The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-07-12
A LAW SUIT IN PROSPECT
Rev. A. M. Croxton and Major L. d.
Andrews the Clalmats.
SUPERINTENDENT RECOGNIZES ANDREWS
The County Board OF Education Vas Two Chair.
men and the Third Man Controls the
Situation as Nj citing in
Court House.

SCuIl MOUSE.
Union county yesterday morning had
two men, each claiming to be the legal
County Superintendent of Public Instruc-
ton.
Yesterday afternoon State Superintend-
ent Toon Strengthened out the snarl and
recognized Major L. d. Andrews, of Mon
roe, as the legal officer in Union county.
The trouble in Union county with dual
superintendent was brought to a head
because of the examination of public
school teachers advertised to take place
today, the notice being given to the
teachers by Dr. AZ NJ. Croxton and Major
l.. ID. Andrews, both claiming to be county
superintendents
Here is how things got mixed in Union.
The County Board of Education consists
OF Messrs. A. w. Heath, F. B. Ashcraft
and j. w. Marsh. In April Messrs. Heath
and Ashcraft met and organized, Mr..
Marsh being absent It it stated that
neither member present took the oath
required by law, but at once elected Mr..
Ashcraft chairman.
Last Monday the board again met and
present and transacted routine business
without any reorganization. No superin-
tendent of schools was elected as Mr.
Ashcraft was in favor of DR.. A. NJ Crox-
ton, pastor of the Baptist church, and
the old superintendent while Mr.. Heath
was in favor of Major l.. D. Andrews.
Chairman Ashcraft adjourned the board
to meet again in October, but Mr.. Marsh
s a i, "a J,a1 o. Iaa
whom it was reported would not qualify
sent a telegram withdrawing his resigna
tion and qualified as a member of the
board. Mr. Heath gave notice to Mr.. f.
B. Ashcraft of a meeting on Tuesday, but
the latter gentleman di not attend, while
Mr.. Marsh cid. The meeting was held
in the corridor of the court house and
on motion of Mr.. Marsh. Mr.. Heath was
elected chairman and Major Andrews was
unanimously elected county superintend-
ent. Messrs. Marsh and Heath then adj
iourned.
Dr. Croxton, claiming to be the legal
superintendent, at once inserted in the
Monroe Journal an advertisement stating
that he was the "hold over" superintend-
ent by the action of the board and would
hold the examination of teachers on June
18th (today). Major Andrews likewise
notified the teachers in the same paper
that he was the duly elected superin-
tendent and would hold the examination.
both naming the court house as the place
OF meeting.
Immediately The friends of both these
gentlemen appealed to State Superintend
ent Toon, Mr.. James G. Covington.
leading citizen and former mayor of Mon
roo coming to Raleigh yesterday in be-
half of Major Andrews, while Mr.. r. l..
Stevens, Major Andrews attorney and
former member of the Legislature. wrote
to the superintendent, stating the case
for his client and saying that the action
of Mr.. Ashcraft twas to defeat the
wishes of majority of the board and
secure for the old incumbent in the office
five months longer service
For DR.. Croxton a letter was sent by
Mr.. r. +. Beasley, one of the publishers
of the Monroe Journal, stating that he
wrote it 'tat the request of Rev. Dr. A.
NJ. Croxton, Superintendent of Public In
struction of this county, and because he
was interested in the schools. He also
stated that DR.. Croxton wanted General
Toon to come to Monroe at once to set
tie the matter as his quick decision would
prevent law suit and the probable
disruption of the school work" Concern
ing the dispute he says, 'The motives it
is not necessary to go into" Mr.. Beas-
ley also enclosed clipping from his pa
per containing an account of the mat
ter.
There was another paper sent also.
1t was dated July 9th and was signed
"a. w. Heath, chairman, ]. w. Marsh,
member of County Board of Education"
and read thus: "You are hereby informed
that l.. d. Andrews was this day elected
County Superintendent of Public Schools
for the county of Union
General Toon, after Investigating the
matter, decided in favor of Major An
drews. He telegraphed to DR.. Croxton
this decision and also telegraphed Major
Andrews that he had received official no
tice CT his election, that as he was in
formed of the dispute about the holding
of examinations he directed him TO hold
the examinations as County Superintend-
ent, concluding by saving, Certificates
granted by you will be valid"
Whether DR.. Croxton will make con-
test today at the court house remains
to be SEEN 1t appears to be simply q
contest as to which man gets the posi-
ton, as no personal or official charges of
ineffciency is brought against either man.
DR.. Croxton is minister of the gospel
and Major Andrews is a practical teacher
with years of experience.