The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-10-18
SUPT. MARTIN rs MAD.
The Governor Appointed Member of
State Board of Education With
out Consulting the Superin-
tendent.

nOtlnCItl0n lllS lu0lHilS tHiG NoHCl-
nor Ansel had appointed Hayne F.
Rice of the Aiken bar to fill a vacancy
on the state board Of education, Su-
perintendent Martin sent the COVER
nor two page typewriter letter de-
nouncing him in most sarcastic terms
for making The appointment without
consulting him, and notifying him
that on account of his policy he will
not offer for reelection as a state
superintendent.
Mr.. Martins Letter.
The letter from Mr.. Martin to the
Governor is as follows:
Department Of Education,
Columbia, S. c., Oct. 49,. 1907.
Hon. M. f. Ansel, Governor, Co.
lumbia, S. C.-Dcar Sir: Your letter
notifying me Of the appointment of
Mr.. II. f. Rice, Of the Aiken bar, rs
a member, Of the state board Of edu-
cation was promptly received. So
you have succeeded in appointing a
lawyer and also in not consulting the
officer who is responsible to the peo-
pie for the conduct Of the education
al affairs Of the state. I wish that it
were possible for me to think Of
your action in this whole matter 9TH
cr than as small-minded, oflicious and
pernicious. I prefer to think of the
governor of my state as libcral-mind-
ed, potential and statesmanly.
I note that you say that Mr.. Rice
has taken an interest in school mat
ters. Likewise many Of our school
men have taken an interest in law,
but it does not follow that they
should be put upon the Supreme
Bench. They are hardly competent
to examine applicants for admission
to the bar and to discharge the num-
erous complicated, but technical, du-
ties of the supreme court.
To take a charitable view Of the
situation, 7 believe you utterly fail
to grasp the duties Of a member of
the state board Of education. Some
time ago. when you made your sec
ond appointment of lawyer on this
board I characterized your action
with such language as seemed, at that
time, appropriate. J. applied the mus
tard plaster, which afterwards SEEM
ed rather pungent. The conclusion
is now bearing down upon me that
You are furnishin" Il concrete cxcm-
plification Of the characterization
above referred to. The appointee,
whom I shall designate as Lawyer
No. 2, happened to be too broad-gaug-
ed man to accept an appointment
in department whose head had been
ignored. Appointec Lawyer No. 3,
"Prof.' Rice, of. the Aiken bar, may
be of similar calibre, but if I am to
believe the report given to the press
concerning his appointment 7 should
say that he is at least ambiguous,
amphibious, ambidextrous, ubiqui-
tous and indcterminate. These char
actcriStics may appeal to You.
40 S'h 'Cihaf'S Nllo", Spu udFC
next year the appointment Of the re-
manning members of the state board
Of education, with the exception Of
the secretary, who holds the position
eX-otlicio rs state superintendent of
education, and | have the supreme
satisfaction Of knowing that I do not
have to sit with them nor be bound
by their actions. 7 wish to give you
the pleasure of knowing here and now
that | shall not be a member Of that
board any longer than is necessary
for me to discharge my duty and OBJ
legations to the people Of South Car
olina. For two terms have been
elected state superintendent Of rdu-
cation without opposition. T have
discharged my duties fearlcssly and
vigorously. | feel the satisfaction Of
having done some good for my pco-
pie. shall not ask for recollection.
I mention this in order that you may
indulge and cherish the fond hope Of
getting a satellite Of your own ilk. I
am somewhat in the position Of thc
old negro woman who went into
dry goods store and asked for three
yards Of red ribbon. The clerk was
very bow-lcggcd. Ie started across
the store and said: "Walk this