il brand as unquali6edly false every charge made against me.
dn PAID %.f for IL, faet ti ice s1s%% nt GU, of Of my my own x, private bank account
Here is the Journals evidence, contained in a letter. written by Prof.
c. r. Atkinson of Sheridan, Wyoming, under date Of August IL. 1905.
Prof Atkinson related the same facts to Prof Fulmer of Pawnee City.
his fellow instructor at the time: Il am willing to wear only to the
facts, which IN Is follows:
When the financial settlement came, l noticed that M v check was
$1,000 possibly $500 larger than l had expected and my heart
gave a joyful thump as two other County superintendent had given
me moret than my agreement called fI, saying that my work had
pleased them and that the fund was in better shape than they had
anticipated. But Mr., Leavy explained to me that the expense Of
the reception given the evening before vi charged into this ac-
count, saying that it was a legitimate expense and would merely
look better on the books if charged to instructions
STATE OF NEBRASKA SIS
D. M. Newman being first duly sworn deposes and saws that the fore
going is a true and exact extract from letter under date of August
18th. written by C. R. Atkinson. Superintendent of Schools of sheri-
dan, Wyoming, and relating to the payment to him of salary for ser.
vices as Institute instructor by Superintendent L. H. Leavy.
DIN. NEWMAN,
Sec. Rep. Com. Platte county.
Subscribed and sworn to before m e this Goth day of Oct, 1905.
Justice of the Peace.
Either MI: Ieavy or Mr.. Atkinson is mistaken. 1T up to them and
the taxpayers of Platte county.
The Journal also said:
"supt; Leavy is an agent of the "book trust" recommending
only the trusts books for use in the schools Of Platte county.
If supt Leavy is not getting "rake off" will he explain why
only the trusts books?
it only in general by saying that "every charge in the Journal is abo-
lutely false" Hi" statement that other book companies than the Amer
Book Company sell books in Platte county is not to the point. Under
Nebraskas text book law, which is one of the best in the United States
school boards ire vested with authority to buy books. As a rule they
buy the books recommended by the county superintendent, but in some
cases they are slow to change old books for new, hence Supt. Leavy
could easily find isolated examples where other companies re still
furnishing books. But it must be noted that the Journal simply charged
that supt. Ieavy recommends" only the books of the American Book
Company: Nor does the Journal charge that supt. Leavy gets a rake
off" 1t simply asked him to explain why he recommends only the books
of one company if he is not getting a rake off"
Here is the evidence. It is an extract from a circular letter issued
from supt. Leavys office under date of Nov. q, 1908 and addressed to
ITO Teachers and School Boards" A copy of the letter was handed to
us by r. P. Drake of Humphrey. Every teacher and school director in
Platte county probably received a copy. The circular reads in part as
follows
ply to many questions, have decided to recommend %"%r" ." list ia ' Of
books, which We think will prove satisfactory.
Iii not expected that radical changes will be made but as new
books are needed they may be ordered from this list.
The books may be ordered through local dealers, who will at
tend promptly to orders. Where not convenient, they NAV he
ordered direct from the publishers, The American Book
Company. Chicago, Ill, who are reliable and will courteously
answer all Inquiries: In cae you find We can be of any service
to you, don't hesitate to write to u.s.
Yours for better books,
L. H. LEAvY,
County Superintendent.
By offering evidence that Platte county school boards buy books Of
other companies, Mr.. Leavy proves simply that all the boards do not
follow his Recommendations"
Lest the Journal may do the American Book Company or Mr. Ieavv
an Injustice, its should be said that the American Book Companv bss
many good books and that the list recommended by Mr.. Leavy is a good
list. 1t is just as safe to tie up to the American Book Company alone As
to CHM & Co, or D. C. Heath Il Co, alone.
MI. Leavys letter over his own signature proves his agency for the
American Book Company. The letter ofC. r. Atkinson, if spoke the
truth, proves that the taxpayers Of Platte county paid for L. H. Ieavys
reception to his teachers for which he claimed the credit.
AS TO LUSIENSKI.
Its not unusual to see slight mistake in a biography and the Jour.
nal was getting ready to correct any mistatement it might have made
about Ed. Lnsienski, republican candidate for county clerk and to rive
prouer Acknowledgement to the democratic committee for pointino~ out