The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-08-29
Mr.. E. r. PLACE RESIGNS.
"iNELlGIBLE," DAYS ATTORNEY
GENERAR OSBORNE.


New Principal Elected Only in June
Superintendent of the D. D. & Blind
Institution--His IneligibiIity is Based
on the Fact That He Never Had Any
Experience Among the Deaf and
Dumb.
Mr.. Frederick Place late of New York
but more recently Superintendent of
the Raleigh Institution for the Deaf
Dumb and Blind, has handed in his
resignation to the Board of Trustees
and it has been accepted.
The whole correspondence which APP
pears below is the sequel of the Attor-
ney Generals Interpretation of Chap
ter $50 of the Laws of 1889 which treats
of the qualifications of the principal of
the Deaf Dumb and Blind Institution.
The act says: "And he shall have
experience as a teacher in the Deaf,
Dumb and Blind Institution of North
Carolina, or some similar institution
for the term of two or more years"
Mr.. Place is one of the most COM
petent instructors of the blind in this
country, but he has had no experience
in the instruction of the deaf and
dumb. 1t is true that the white deaf
and dumb pupils have been separated
from the blind pupils recently, and
that Mr.. Place would not come in con-
tact with them, yet the law remains
on the statute books, andu besides the
colored Deaf, Dumb and Blind Institu-
ton, which is also under his superin-
tendency, contains many deaf mutes.
Yesterday afternoon his EXcellency,
Governor Carr transmitted to the
Board of Trustees, in meeting, a letter
from Acknowledgement Osborne giving
the opinion that under this statute,
Mr.. Place was ineligible for the posi-
ton.
Mr.. Place was seen last night 10y Il
News and Observer reporter, and while
feeling to some extent the hardship
which he thinks he has suffered in hav-
s,ing given up another place to accept
this one, he yet believes it would be
bad for the discipline of the Institu-
r ton TO do otherwise than he has done
Moreover, Mr.. Place says that the
Board thought, taking all things to-
gether, his resignation was the wisest
thing.
His Excellency Governor Carr, also.
was seen last night by a News and
Observer reporter, and said that there
was nothing for him to say outside of
the facts as stated above; that he had
in the whole matter acted only in his
official capacity in carrying out the
plain provisions as interpreted by the
Attorney-General of the State
Raleigh, y. c., Aug. 2s., 1896.
TIC the Board of Managers of the In
stitution for the Blind, Deaf and
Dumb, Raleigh, n. c.
conference.-the | respectful
ly tender my resignation as Superin-
tendent of the North Carolina State
Institution for the Deaf, Dumb and
Blind, to which you kindly elected me
June Sth, 1896, to take effect at once
| desire to add that / accepted said
position in good faith, not having fully
examined the existing Statute law, to
which the Attorney-General refers in
rendering his official opinion that
am ineligible.
after having my attention called to
the law | believed that | was eligible,
and ] am still of the same opinion. |
further believe that the Attorney-Gen-
eral has based his opinion upon evil
dence that would not be accepted i'm
any court of justice, but as it is his
opinion, | bow to the majesty of the
law, and return to you the trust YOU
placed in my hands. Although
might, through the courts, prove con
clusively my eligibility, yet / am un-
willing to do so because / know that
such a step would not be for the best
interests of your school and the blind,
whose highest welfare / have sincerely
at heart.
My interest in the education and the
amelioration of the condition of these
unfortunate people will continue un-
abated, and ] shall always remember
your kindness and stand ready at any
time, wherever in this broad world
duty calls me- to render any assistancel
An. my power to give.
NTH best wishes for the success of
your school, and UNDERSTANDINGS of
utmost regard, / remain
.~,.~ Very sincerely yours,
FREDERICK PLACE.
BY THE BOARD OF MANAGERS.