The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1907-08-09

u # Of Education Mar
Bts Sarcastic and
THE GOVERNOR
licsl santa Claus Bccausc Of

yIHad Not Been Consulted Sufficient
ay About the Matter--What Anscl
Says.
The announcement that Hon. John
G.. Sheppard would probably be ap-
pointed q member Of the State board
of education to fill the vacancy caus-
ed by the resignation of j. e. Boland
Of Blackville has caused a decidedly
caustic statement to be issued by
Mr.. O. B. Martin, the State superin-
tendent of education. Mr.. Martin
says he has nothing personal against
Gov. Sheppard except that he pro-
tests on the theory that all members
of the board should be educators.
Before issuing the statement Mr..
Martin sent the following letter to
Gov. Ansel:
Gov. M. f.. Ansel. Columbia, S. G..
Dear Sir: am informed that you
have offered the position on the State
board of education from the second
district to a lawyer and ex-governor.
If such be the case, ! wish to servo
notice that | expect to make q vigor-
III protest through the press. Su ch
action will seriously injure the work
of this department, as well as have a
depressing effect upon the schools
and educators Of this State. If | am
correct IS to the second district, this
will make two appointments on the
State board of education, and the
teaching profession has not been rec
ogniZed. | am sure that they will
feel your attitude to them very keen
iy. i shall not hesitate TO speak
frankly in regard to this matter.
Sincerely yours,
O. B. MARTIN,
State Supt. of Education.
The statement referred to is as
follows:
81 regard the appointment as
political rather than educational.
While | have an exalted opinion Of
the appointee. | believe this position
was rendered him because Of former
association in politics and because of
his political prominence.
The law says the State board of
education shall constitute an advi-
sorry body with whom the State
superintendent of education shall
have the right to consult when he is
in doubt as to his official duty. There
are other statutes which make the
duties and relations Of this board
very close to the State slpcrintcn-
dent of education. The law gives
the governor the power Of appoint
mcnt, but | think that common de-
cency and courtesy demand that the
State superintendent of education be
consulted. At least several very dis
tingulshed governors, including that
delightful and cOnsldcratc gentleman
who adorned that Office during the
past four years, have taken this view.
| know that this is the view held by
q very large majority Of the educa-
tors Of TINS State.
''In the second district | did not
eve know hat the name of the dis
ungulshed ex-governor was being
considered for the position until
after the position was rendered him.
refuse to believe that it was ever
intended that the governor should
bc a political and paternal Santa
Claus to. tender surprise appoint
ments to a child-like State superin-
tendent, This same chief executive
made a similar surprise appointment
in the sixth district and | concurred
in the result because | realized the
necessity Of having one excellent
lawyer on the board.
In the name Of the schools Of
South Carolina | insist that an edu-
cational board shall consist of educa-
tors. What would be said if teach
ers should be put on the pharmaccu-
tical board or the State board of
medical examiners? Or why not let
teachers conduct bar examinations?
There has been q decided disposition
in the South recently to put educa-
tors in educational offices. Every
Southern State superintendent of
education has had experience in
teaching. A few years ago this was
not true. States that have political
boards of education arc passing laws
rcqniring that experienced school
men shall constitute the membership
OF State boards of education. Bills
to that effect are now pending in the
Georgia legislature. They have had
a board of State officers.
"Thc State board of education
prepares all questions for teachers
examinations, makes out courses of
study, examines reading circle pa
pers, selects books for teachers and
children and performs other duties
more or less professional.
why a nan who is really looking
for official efficiency and service to
the schools does not want people who