The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-11-21
THE.TIMEs: .RICHMOND7VA..TH THURSDAY. ]

that did not elect superintendent by the.
people. The superintendent of Scott.
county was nothing but a political ring
ster and ballot-box. suffer.
Al the last election, when ballots we're
opened at two precincts they were ! ou ~ ~
TO be nothing but pieces OF the congress
sional records cut up and tied together
like ballots. The Superintendent or
Schools Of my county is said to be at che
bottom OF all this political clllainS. we
wish 10 abolish the officer. II not ,''e
Office. in Scott county.
He then commented son the assertion
that the people were whimsical !" iiaen'
he said, had been made on the MOOT ;
The people might have been "i II Fp
when they elected delegates to TINS con-
vention, but they learned lesson ='iie''
that they will not forget.
IN TWENTY-FIVE STATES.
He said county superintendent were
apnointed by the board of district trus-
tees in eight States. and twenty-five
States elected them by the people.
This is also done i'll Nebraska the nome
of William Jennings Bryan, and II II IS
wrong YOU know that eminent states
man would have corrected it long ago,
urged the speaker.
Now there is a. list of twenty-five
whimsical States where the county schooi
superintendent: arc elected by the peo-
pie he exclaimed.
The speaker said the people formerly
had the power of electinS their own OIL
ficers and that was taken away from
them by the Underwood Convention.
composed of foreigners. aliens and for
mer slaves. He plead earnestly for
~. 1, 1ll lo1- or,I
said. he had no idea but that the negro
the convention. He was earnest in his
plea that each county should be allowed
to ma age its own school affairs.
MR.. AYERS DEFENDS HIM.
In reply to a question from Judge
PortIock, Mr.. Richmond said if he was
not sure the convention would eliminate
the negro he would not insist on
county superintendent being elected by
The people, for fear it would result in a
negro superintendent in some counties
in the black belt
He raised a laugh by asking Judge
Portlock if he came from Norfolk coun
ty, and, if SO, was he Fusonist or
what.
Mr.. Ayers said he arose to refute the
statements made by his brotler-in-law
from Scott, in regard to the Superinten-
dent Of Schools of Scott county. He re-
cited the early and heroic struggles Of a
young man to procure an education and
said this young man had succeeded. He
was now at the head of the school sys-
TEN of Scott county. and to his zeal.
character and ability Scott county owed
it for having the best and most pro-
sressive school system in the whole
Southwest. He said the superintendent
was recognized as one OF the best in the
whole State. He was a true and tried
Democrat and took an active interest in
politics. and the charge that he was u
ballot-boN suffer was not based upon
facts. as the officer had no connection
officially with the elections of Scott coun-
ty. He paid a high tribute to the char
acter of Mr.. Smith and asked who would
have thought that an old Confederate
soldier would have, under the protection
OF seat In this convention, have made
such a charge against the fatherless son
Of one-armed Confederate comradc
Great applause.)
Mr.. Richmond replied BIT saying he had
made this charge all over Scott county
and sald he proposed TO bring the record
ana introduce it to the convention
\ DANGEROUS THING.
MI. Naddlll said if the county sunerin-
tendent was elected by the people it sim
ply meant dragging the schools of every
district and every city into politics.
lie said he was a patron of the free
schools, and as such he did not think it
best TO have school officials ma dc, a foot
bal! of politics or politicians
Judge Hancock spoke in opposition 70
the election of superintendent by the
people. He thought it was an office that
should be the peoples in a representa-
tive capacity as contemplated by the
committee. 1t was impossible TO say
what the electorate would be. and until
it was settled it would never do to take
the chances of having negro superinteno-
cnts Of schools.
a WARM RETORT.
Mr.. Glass here said that matter had
been decided and the committee had sig
niiied its desire to have suggestions as 10
a further change in 1t. but he asked
Judge Hancock to please not prejudice
the present question by discussing some
thing that is not before the convention.
Judge Hancock retorted by saying Mr..
Glass talked when he, pleased ana how
he pleased. and he proposed to do the
same as long as he wished to do so
Naughter.)
He then made long speech, Declaring
that the present school systcn was a
great deal better than members would
have people believe. and he should do ev-
erythlng in his power to destroy the State
board the Committee had attempted tc
have passed through the convention.
Mr.. Glass announced ihat the commit
tee accepted the substitute offered by Mr.
Barbour. The vote was then taken ant
the substitute was adopted-yeas. 50
noes L.
The substitute is as follows:
First. II NAV in .ji,,il.