The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1909-03-12
BARNES IN DEFENSE
WRITES A CAUSTIC LETTER; ONE
ELLIS is ROASTED BROWN.
Former Superintendent of Schools at
Lake Crystal Tells a Few Things;
Was an Applicant For the Position
at Winona; Reason for His Red
Hot Communication.

Professor c.. II. Barnes, Superinten-
dent of school at Wells, formerly in the
same capacity in Lake Crystal, and an
educator who is well -known through
out the state was an applicant for the
snperintendency of the Winona public
schools. 1t appears that agents for the
American Book company were interest
ing themselves in the election at Wi
mona, and the impression was created
that Mr.. Barnes was ute friendly to
that corporation.
letter sent to the NVinona board
by Professor Barnes, was read by Clerk
w. j. Whipple. In the communication.
Mr.. Barnes sets forth facts to show
concusively that he was not one of
the candidates favored by Ellis in the
recent campaign for the position of
superintendent of the Winona public
schools. His application was free
from the stain of the American Book
company, and, in fact, he was an out
he has had experience before.
The writer believes an injustice
has been done to an honorable body
of men and he gives it as his convic-
ton that Ellis simply fell in to sup
port the man who appeared to be the
most likely choice OF the board. He
however. commends the Winona board
for the stand they have taken in the
matter by giving the affair publicity
Letter From Mr.. Barnes.
The letter was read as follows:
Wells, Mimi, Feb %, l9O9--To the
Honorable Board Of Education, Winona
MINI.
Gentlemen: Word has reached me
from two or three different sources that
was one of the candidates for whom
Agent Ellis, of the American Book Com
pany was working. If there is any truth
i'm this, it was entirely without my
knowledge or consent. There are peO-
pie in Winona who know that | tried
hard to keep away from all agents, ana
particularly Ellis. have hated him
since he worked to undermine Super
intendent Phillips OF Albert Lea, in his
absence, while | was there conducting
summer school. He knows that was
the one who informed Mr. Phillips OF
his tactics. The only time ! saw
him in Winona was when he posted him
self in the tailor shop under Mr.. DE
Cures gallery and intercepted me as
went to 90 up. excused myself
as quickly and decidedly as | could
telling him that | wanted to keep all
undue influence out of my campaign
and have it on Il high plane. | told
another agent of the American Book
company and two others of still an
other company with whom | could not
well escape an interview practically the
same thing.
Barnes Defends His Honor.
| am not writing this hoping to be
re considered. | do not care parti-
cularly for the position but | do care
Tor my honor. have worked IL
years to build up a clean record and
it is dscouraging to say the least
to be dragged into such a mess. | ad.
mire You for the stand you have tax
en- in trying to keep your schools free
from all book-company influences
but feel that in doing it you have
been unfair to true and gentle
manly set of candidates. Barring
myself, there are no more worthy
school men anywhere than those who
applied with you.
So far as my textbook record is
concerned, my list here and elsewhere
will show that | have recommended
the best books published. Withut
fear or favor. | have tried to bt
absolutely fair to all companies but
to cater to none. | am satisfied thai
any of the school men VIII know m,
land most of them dol and nearly al
of the bookmen will testify that
My opinion in regard to Ellis il
that lie found out which of the can
didates were in the lead and at
tempted to get on the band wagon
Hoping that you will locke mor'
deeply into this matter than thing
appear on the surface, and acgui
those of us whom you find innocent
and thanking you for the courteous
interviews You gave me in my can
vass, ! am merely yours, c. II. BAL,
INES.