The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1899-01-04
REPLIES TO GRAND JURY.
COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION RE.
SENTS CRITICISM OF THAT BODY.
Some Resolutions With Ginger In Them
The Boards Defense of Its Action
in Selecting Text Books.

The county board of education was in
session yesterday, and besides transact
ing its usual business passed the TO How
ing resolutions:
Whereas, the presentments of the last
grand jury contained certain structures
on this the county board of education
which unJustly reflects on its adminis>
tration, and
Whereas, the law specifically states
that it is the duty of the grand jury at
each spring term of court to make an
examination of it's records in the Office
of the county school commissioner, and
to embody in their presentments the
result of such an investigation, and
Whereas, on examination of the rec>
ords We find that such an examination
| by grand jury at the fall term of court
is unprecedented, with the exception of
1893, at which time an investigation was
attempted, but the committee from the
| grand jury soon discovered 6heir mistake
and adm tied that they could make only
! partial land therefore incomplete res
port. Therefore be it resolved,
1st. That we believe this investiga~
ton by the grand jury at the fall term
of court was prompted by those pOssess>
ed OF spirit Of prejudice against the
board of educati n in behalf of some in>
di vidual or individuals.
| 2nG. That we are quite sure that no
money ever expended by the board has
accomplished, and will continue t. ac-
cOmplish, more material good to the best
interest of the schools of this county
than the $26.50 spent in the selection of
text books, since those books were Sc
lected and recommended by committee
of gentlemen-than whom none
stand higher as educators in the
state, being educators Of teachers, and of
whose instruction any teacher in the
county, with perhaps one exception,
would deem it privilege to avail him
self. Furthermore, the books thus
recommended for adoption by these
"foreign parties" necessitated fewer
changes in text books than had already
been recommended by the committee of
county teachers, thereby saving to the
patrons OF schools money Tar 10 excess
OF the small sum about which our grand
jury shows such jealous care.
Sd. That we feel fully competent to be
our own judges of parliamentary law.
Certainly it would have never occurred
to us to appeal to grand jury, and par
ticularly this ono, as expert parliamen>
tarians. To US the mere suggestion of a
grand jury presuming to pose in such a
capacity seems ludicrous.
4th. That we heartily indOrse the las
clause of this report which EXCLUDES
the committee from any blame in this
transaction" since il is a matter in
which the committee could Lave no au-
thority, the Law having made it excu-
sively the duty of the board to assume
such responsibility. The Com" not
being member of that bodg, has no
authority in shaping school affairs only
as delegated 10 Linn by the board. Hence
we have recognized and assumed both
the authority and responsibility OF the
school administration, and while vie re-
greet the criticism and censule thus I'm,
Justly placed upon US, nevertheless we
make our politest bow to this august
body for the commentator contained
In the presentmeLts; and while our eff
forts have been crowned to some extent
with success, we hope ere long to have
in Terrell county system of schools as
we'll equipped and in all respects equa
TO any equity school system in the state
This done, we will feel that we have
performed our duty and accomplished
a good work, and it Will matter but