Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1897-05-29
1a.tsr From Senator LsCato.

MIR. EDTToR:-I am informed that
IN effort is being made, both IN Ac'
colnac and Northampton, to connect
me with the present contest in acco
mae for the appointment OF schoo
superintendent. Doubtless there may
he few persons in both counties IN
clined to accept such an impression
from a motive less honest than that
of ignorance. But I have respect
enough for representative public
opinion, and confidence enough in
The intelligence and fairness OF the
Eastern Shore people to believe that
!. simple statement of my position
will be quite sufficient for my vindl-
cation. l wish to assure my friends
that am taking no part whatever IN
the contest for the appointment re
ferrad to, and that l have used no
ioiluence, official or personal, in be-
Nnlf of either candidate. Between
Mr.. Joynes' family and myself there
has existed for several years warm
degree of personal friendship. DR..
Mapp is my brother-in law. When
this embarrassing canvass was
brought to my attention. l assured
hoth gentlemen that my attitude
towards them should be that of
strict and consistent neutrality; and
10th have expressed themselves as
entirely satisfied with my course.
This course, it seems to me, should be
equally satisfactory to the public,
aud will be, to all fair-minded people,
But it is further adroitly urged
that. while all this may be true, it Is
quite impossible for me, as u State
Senator and a family connection OF
one OF the candidates, to escape the
responsibility of determining the APP
pointment. Such an assumption,
while unfair and unjust to me, in
wolves public ignorance of the situa-
ton, and Willingness to impeach
the official integrity of the ap-
pointing board. The law pro :
vides that county superintendent
shall be appointed by a board COM
posed of the Governor, the Attorney
General and the Superintendent of
Public Instruction. This board is
rot only invested with the sole power
of appointment, but is responsible
for the official conduct of the ap-
noiutee, and even for his removal
for cause. Ii rather 81 grave i'm
reachment of these high State Of
f..ials to assume that they are in any
vay likely to subordinate their sense
OF official duty and of public pro-
rriety to the domination OF State
Senator in no way accountable for
their action. 1t is true, these ap-
continents are subject to Senatorial
confirmation; but neither an indi-
yidual Senator, nor the whole body
of the Senate, can dictate the ap-
pointment of a school superintendent.
This fact has been actually demon
st.rated on more than one occasion;
botably, in the case OF Mr. Kent
Murray, appointed superintendent
for Norfolk in 1898, and who was ap-
pointed and ultimately confirmed, in
spite of the vigorous and persistent
opposition of the Senator from that
district; and, also, in the case of the
present superintendent of that city,
aopointed over Major Geo. w. Taylor.
That the present incumbent In
Accomac has held the Office for over
two terms, and is a candidate for re-
appointment, is matter for which
| am in no wise responsible. He was
serving his present term when went
to the Senate, having received his
appointment before / was even noml-
mated for my position. 1t has hap
pened that l have never signed an
endorsement for him, official or per-
sonal; and consequently he is under
10 obligation to me, in any sense.
4 he attempt, therefore, to connect
with the canvass between him
Z MI Mr.. Joyncs is a simple attempt
to impose upon the public with u
pretext. as unfair to the public as it
is to me.
1 see from the State press that the
appointment of school superintend-
ents will be made on and after June
1st. have no doubt the Board will
be pleased to have the claims OF all
applicants brought fully before it;
and the friends of the respective can
didates can then be heard on their
merits before the proper tribunal. /
am sure the contestants will be prop
erly and ably represented, and l fail
to see why l am to be held in any
way accountable for the result.
Very respectfully,
GEO. w. LECATo.