Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-01-03
CHARLES GRATTAN.
REPLY OF ]. M. oUARLEs.

REPL4 Ot u. M QUARLES.
In your issue of the Goth uItino appeared an ar
ticle written by me, signed observer intended
to give all the facts in my possession attending
the recent appointment OF County Superinten-
dentof Schools, which article I was induced to
write upon reading the following paragraph in
the Spectator of the oath ultimo:
THE impression has gotten abroad that Mr..
M. w Quar,es had been recommended by the
County Board of Trustees for this position. 1t is
there were present only seven ont of the eighteen
members. and majority OF them DID recommend
Mr. Quares "
AS any one must perceive. the attempt was
made in this paragraph to convey the impression
that only majority OF the seven members pres
ent recommended M. w. Quarles. when, in fact
as has been repeatedly stated in the discussions
of this subject, and by the Spectator itself in pre-
vious ISIS ne, the seven unanimously recommended
him. The election was oyer. Mr.. Grattan had
been elected, NJ. w. Quarles defeated and could
not conceive the object OF such statement at
that time, making false impression against M.
w QnarIes. unless it was to Justify the action OF
the State Boar d of Education in the insult given
by that Board to thu school officers OF the county
for which Governor Holiday is chiefly RESPONSE
BILE In Justice to NJ. w. Quares and exercising
facts Of this case before the public and condemned
the course of Governor Ho liday as public Off
car Surely because am resident of the city of
Staunton cannot be deprived of this right
Developments subsequent to the publishing of
my article have sustained all the averments
therein contained. and Mr. Grattan in his address
to the County School Board, although adroitly
pretending to deny them, has most notably failed
to do Ill the first place he says the statement
that the appointment was delayed by the Govern.
or at his request is not true He denies what
did not state, for in no part OF my article he
accused of any improper conduct in this matter,
and had no other motive in view in writing the
piece than to set NJ w. Quarles right.before the
pubiic. and in doing SO Stated nothing aid not
believe to be true and am not able to sustain.
This is my statement: that Governor Holiday in
formed Mr.; Grattan that it necessary for him
to have the endorsement Of some of the county
school officers, after the had been closed
with the testimonials OF all the candidates before
the Board of Education, and that the appointment
was deferred, thereby giving M. Grattan time to
procure the required testimonials AS Mr.. Graf
tan seems not to have understood what meant
perhaps ought to have been more explicit and
sad that me GoVernor at ms sow own instance,
no other candidate-tell ng him what was neces-
sary TO secure the appointment. After Mr. Graf
tan received the letter spoken of, l know there
delay and if he did not apply to any of the
school Board to endorse him, it might have been
because he had previously applied to them I'M
successfully or because he was info rmed that
thev had endorsed another man. This was after
Mai. Hanger left for Richmond. AS to the ap
pointee's predecessors having been citizens of
stanton, it must be remembered that during the
Superintendeney of Mai Hotchkiss and j. E. GUY
Esq, the town and county composed school
jurisdiction that the county and town We're
made separate and distinct school Jurisdictions
about the time Of the election of DR.. s. Ham
ilton, who had no opponent and was strongly en-
dorsed by his predecessor and members of the
Mr. Grattan's reply to the statement that he is a
recognized opponent to the free school system is
answer the unqualified charge that he is an oppo-
nent to the free school system. am content the
public shall note the language OF his reply and
say whether it is a denial or au evaSon-until he
denies will say no more on this point
All the facts pertaining to this matter We're be-
fore Governor Holiday when he made the ap-
pontment, and repeat, there is not the slightest
excuse for his conduct. Mr. Grattan's attempt to
exculpate him from favortism and to Justify him
in his insult to the intelligence o. the County
School Board. is a signal failure.
1 cannot refrain from abiding to the man
ner in which Mr. G attain obtained my name
the author of the article signed observer" and
the made of it.
1t is well understood and strictly observed rule
with editors never to give the name of tn e author
of an article unless demanded, and a rigidy OBJ
served custom of controversaliSts through the
public press never to demand unles it is the in
fention of him who demands to take the matter
in controversy out of the papers and to hold the
author to personal account.
Having the kindest feelings for Mr.. Grattan.
particularly abstained from saying anything
offensive TO him in the article mentioned, but he
demanded the name of the author, and having
obtained it, seems to be able to couscientiously
think that with perfect nropriety and becoming
manliness he could use it in a cont mutation ofthe
controversy. Respectfully,
J. NJ. QUARLES.