Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1898-04-16
A scnool trustee Aud His Reward.

Accomac, to act as trustee in Atlantic
| District, but circumstances over
which had no control prevented NE
from accepting the position. Some
years thereafter | was again asked by
Mr.. Weaver to take this position and
though unremunerative and thank.
less as it was, l complied with the
request, hoping my feeble efforts
might be beneficial in some degree
to the success OF the effort, then COM
paratively in its infancy. From that
time until the present | have labored
for the success of the system, and al
though l may not claim as large a
share in securing the marked pros
perity of the free schools in our dis
trict as some others of the District
Board, yet | can claim an humble
effort in securing tine gratifying
success attained. On the 4th of April,
1898, appointments were made in all
che districts of the county to fill va.
cancies caused by expiration OF terms
of office and resignation OF former
trustees. Three were reappointed and
two were not; one of the latter be-
cause of the resignation Of Metomp-
kin trustee and l, las published in the
ENTERPRISE of daIe April 9th, 1885,
because of term of office expired. ,
Term of Office expired" could not
have been the motive in this trans
action or all would have been turned
down also. Now, Mr.. Editor, it is not
because of the loss of the desirable
office that l object, but because OF
the manner by which was laid
aside, kicked out after twenty years
or more of faithful, gratuitous ser
vice. Is there a gentleman in the
county of Accomac or in the State OF
Virginia who would be inseusible to
such audacious discourtesy? 1t may
he said that others lover whom | have
no superior claims) have been subject
ed to similar treatment. This would
indeed be a feeble excuse, but was
there ever removal except from
cause known to the removed, politi-
cal or otherwise? The vigilance of
the superintendent of schools may
have discovered evidence unknown
to me, although his face has been
Tut rarely, if ever, seen in this Sec
tion since his last appointment. Has
there been any lack of harmony OF
action in our district board? emphat-
ically no. Is there any rupture with
teacher or patrons OF the schools? If
so | haye no knowledge thereof. II
none of these things enter into the
the motive for the action taken
where can it be? If anything or any
reason, should it be covered up with
the expression term of office expir-
ed?n MY relations with Judge Ross
have been more than cordial My
differences with Mr.. Gunter, direct,
and indirect. have been honorable.
and l supposed were SO regarded
by both of us. l know that /
did not accede to the request
of DR.. Mapp, five years ago,
to retire from the field as candidate
for The superintendent Of schools in
Z ccomac, urging that he would like
10 have the position one more term
| know that l did not endorse him as
the proper person for superintendent
of schools, in his last contest with
Mr.. Joynes, although specially solicit
ted by letter. l know that IN the
County School Beard l did not favor
an appropriation of about one hun
bred dollars out of the free school
funds to meet his travelling expenses;
an appropriation unknown to his
predecessor. When DR.. Mapp made
appeals to the several district boards
for this same appropriation and wrote
me urging my influence in his behalf
before our district board, l did lay
his letter before the board, yet they
refused to add this amount to salary,
in their judgment, far more than
adequate for the service rendered and
l politely Informed him Of the fact.
But surely these things could Lot
have been the motive of action,
in nv case, in a superintendent of
schools for the county OF Accomac
The School Trustee Electoral Board
has my profound thanks for the
relief which they have given me from
the cares and duties of an office l
never sought or desired, and which L
would have long since gladly laid
down, if my sincere desire for the
prosperity of the schools could have
been eliminated, and had l not been
prevailed upon, by my associate
trustees, to continue therein. The
slightest lntimation from the higher
powers would have ST cured my reslg-
nation. Be it understood, trustees in
Acconac present and prospective,are
hereafter subject to the high preroga-
tive of this appointing body, without
consultation, notification, charge,
or specification eff this be treason,
make the most Of it''. Mr.. Editor, |
beg pardon for this affection upon
you and your readers concerning a
matter so trivial in itself, but justice
TO myself and friends impelled me
thereto.
Respectfully.
Jos. E. BRoDwATER
Meeting of Board of Fisheries.