The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1893-03-28
GEORGIA GEOLOGY
Figures in a Sensational Meeting OF the
Board-An Int eresting Session Held.

Figures in Sensational Meeting Of the
Board-An Interesting Session Held.
The state geological board with one
sweeping stroke with it's little Wednes-
day struck off the heads of all three of the
state biologists.
Dr. ]. w. Spencer, the chief geologist
stamps his feet with emphasis and says in
effect that he'll be pottsdam Sans If he
will resign the office which he has filled
well-known assistant geologist, has sent in
his resignation to the board. 1t is a brief
little wee bit of Il note and simply says he
resigns, nothing more.
Professor Anderson, the other assistant
geoogist. says he doesn't think that he de-
serves such treatment, but in compliance
with the instructions of the board. he
hands in his resignation with the one pro-
test.
When the resolution had been read and
agreed to by the members of the board,
Mr.. Sans, the secretary, was instructed
to write the following letter and send n
copy of it to each of the biologists, which
he did:
instructed by the state geological board,
through Governor Northen as chairman, to
advise you of the action Of the board at its
decided by the board that, owing to the
Want of harmony among the members Of the
state geological snryey-thc chief and the
p
nony has rendered inefficient the work of
surveying the state entrusted to them the
designations of the members of the survey
should be asked for ut once. I am instructed
further to ask that the chief geologist and
each Of the assistant biologists hand in their
designations at Il meeting OK the geological
board to be had at > o'clock this afternoon,
March 22d | have the honor to be, sir,
~ ~ sTANHopB SANS.
AS already stated the two assistants
rendly sent III their designations They were.
of course. surprised at the action of the
board, but there was nothing for them to
do they thought but send in 4 sample of their
handwriting.
Gee, What Kick
When the AK fell upon DR.. Spencers of
fetal head this is the way he squirmcd:
MIR. Stanhope Sans Secretary State Geo
logical Board-Dear Sir Your esteemed IA
the want OF harmony among the members
of the state geological survey-the chief and
the two assistant geoogists-whch want of
harmony has rendered inefficient the work OF
surveying the state entrusted to them. the
designations OF the members of the survey
should be asked for at once"
Because Of the want Of harmony men,
toned by you, and the consequent neticieno
of portion Of the work of the geological :.
pArtment, both Of which were the resu' Ala
appointing and sustaining unframed ~ ords
competent geological assistants, and Off, from
tent work | had already reported GNU
and handed to his excellency ii
my RESIGNATION IN which L gave ..
for wishing to withdraw from fTlngS
which was rendered relatively ineiior VIII,
the policy adopted by the board itsears 70
the hands of the governor December 4
1892. to be used by him If in his judgmen
the interest of the survey made it desirable
and l now decline TO send in my resignation
in compliance with the request of the board
made this morning. 1t may be proper to say
to demand my resignation. though | am aware
that the governor, the appointing power. has
the right to remove me for incompetency, in
efficiency or misconduct, That l am in
efficient, in that my work has been so, ex-
cept as result of the policy pursued by the
board in hamperng the survey by appoint
ing assistants known to it to be unified l
deny; that l am incompetent admits OF easy
disproval by 80 scientific men That l have
j. W, SPENCER.
AS to the Dethrohing Power.
Now that DR. Spencer raises the point
that the board had no right to put him out
of office, it is interesting to know just what
the law is on this point. The law establish
ing the department of geology says that the
geoogist has to be appointed by the governor
with the consent of the board. He shall
serve until removed by the board or the
department is abolished by the general as
semby. He can be removed for the three
causes, "inefhciency,. incompetency, mis-
conduct" The quarrels that have been GO
ing on from time to time between Dr.
spencer ana PROFESSOR w na1IcN are
cassed under the head of misconduct
1t is on this ground that the board claimed
the right to ask the resignation of the ge-
ologist.
DIR. Spencer is Out.
The boys of old used to say when a bird
can sing and won't sing. feed him on raw
eggs and make him sing
Such policy has been adopted by Gov
crnor Northen in securing the resigna ton
of DR.. J. w. Spencer. the state geoogst.
As was told in The Constitution of yes
terday, the state geological board demanded
the resignation of the chief geologist and
his assistants. The two assistants sent in
their papers promptly, but with a protest.
The chief did not resign and stated with
emphasis that he would not do it.
Mr.. Stanhope Sans, secretary of the
board. was sent to the Office of DR.. Spencer
yesterday afternoon and took the keys of the
office from him. Mr. Sans took charge of
the office, and if the state has geologist
now. that man is Stanhope Sans. He is the
head of the department. He has utter charge
of the affairs of the concern until new &C.
oogst is appointed by the board and is sent
to take up where Dr.. Spencer & Go. left off
so suddenly.
1T is the purpose of the board to take
steps at once looking 10 the securing of now
officers for the geological department. They
will most probably put an advertisement il
some of the scientific papers for such men,
and hope to get good biologists who will not
be all the time quarrcling like school chii
dren over this or that.
y