Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1898-09-15
south PITTSBURG
DEPARTMENT.
c. B. WOODEN, Editor.
The School Directors APP
pointed.

Az tho August election three new
school commissioners we're elected for
tho Deptford school, namely A. j, Nc
Campbell, S W. Jacoway, and C, b.
Woodfn. The returns were either lost
or stolen. probably the latter At any
rate thoy did not show up when the
election commissioners met at Jasper TO
canvass tho return for the county and
in order to settle the matter without a
new election it was suggested by j.
Bright one of the election commission
ers that the three men who were elect |
cd be appointed by Mr.. Tate, the coun-
ty superintendent. This was agreed to
after Mr.. Bright had assured them that
all three would be appointed, that ne
had talked with Mr. Tate, and all would |
be we'll if they we're willing to have the
matter thus settled So all decided |
this would be the best way to settle
their election and trusted to the honor
Of Messrs. Bright and Tate to see they
wore all duly appointed at once.
But, alas! no appointments wero made
until last Saturday, when only two of
the mcn-Jacoway and McCampbell--
we're appointed. A. J. Willis was APP
pointed to serve in Woodffn's place.
Tate's failure to appoint all three of the
men, as WAS the understanding, has
caused much unfavorable comment and
dissatisfaction and the appointment Of
/ Willis, who has no more right to serve
/ than some man iu Santiago, is regarded
as a very unjust act upon the part of
! Mr.. Tate Woodfn was elected by the
people and was entitled to serve, while
Willis was not wanted for school com
missioner at all. His bitter republican
politics and his appointment Of negro
jurors rendered him Objectionable to
many, who mako no bones in expr, ssing
themselves, and for Dan Tate to set at
naught tho will of the people as ex-
pressed by popular. ballot and fost such
a man upon them has simply aroused
public indignation and the fact that
Tate has done this without the slight
est authority has intensified the lldig-
nation
So far as we are individually concern
cd we do not care for Dan TaLes refus-
ing to appoint us, but where is the fair
minded, right-thinking man, who can
say he has done right-done his duty;
and where is the man who loves justice
and fair play that can say Willis has
acted right? We were duly elected by
the sovereign voters of the lower 18th
district and why Willis didn't want us
to serve is matter we want him to ex-
plain to his congregation the next time
he enters the pulpit TO preach.
AS to Tate's action, we do not believe
the county will endorse it but upon the
other hand we believe he is serving his
last term as county perintendent lie
no doubt dsregarded US and appointed
Willis bccau,e the latter has a voice in
the body that elects him, but that body
will not be apt TO elect him again. And
we would suggest to him, if he has au-
thority to appoint Willis, that he APP
point him for life, as it may be his last
opportunity to give him an Office. We
think the good of education in Marion
County demands a change in snperin-
} tendents. Things have come to pref
ty pass indeed when the superintendent
takes no cognizances Of the peoples
choice for commissioners and appoints
men the run to schools who are not the
choice OF tho patrons thereof. Under
such dictatorial rule and usurpation Of
authority, popular education in Marion
County will suffer and lag, Albeit the
prospect was never better for a good
school in Deptford, Competant teach
ers will b. selected and Messr. S McCamp-
bell and JacowaY will look closely after
it. We are tor fair play and honest con-
duct in the management of the schools
OF the county and will endorse no super
intendent or director whose action is so
reprehensible and deserving Of rebuke
as that Of the two gentlemen arranged
in this article. And remember that we
are responsible at all hours Of the day
or night for what we say.
Furthermore, the election commits
sioners Of Marion County should not al
low Tate to set aside the will of the peo-
pie. The election commissioners we're
appointed for the express purpose OF
preventing fraud and they should not
have eountenanced such action upon the
part Of Tate, but should have seen to IT
that he appointed all three of the gent
men elected. The misplaoing, stealing
or whatever you may call it, Of the
returns should have been thoroughly
investigated and the guilty party or
parties sent to the penitenuary. We
have some facts in regard 10 the matter
which VIC may publish and expose The
fraud as far as we are able.
C. b. WOODFIN.