Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-12-31
For tbs SPECTATOR.
A Communication.
To the Gentlemen comprising the Cou,a-
tn School Board Of augusta county !:

To the Gentlemen comprising the Cou,a-
ty School Board Of augusta county:
A piece has appeared in the Valley
Virgiaion newspaper signed "Observ-
err" This communication, you wGlld
naturally suppose, came from some gem
tleman from the county, and who was
much interested in school matters. /
was surprised to hear that it was writ
ten by kir. +. NJ Quarles, resident of
the city Of Staunton, and having as lit
tie personal interest in school matters
as man possibly could have. Men do
not write for the papers without an OBJ
iect I have examined this piece in
vain to find any good purpose it was
intended to subserve, to himself, to any
one else, or to the cause of Education
It's effect can be only to sow dissension
between yourselves and myself, and to
avoid this I have determined to notice
its publication only so far as [ think
! the ends of good feeling will be subserv-
ed, and to correct some errors which do
great injustice to the State Board of Ed
ucation.
Many Of you, gentlemen, are person
ally known to me; to such, / am sure,
I need not, say could not and would
not accept of an office to which / be-
lievsd had not been fairly and legally
elected; to such of you as do not know
me, beg you will suspend opinion until
personal acquaintance shall have given
you the opportunity to Judge.
Shortly after learned that DIR. Ham
iIton had been appointed City Superin.
tendent, and that the city would de-
manG the whole of his time, I told him
I would be an applicant for the position
of County Superintendent. I under
stood from him then, and have always
since understood, that I had his en-
dorsement; but after other candidates
had announced themselves, also person
al friends of his and well qualified to
fill the place, he declined to make any
preference, but, in conversation with
the State superintendent, mentioned
several gentlemen, myself among the
It was only after found [ vas not to
have the endorsement of the late Sd
perintendent, over and above my com
petitors, that made any effort to pros
cure other testimonials. T then wrote to
our State Senator, stating that as the con
firmation OF the appointee, whoever he
might be, would be passed upon by the
Senate, that if he could conscientiousIy
give me an endorsement | should be
obliged to him for it, that the Board
might know that If they appointed me
l should be confirmed III reply, he
sent me very aattering letter to the
Board, which was forwarded with my
other testimonials.
My idea was that the Board would be
much influenced by recommendations
coming from those actually with the
teaching harness on. With this view I
applied for and procured number of
letters from teachers of prominence that
/ knew, in our sehoois and colleges of
best repute. These, with fsw letters
from persons in private walks of life,
and an excellent letter from member
of your Board, comprised my testimo-
malls.
The statement that the appointment
was delayed by the Governor at my re-
quest, and in order to enable me to pro
cure the endorsement OF members of
your Board, is not true. Nor did I ap-
ply to single member of your Board
after the delay was accomplished, rs
you very well know. The delay was
occasioned by a request from the Hon.
Marshall Hanger to the Governor, the
President of the Board, to delay the ap-
pointment until the delegates got to
Richmond. Mr.. Hanger did not make
the request at my instance or with my
knowledge, and was working then, and
continued all the time working, for an
other candidate. 1t is charged that the
Governor, influenced by person friend
ship, promised me the place. While T,
am happy to believe that the Governor
does entertain for me feelings Of friend
ship, and while l know that / have the
kindest feeling for him, the acouaint-
ance that enables me so to speak enables
me to say that he is the last man to let
private friendship interfere with public
duty; bes;des, the charge implies the
same degree of tarpitude in the Attor
ney General. TO all who know these
two gentlemen, / deem it useless to
deny the charge. For the benefit of those
who do not know them I do deny it.
am objected to as not being O resi-
dent of the county, bnt of the city
Surely this is frivolous aad merely in
tended to appeal to local prejudice, since
if | had been of thu county. to be read
lily accessible to all must have become
of the city. OF the four County Super
intendents we have had, all have been
from the city. It is objected to me that
am not teacher and vill not give NV
whole time to this matter. NV testi. |
monials revealed the fact to the Board |
that had had some experience in teach |
ing-1 suppose more than any of the