What should it be? The mechanic who invented a labor-saving device or
machine, the artist whose painting had displayed extraordinary merit,
the sculptor whose genius had chiseled in marble some living thought,
the self-sacrifice of some hero in a moment of peril, all these merited
reward, and our Association had dealt and knew how to deal with these.
But here the work had not been of moment so much because of its
allurement of wealth as its supreme value as an educator. The
Legislative Council considered that she was entitled to five years’
release from duty as a member of the Industrial Army, and so awarded.
She was entitled to this time at once and continuously, if she so
notified her department chief, Mr. Edmunds, or she could give notice
that she would take a portion of the time between certain dates. As a
matter of fact, she chose two years’ release and leave of absence
commencing January 1st, 1907, and the remainder of her time later in her
twenty-five years’ term of service.
Having discovered the power which my department could wield, not only in
Idaho, but in the world, I determined to exercise it to the fullest
extent. Linotypes, electroplates and all the devices for saving labor
were unsparingly employed.
I determined to put a Co-opolitan edition of all standard works of all
spheres or departments, literary, scientific, religious and political,
on the American market in every great city.
I began with Shakespeare. I caused an elegant edition of that immortal
poet’s work to be gotten up in excellent style, and sold for about
two-thirds what it would cost any other house in the United States to
produce. I increased my plant and followed the edition of Shakespeare in
quick succession and at similarly reduced prices, with editions of all
the standard English authors.
In three years’ time I had Co-opolitan book stores established in
Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Buffalo,
Cincinnati, Chicago, St. Louis, St. Paul, Minneapolis, Omaha, Atlanta,
New Orleans, Galveston, Denver, San Francisco, Portland and Seattle. The
competitive publishing houses could not compete with our system and
house after house fell before us or limited their business. I also
established correspondents all through the world and had the latest news
sent to the Co-opolitan newspaper.
My arrangements were such, in conjunction with the Brotherhood and
Co-operative stores now springing up everywhere, that I had a Daily
Co-opolitan issued in every one of the cities named, and the news was
flashed to them daily, as it was to Co-opolis. I endeavored to have each
Daily Co-opolitan in the hands of the national Brotherhood and each was
issued on the plan of the great daily which was sent from Co-opolis to
all parts of Idaho. The national Brotherhood was daily increasing in
numbers and power.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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