The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-08-27

Sureu ME CnaI IL was pleasure to serve
me because they considered a great out
rage was being practiced on me in seeking
to withhold my salary for said fees.
/ AS Acknowledgement Blair was hurried
off on the cars to fill an appointment, we
babe him goodbye and separated.
ARE SCHOOL BOARDS DESIGNED FOE
MERE POLITICAL MACHINES ?-On Sat
urday last, the city School Board, consist
ing of Messrs. T. A. Bledsoe, J. M. Car
roll, |. Witt, FL. E. Summerson, w
Wholey and J. B. Woodward, after vari
GUS meetings held for the purpose, finally
elected two male teachers for the schools
OF Staunton. The first was Mr.. T. P
1'helps, OF Roanoke, who succeeds Mr., J,
/. Hutchens as the male teacher at the
old Institute building. Mr.. Hutcheps
was candidate for reelection. He had
faithfully and efficiently discharged the
duties OF the position. The parents whose
children had attended his classes were
more than pleased with their progress and
the children themselves were fond of him,
He was popular with his fellow teachers
and received the highest recommendation
OF the city superintendent, who heartily
and cordially endorsed his application for
reelection. In the recent sessions of the
Peabody Normal Institute held in this
city, Mr.. Hutchens actively participated,
and at the close of the Institute received
the first certificate awarded to thirty of
the best teachers in attendance. Against
ms character in any particular not one
single word could be said. He was a quiet
unobtruslve citizen, member of the
baptlst church, and withal gentlemen
! Who by education, disposition and taste.
was peculiarly qualified for the position
ne held The only objection urged against
MIN by the majority of the Board was that
he was Republican, and that was sin
enough to outweigh every other consider
alton. Not that he was an active Repub-
lican, but simply because he chose to OK
erclse his right as man and vote as he
pleased. He never ob5ruded his opinions
uponsothers, and the Board would perhaps
nave never known what his political SEN
timents were, had he not been interro-
gated ON the subject by a member of the
Board. When called up last fall and
asked the question how he intended to
vote, he promptly replied that he was
Republican and proposed to support that
ticket, From that day he was doomed.
When the question of reelection came up
IN June last, the sole charge made against
MI. Hutchens was, as stated, that he was q
Republican. MeSsrS. Jos. 3. Woodward
and VIM. Wholey, both Democratic mem
oers OF the Board, declared that they could
not recognize any such objection as valid.
Mr.. Hutehens had been q faithful, eff
clent, and acceptable teacher and with his
political sentiments the Board had nothing
TODD. The remaining members, however,
thought otherwise. They seem to have
been unable to appreciate the fact they
were selected to look after the interests
OF the schools, and not to promote party
ends. After various meetings, and when
it was ascertained that party feeling would
override every consideration of Justice,
the Superintendent recommended Mr.
Phelps, in The event the Board ,oouM not
''e-elect Mr.. Hntchens, and when it came to
a vote on Saturday last, Mr., Wholey, see
ing that Hutchens could not possibly sue
coed, voted with the majority, Mr.. Wood
ward alone voting for Hutchens.
For the position held last year by Mr..
Lincoln and for which he was not an ap-
plicant, two candidates. were placed in
nomination, Mr.. Fisher of Appomattox,
who was recommended by Mr.. Bowles.
and Mr.. Richard May, who had not GER
tifcaJe from the Superintendent. Mr..
May was elected, all of the members vot-
ing for him except Messrs. Woodward and
| Bledsoe, who supported Mr.. Fisher.
The defeat of Mr.. Hutchens was an ex-
hibition Of partisanism-run-mad which
reflects no credit upon the parties who
accomplished it. We had hoped that the
schools at least would escape the blight
ing influence of ring rule, to which every
other interest of the city appears to be
subordinate, and he effects of which are
operating to the material disadvantage
thereof. 1t is time that those who are in
terested in the growth and prosperity of
StauntOn should rise as one man and put
down this fell spirit of party. It will
damage any community in the eyes of
sensible people of all parties. When it is
advertised to the world that man must
submit himself body and soul to the ring
managers before he is allowed to occupy
public position, it is time the people
were taking matters into their own hands
and asserting their authority.