The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1907-08-07

-|A.|ZI SJ 'f's A~Sh Jcot oLtl-
n very keenly. / shall not
rhesit3te to speak frankly in rdgard to
! this matter.
Sincerely yours,
o. B. Martin,
State Supt. of Education.
MIR. MARTINS PROTEST.
The statement referred to is as fol-
lows:
Il regard the appointment as polit-
cal rather than educational. While I
have an exalted opinion of the APP
pointee, | believe this position was ten
dered him because of former associa-
ton in politics and because of his DO
litical prominence.
"The law says the State board of
education shall constitute an advisory
body with whom the State superinten-
dent of education shall have the right
TO consult when he is in doubt as to his
official duty. There are other statutes
which made the duties and relations of
this board very close to the State SUI
perintendent of education. The law
gives the governor the power of APP
pointment, but | think that common
decency and courtesy demand that the
State superintendent of education be
consulted. At least several very dis
tinguished governors, including that
delightful and considerable gentleman
who adorned that office during the past
-four years, have taken this view. |
know that this is the view held by a
very large majority of the educators of
this State.
"In the second district l did not ever
know that the name of the distinguish
ed ex-governor was being considered
for the S~SSition until after the position
was rendered him. refuse to believe
that it was ever intended that the gov
ernor should be a political and paternal
Santa Claus to tender surprise appoint
ments to a child-like State superinten-
dent. This same chief executive made
a similar surprise appointment in the
sixth district and L. concurred
in the result because | realize the ne
cessity of having M excellent lawyer
IN the board.
"In the name of the schools of South
Carolina | insist that an educational
board shall consist Of educators. What
would be said if teachers should be put
on the pharmaceutical board or the
State board of medical examiners? Or
why not let teachers conduct bar exam
inations? There has been a decided
disposition in the South recently to put
educators in educational Offices. Every
Southern State superintendent of edu-
cation has had experience in teaching.
A few years ago this was not true:
States that have political boards of ed
ucation are passing laws requiring that
experienced school men shall constitute
the membership of State boards of ed
u~cation. Bills to that effect ere now
pending in the Georgia legislature.
They have had a board of State officers.
"Ghe State board of education pre-
p1res all questions for1eachers' exami-
NATIONS, makes out courses of study,
.eNanines reading circle papers, selects
books for teachers and childrens and
h performs other duties more or less pro-
Assional.
Fhy a man who is really looking
%fticial efficiency and service to the
does not want people who have
ted their lives to that line of work
kJore than can see. 1t looks to me
an appointment upon %perfunctory
siation and patronizing politics.
I am(speaking plainly iii regard to
this matter because it is a luxury so to
speak; and because 1 am convinced
that educational progress may be Sc
riously handicapped by pubernatorial
o~btuseness, stupidity anu selfish Doliti-
cal persistency."
THE GOVERNORS IDEA.
Gov. Ansel when asked about the
matter yesterday had nothing to say in
reply to the letter except that he con-
~eideFed Gov. Sheppard a good man and
that his idea was to appoint another
layman who could assist the board in
reaching decisions from a legal stand
point. He said that he had no idea of
giving offense and in the appointment
hadt best interests of tho State at
heart.
Gov. Sheppard has been in public
life for many years and the position
was rendered him by Gov. Anel several
days ago. The latter was out of the
city Monday, but returned yesterday
lwherFth IN statement from Nh. Martin
ya$ gwen out. 1t was the, cause of
Considerable comment at the State cap
FOL when it became known.
The singular part of this controversy
etween the governor and the State
lperintendent of education is that
icy, were both elected from Greenville
y. Gen. j. Q. Boyd, adjutant
- and Maj. Jno. H, Earle, rail
~sioner, are also from
happy family
Rsted itself,
sar some
- AncaIl