Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1907-03-22

Cdueo i Edu Ca p1CsSCO IL 0Sh ~ 49,
Alex Clohan as being opposed to the
adoption of Cyr's readers. L did not
oppose the adoption of the Cyr readers
five years ago, when they were first
ad opted in this county. | am very GER
tain that there is not oman who was
a member of the book board at that
time nor any other man, IN Berkeley
county, who has the least regard for
truth, that will say that expressed
myself as being opposed to the adoP-
ton of Cyr's readers five years ago. l
did oppose the adoption of Stickney's
readers ten years ago and they were
not adopted.
2 "That he stated to various agents,
including myself, and to citizens of
Berkeley county within the last two
months that he favored change OF
readers, and that his change of mind
did not occur until certain agent from
Pennsylvania paid him visit within
five days of the first meeting Of the
board on February 8.
When first began to considerthe
subject of selecting and adopting books
to be used in the schools of the county
for the next five years, this is the posi-
ton 1 took, before consulting any of
the patrons in regard to the matter
and so expressed myself. If we can Sc
cure books that are enough better in
every way, or good books that are
enough cheaper, to justify us in max
ing a change, am willing to make it..
But after carefully examining and
comparing the BOOKS and the prices
before me, l decided that l wanted but
few changes. L concluded that the
readers and spoilers, which are now in
use in our schools, must be very salts
factory and as there was but one man
in the county, Mr.. James Snyder, who
expressed himself in my presence as
being dissatisfied with Cyr's readers
which have been in use here more than
four years, l decided to vote for the re-
adoption of these readers. Now, in re-
gard to that great persuader from
Pennsylvania, Mr.. Weigle, who was
the local agent for CHM & Co. l will
say, l can prove that Mr.. Welgle came
to see me but once, and that was at
least two months before the first
meeting of the book board. Mr.. Will
moth, the state agent for CHM d Co.,
never came to see me.
3 "That when he made his state
ment to the book board cor corning me,
he urged the members to say nothing
about the matter and that when l
having heard of his charge, took him
to task at the noon recess of the board
he begged me to keep the matter
quiet"
After L had.stated Mr.. Wilkinson e
f1ers to the board, and after some
comment upon them, said, l am
willing to let this matter rest where 1t
is, and not let it be known outside ct
this room, ald several members said
they thought it was the best thing 10
do. did not urge any one to keep 1t
quiet. Why should do so? | had not
done anything that was wrong by re-
jecting his offers and reporting him 10
the board.
was not in position where L had
to beg Mr.. Wilkinson to keep the mat
ter quiet, he was the one that occupied
that position, but instead of begging
ne tried to bluff, and then l deter
mined to let the people know just
what had taken place.
"That | was before the board,
made statement to them that was
entirely satisfactory, the truth OF
which Mr.. Butts admitted in Their
presence, when L challenged him to
deny one word of it"
There is but little truth visible
in this statement. That he was before
the board is about all He did not make
statement or an explanation that
was entirely satisfactory. The people
have read his explanation. He did net
challenge, or ask me to deny that his
harangue of bosh was true. He did not
say one word to me except his retort,
sThrough the Dealers" when I said to
him, Mr.. Wilkinson, if you meant
that the people are to sharein this $3OO
benefit, which you offered, how or IN
what way do you intend 1t to reach
them? All that said to him, and near
ly all that he said in his explanation
before the board, appeared in my artl-
Gle Of the End inst.
5 This was answered in my last ar
ticle..
Henry S. Butte.
Member of the Book Board.
| Editor Graves Assaulted.