The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-20
DIR. RITTER's STATEMENT.
He Gives His Side of School Superinten-
dent Election in Currituck
Moyock, N. c., Aug, /, 1899.

dent Election in Currituck.
Moyock, n. c., Aug. /, 1899.
Editor News and Observer:
Dear Sir: My attention has just been
called to an article in your paper from
the pen of the Hon. G. I'll. Mebane,
which, although no doubt quoted from
reports, does me a great injustice, and |
will thank you to kindly give me space
in YOUR columns in which to out myself
in true light before the public.
Mr.. Mebane, violating rule Of ethics.
rushes into print with one side of qucs-
tion. and places honorable men, where
they are personally unknown, IN Il false
position. The reports in his possession
and from which he quotes are from a
defeated candidate, and | regret to say
are very much biased Mr.. Mebane ask
cd me for a statement of the matter,
and / replied that she would get a true
account from another source, that the
tone of his letter precluded me answer
ing him myself, as / inferred that he
was prejudiced, and statement from
the chairman of the school board would
have more weight with him."
The report to Mr.. Mebane is that
after Mr.. Ansell had been elected as
county superintendent in the morning
and the meeting having adjourned, Mr..
Bell, Summerell and myself got together,
changed the proceedings, and elected
myself SUPERINTENDENT. | ann unable to
hatter myself to this extent, that i
could cause the gentlemen, who in the
morning elected Mr.. Ansell, in the even
ing to Dust him and place me in the posi-
ton The facts IN the case, cursorily
stated. are as follows. Mr.. Bell and
myself We're led to believe by Messrs.
BoWden and Summerell, up to the morn
ing of the nomination, that | was the
preference of the board, and they wish
ed me to be sure to be present rs they
would elect me to succeed myself. but
Mr. Summerell was made to believe that
/ was in a position that prohibited my
visiting the schools, and this being an
important duty of the county superinten-
dent, he gave Mr.. Bowden his support
for Mr.. Ansell, and he was elected in the
morning session with the belief that |
could not visit the schools. After Mr..
AnSelfs election / addressed the board,
and thanked the gentlemen for courtesy
and support while county snperinten-
dent, and said, however, that had they
have asked me, or not been so precipi-
tate in their nomination and election, |
would have told them that | had resign
ed my position at Moyock and would
therefore be at leisure to visit the schools
when required, but was glad that they
had made so suitable a choice of my
successor"
Mr.. Summerell Immediately arose, and,
addressing the chair and myself. said:
'tWell, / wish / had known of this be-
fore; you are my preference, and had
not been made to believe that you could
not visit the schools / would not have
supported Mr.. Bowden's nomination Of
Mr.. Ansell'' After transacting some
routine business the motion to adjourn
was put, and / hurriedly tas secretary
wrote the closing clause of the meeting,
but Mr.. Bell, the chairman, says mo, we
will not adjourn yet, take an intermis-
sion," and | then ran my pen through
that part relating to closing and we
Went to dinner. G state the latter rela-
tive to writing the closing. as upon this
the gentlemen OF the other side have
made an error, and the minutes will
corroborate me-
During the inteImiSsion i was asked
by both Mr. Bell and Mr.. Summerell,
and nearly every citizen present, would
accept the position If the mornings
work was rescinded and reelected? /
refused, telling them that they had
chosen a capable man, and let it re-
main so. But the request grew so nu-
merous and persistent, that not wishing
10 appear fcolishly stubborn, | acques-
ced. provided Mr.. Smpmerell voluntarily
withdrew his support to Mr.. Ansell, and
really preferred that | should fill the