The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-12-26
fFor til e VALLEY vIRGINIAN.]
Gcv. Holiday and the County School
SUPERINTENDENT.

Upon the resignation OF DR.. r. 8. Hamilton az
County superintendent OF Schools. it became ne
tiou. The appointing OF County Superinten.
dent OF schools has heretofore been considered
ana e @ s9aTd the
OF the County School Board has been usually
sought after and relied upon as the safest and
best guide to judicious selection. In tn is case.
according to the custom OF DR. Ruffner, the
county School Board was requested to recon-
at called meeting the Board unanimously elected
and recommended NJ. W. Quarles ESQ. OF
Waynesboro The . members Of the Board d. not Of
two or three, united in the recommendation OF
the Board. Four OF the five Supervisors present
cred the claims of all the candidates. Senator
Koiner, Delegate Van Lear and nIl OF the old
County Superintendents. besides o.n 1s gentle
mended NJ. w. Quarles Many II not all OF the
numerous candidates were competent In scholar
ship and doubtless had catering testimonials
but what desire to call particular attention to,
is the fact that the county people almost unanl-
mousIy asked for the appointment of o county
man. in. every respect Competent, to county
office. which the Board OF Education arbitrarily
refused.
Education 1 understand that DR.. Ruffnef, as
was the habit OF the Old Boards Of Education. re-
School Board, and favored the appointment 81
Mr.. Quarles. Bnt what reason had Coy. HoLi-
day and Field for the Will OF Shs
it favoritism Or what could 1t have been
that caused these sworn officers to nave
acted the part of autocrats In contemptu-
ously disregarding the county recommends
~ With gI the endorsemenf Of bnt one County
School Trustee? am persuaded that testimo-
malls had nothing to do with this appointment;;@
candidates were known, that Mr.. Grattan should
have the appointment, upon the ground. as IN.
yielded to the wishes OF the Governor. When
the testimonials OF all Of the candidates had been
forwarded to the board OF Eaucatlon: s mo INC
suit of the election. Gov. Holiday informed Mr.
Grattan that it was necessary for him to be en-
and deferred the cleo ton, without any notice to
the other candidates, for nearly twciweeksthsre.
m ny but am told Mr.. failed to get tho
endorsements reguihed, and GOV; Holiday, a ac
polsteEeS it may be, BY one Of our Representa-
tives, had his faverite and friend appointed
The Augusta County School Board. composed
sacrificing in the discharge Of their duties and
ve e public
it such treatment at the hands OF Gov. Holiday.
+ 4 BE see IT. ssa
by the Board OF Education that the Stanton
School Board has ever been; whose recon-
gentleman recommended by the County Board
been an opponent OF the Public Free School
System, wanting in practical knowledge OF school
matters and unacceptable to the people of the
county for any reason, I could see some excuse
for appointing another man. but not for the ap-
enumerated are to be found in the appointee.
Mr.. Quarles is teacher by, profession, OF exper.
fence running through years. in the direct line OF
promotion and intended bestowing his entire
time in the discharge Of the duties Of the office.
Mr.. Grattan is q citizen Of Staunton. lawyer BY
profession, recognized opponent to the Public
Schools and lacking in that practical experience
qulsite to good Superintendent. His time will
be divided between his professional duties and
his duties to the schools, and which will neceSsar-
Dr. Ruffne r, in his circular sent to the school
Trustees, in order to aid them in recommend
ing q At man for the office. among the Quaii6.
cations which he declared Indispensable, well
says:
s. "He ought to be sincere and genuine friend
OF onr Public School System and one who would
be likely to feel strong interest Ia his work.
I. "His avosation should be such as to give
office which for their proper discharge really
need the entire time Of the Superintendent. He
not only has to supervise every school DO ard.
the Gourt Of Appeals and the general referee in
all matters pertaining to the system.
8. have reserved to the last point on which
desire to lay stress. The Superintendent ought
to be practically v ers ed in school matters. He
really occupies the relation Of principal to all the
schools of the county, and should feel as much at
hoTe in the school house as in his own family
constantly engaged in improving his teachers pro.
fessionally Hence. he must have beena teacher
himself;and good oneI In some cases 1t maybe best
owing to W ant OF suitable candidates to dis
pense with this Qualification, but It is unfortu-
nate for the county whenit has to be so.''
There Is not the slightest excuse for the Gov
e. Sss
Governor acted in such total disregard Of his du-
ty and committed such an outrage.upon the rights
of the people. OBSERVER.