The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-02
$50 80 g ~ - - y "a -
Meeting OF the County School Board.

h. OF THE STATE i'0AkD OF PUBlllC EDUCA-
4 TIoN IN THE APPOINTMENT or THE
COUNTY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT.
No event that has transpircd in Augusta
county for a long time has enlisted such
general public attention, and excited such
universal comment rs the recent appoint
ment OF County School Superintendent by
the State Board OF Education. The matter
has been the subject of discussion among all
classes Of our county citizens, and Governor
Holidays defiance of precedent and disre-
gard of the expressed wishes OF those most
deeply interested, have been openly and Bit
terly condemned, even by those who enter
tain for the new appointee the warmest
personal friendship. No bl anne seems to be
attached to Mr.. Gratsan, except for the rea-
son that he has been the opponent OF the
Free School System, which he denies; but
towards the Governor a feeling exists which
has found expression in tn. severest and
most emphatic denunciation OF his action.
The subject has found its way into the pub
lie prints, and each OF the late city papers
has contained communications. which to say
the least, are not complimentary to the Ex
ecutiyc. 10 one of them Mr.. Grattan has
replied.
In reference to this matter, called meet
ing Of the County Board of School Trustees
was neld in the Court House last Tuesday.
There were present thirteen Of the eighteen
members. They were Dr. r. s. Hamilton,
President; Samuel C. Wilson, Secretary
and Messrs. NJ. r. Coalter A. S. Turk, E.
A. Fulcher, DR.. w. II. Davis, VIM. With
row, Ii. II. Hamilton, Fred. T.. Fntz, DR..
Dunlap, 7. S. Hogshead, W. A. Hanger and
Il. P. Wilson.
In explaining the object OF the meeting
Dr. Hamilton stated that at the meeting pre-
viously held the members present had unan-
imously endorsed Mr. NJ. w. Quarles for the
position of Superintendent of the county
schools. The official proceedings OF the
Board were forwarded to the State Board Of
Education, and to The surprise OF all, the
gentleman recommended was not appointed.
This result had created great deal OF feel
ing and the matter had gotten into the pa
pers and caused considerable excitement.
In view OF this. he hadbeen urged to call
meeting OF the county Board-in fact had
received such notice as compelled him to.
This body did not claim to have the ap-
pointing power, but it had been specially re-
| quested to make recommendation and had
complied. 1t was certainly supp osed that
| its wishes in the pr emiees wonld be respect.
ed, but since such had not been the the case,
be urged graceful yielding to the powers
that be. The superintendcnt.elect is not
responsible and cannot be blamed for the ac-
ton OF the Board of Education, md it would
| not be proper to take any action Indicating
| the refusal OF this body to cooperate with
| him. 1t could do no good and would en-
barrass the officer in the discharge OF his
duty.
Alr. Fulcher stated that at the last meet
ing Of the Board he had voted for Mr.. Quar-
les because he regarded him as the best man
for the place. One of his most esteemed
neighbors, and several OF his own personal
friends, had been candidates for the office,
and although Mr.. Quarles was stranger to
him, he had given him the preference, for the
reason that he believed him best qualified
for the position. The Office OF School Trus-
tee was a thankless one. The members of
the Board gave their time and means gratu-
itously, because OF their desire to see the sys-
TEN succeed. They had made sacrifices !
time and again, and have shown their devo-
ton to the schools by the most uncontestible |
evidences. They are the recognized friends |
and supporters OF the system, and as such |
were urged to recommend a person as Su-
perintendent. The applicants for the posi-
spective merits considered. By unanlmou
consent the choice fell upon Dir. Quarles,
and this action OF the County Board was
communicated to the State Boart, OF Educa-
ton. In violation of all precedent, the Gov
ernor and Gen'l Fields (for it was enerally
understood that the Superintendent of Pub.
lie Instruction endorsed the county recon-
mendation), disresarded the wishes OF those
most interested and, BE- implication at least,
administered an undeser we'd rebuke to the
County Board. The only action that this
latter body could now take would be to re-
sign In body. For Mr.. Grattan personal.
ly, he entertained the kindest feeling. but
he had heard that he (Mr. G. WAS an enemy
to the schools. lie did not know what the
other members of the Board would do, but
for his part he proposed to tender his reslg-
nation.
Mr.. Withrow moved that Il committee be
appointed to prepare business for the meet
ng.
Mr.. Hogshead desired to know whether
the State Board had actually requested
recommendation from the County Board.
DR.. Hamilton replied that the request had
been made directly upon several occasions,
but that the Board of Education did not
feel itself bound to act according to the rec
ommendation OF the County Board.
lie then stated that for some reason the
same relation did not exist between the
County Board and Superintendent rs be.
tween the City Board and Superintendent
and that the State Board does not UNDER
take to exercise the same control in the lat
ter case as in the former.
In response to Mr.. Fuleher Dr. Hamiltoni
deprecated the action suggested by that gem
tlemal. The resignation OF the present
Board OF Trustees wonld be most disastrous,
and would initiate against the very OBJ.
ject they are held so dear-tha growth and
prosperity OF the schools.
In accordance with Mr.. Wttrow's resolu.
ton, the following committee was then ap- j,
pointed: Messrs. Withrow, Davis, Turk,
Fultz, Ifogshead and Hanger, one from each
district :
After retirement, the Committee through
its chairman, MFR. Withrow, returned and
reported the following resolutions, which
were adopted with but one dissenting voice,
Mr.. Turk voting ':no: -
The Committee appointed by the Augusta
County School Board to report TO the meeting
now in session on grievances resulting from the
action of the State Board in the exercise OF the .
appointing power, beg leave to offer the follow I
ing: l
ist. That the prosperity OF the Public Schools
is primarily based on the harmonious working of
the system, especially i'll the mutual confidence r