The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-05
sUPERISrnSDENr By PRIMARY.
The Duty OF the State Board Of Education
20 Appoint.

70 appoint.
ACCOMAC, VA, April &.-SpeciaL-A
Democratic mass-meeting, at the court
house on last Monday, decided 10 noni-
nate by a primary election. a Superinten-
dent of Public instruction for our county
OF Accomac. Against primary for this
purpose, it was argued that. one of the
candidates had made only the usual Inn
tied canvass for names to. and in sup
port OF his petition-as heretofore long
list of names was not regarded as essen
tial. so the petition was strongly and
thoroughly representative. IL was shown
that the other candidates had canvass
ed so closely, and continuously, that even
as far back as two months ago, the
statement was published that. his peti-
ton had reached the length of forty-hve
feet Allowing three names TO the inch.
this would have represented 1870 votes.
even at that time IL was urged that, to
suddenly carry all this and added back
ing into an unexpected primary, at this
late hour. would be taking most Unfair
advantage Of the other aspirant
But the main arguments urged against
this primary plan. were its Illegally, ana
its rehectiveness upon the State Board
OF Education. But the force OF these
latter arguments was destroyed and
rested by an unexpected statement from
the ieader-in-chief OF the primary move
ment. He Informed the meeting. that the
Hon. John T.. Massey, in a communca-
ton on this subject. had assured him
that. If necessary. the State Board
could defer rs appointment OF our county
supernter dent until after this primary
was held. In effect. as well as in appear
ance. this unqualified statement pat Mr..
Massey In the position of indorsing In adj
vance this movement FOR primary and
signihod his intention OF appointing its
nominee This left no ground for the OPP
posers of the primary to stand upon. A
number OF them left the meeting at this
point. without waiting for the vote 70 be
taken. Mr.. Massey's right 10 assume
such position IS being seriously ques-
toned This primary was not requested
BY either the State Board or the candi-
dates. II was not even agreed 10 by
both the candidates. And even in any
unsuitable case. where the Board itself
should order the sense Of the voters 10
be taken" does this mean the collective
vote of a political party. taken as such?
or does it mean. that all voters" ire
spective OF party shall express them
selves by a nOn-political ballot? Such
questions are more than local. They
contain the interest and involvement OF
every county I'm the State. Many now
think that MIR. Massey was misrepresent-
ga in this matter. and thus publicly
placed before the citizens OF Accomac in
"a wrong light. II is not supposed that
such serious misrepresentation was
made Intentionally. IL IL thought that
q hasty perusal OF the communication
led to the grave mistake-if mistake it
H..
When Hon. John T.. Massey. Superin-
tendent Of Public Instruction was shown
the above report, he wrote the following
reply:
RICHMOND. VA. May 3. 1891.
Having been shown a statement 10 the
effect that ] approved the submission Of
the selection OF a school superintendent
OF AccOmac county 10 a vote of the peo-
pie Of that county, l desire 20 say that
/ was written TO by a citizen OF that
county to know If the appointment OF
its superintendent. could not be postpon-
ed until the wishes OF its citizens could
be ascertained
Ny recollection OF my reply IS all
have 10 guide me, as / have no copy of
it.
According TO my recollection. replied
that the appointment could he deferred
II the candidates (meanlng both OF
them desired IL.
The law makes II the duty Of the State
Board Of Education TO appoint superin-
tendents.
To submit the appointment TO n primary
election would be practically. to transfer
the appointing powers to an irresponsl-
bic body unknown 10 the law.
Il