The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-09
PLYMOUTH BOARD
Objects to Criticism by the
State Examiners.
Says Thy We're no, strenuous" ard Crt-
cis,d the Superintendent Nhcm Thy Only
Saw for twenty MINUTES.

To the Editor:-A copy of the official
report of the Board of Examiners for
state institutions has been forwarded
to us by the Superintendent of Public
Instruction, and is seen to contain refer
ence to the Colored Normal School here,
and recommendations concerning it, and
statements concerning this board of
Ecially that demand, in justice to US
ana to the future of the school, an expla-
uation from u.s.
We have no criticism to make of the
Board OF Examiners. We only have a
plain statement of facts to make in the
interests of truth. We neither know nor
care now 10 account for the report of
the board, as TO us and the school, but
mat it is strange and unusual and has
something Interior in it; will appear from
The fact that they seem to strain at an
insnuation of transportation of the
public funds, by this board by the use
Of the following language: I'VE re-
port that after strenuous effort, we were
unable TO find anyone who could give
us any idea of the disposition which has
facts are that the statement of the re-
ceipts and disbursements OF the board as
submitted by them on page 40, was for
Narded to them and received by them
TOUR days after they left here with
out the least effort on their part and
no unwilIingness or uncertainty about
the matter was ever expressed to them
by any of us. Ii the language above
h.,
statement was received, common justice,
to say nothing of the stronger demand
fer truth IN an official report; would
have demanded that they be erased.
Truth is. there was no strenuosity in any
effort they made here in anything. If
there had been the report would have
been very different
They called at the office of DR.. w. H.
Ward and asked to see the books He
was in The act Of leaving to attend an
emergency call. and the book was at his
House. He directed them to call at the
bank and ask the chairman of the board,
Clarence Latham, TO phone to his home
Cor tho book and go over it with them.
This they did. Latham phoned and re-
ceived the answer from DIR. Wards wife
that the book was locked in an iron
SuLc anu the hSy not thtn III IlSt ISdCIi'
Latham then said. 1--WE will forward it
to you at once" This was Thursday. On
Tuesday following the copy of the en-
tries of the book as reported by them
was in their hands by mail. This is
the extent of their 'strenuosity" of eff
fort. Besides how is the public, inter-
ested in the strenuosity Of their efforts,
TO get their report ii they got it in time
\
tanned clean clear record for this board?
Such a thing would only be appropriate
to motion for increase OF salary. There
seems to be some confusion in the re-
port they had printed by reason of the
last entry. Balance over payment" 1t
simply means that this item was cash
on hand in treasury of this board to the
credit of the State viz: 1881.
So much for the unwillingness Of the
board 20 show up its financial dealing with
the State and the extensive labors OF the
gentlemen of the higher board to divulge
il. 1t is stated that this board Does not
Girect" the Normal This is an incorrect
statement. Everything required to be
done in the interest of that school by us
has been done. We can't help nor pre-
vent the conditions of the student body,
as we are not their guardians, but we
do believe 1t is as good as at the other
Normals Of the State.
That we have employed an ''incompe-
tent or in any respect unfit" superin-
tendent is untrue. He is better known 10
Us than TO The Board Of Examiners They
only stayed in his presence twenty min
utos apl made no test or examination
of his fitness nor ability. We have known
him four years. His example and his
precert have been commended and COM
mendable without exception. The inter-
est Of the white people, of this commun-
ity. in the school is less than 1t is in
their own, but it justifies its retention
and warrants and indicates it's future
usefulness. 1t is much greater than be-
fore its present management.
(Signed) The Board of Trustees of the
Colored Normal. Plymouth y. c.
BY CLARENCE LATHAM. Ch'm'n.
Plymouth. n. c., Dec. l. 1902