The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-08-07
ROAST FOR ANSEL.
MARTIN REFERS TO GOVERNOR
AS \ POLITICAL SANTA CLAUS.

State superintendent Feels That He
Had Not Been Consulted Sufficient
ly About the Matter of Making an
Appointment.
The announcement that Hon. John
C. Sheppard would probably be ap-
pointed a member Of the State board
of education to fill the vacancy caus-
ed by the resignation of J. E. Bo-
land Of Blackville has caused de-
cidedly caustic statement to be issued
by Mr.. 0. B. Martin, the State super
tendent Of education. Mr.. Martin
says that he has nothing personal
against Gov. Sheppard except that he
protests on the theory that all mem
bers Of the board should be educators.
Before issuing the statement Mr.. Mar
tin sent the following letter to Gov.
Ansel:
Gov. NJ. F. Ansel, Columbia, S. c.
4 L
have offered the position on the State
board of education from the second
district to a lawyer and an ex-goyern-
or. If such be the case, wish to
serve notice that I expect to make a
vigorous protest through the press.
Such action, will seriously injure the
work Of this department, as we'll as
have depressing effect upon the
schools and educators Of the State.
II 1 am correct as to the second dis
erict, this will make two appointments
on the Safe board Of education, and
the teaching profession has not been
recognized. I am sure that they will
feel your attitude to them very keen
fly. I shall not hesitate to speak
frankly in erardgO, ,lth ..mh
frankly in regard to this matter.
Sincerely yours,
o. B. Martin,
state Supt. of Education.
The statement referred to is as fol-
lows:
Il regard the appointment as po-
rtical rather than educational. While
II have an exalted opinion of the ap-
pointee, I believe this position was
rendered him because Of former asso-
citation in politics and because Of his
4 political prominence.
The law says the State board OF
education shall constitute an advisory
body with whom the State superin,
tendent Of education shall have the
right to consult when he IS in doub'
as to his Official duty. There are 9th
er statutes which make the duties
land relations of his board very close
. the state superintendent Of educa-
power OF appointment. but think that
common decency and courtesy de-
raand that the State superintendent OF
education be consulted At least sew
eral very distinguished governors, in
Guiding that delightful and consider
ate gentleman WHO adorned that Office
curing the past four years. have ia
ken this view I know that this is
the view held by a very large majori-
tv Of the educators of this State.
IN the second district 1 did not
! aven know that the name of the dis
singuished ex-governor was being
considered for the position until after
the position was rendered him. I re-
> fuse to believe that it was ever IN.
tended that the governor should be a
political and paternal Santa Claus to
t nder surprise appointments TO a
child-like State superintendent. This
same chief executive made a similar
surprise appointment in the sixth dis
,rict and 1 concurred in the result
because I realized the necessity OF
having one excellent lawyer on the
board.
IN the name Of the schools of
South Carolina I insist that an edu-
cational board shall consist of educa-
tors. 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 examinations? There has
been a decided disposition in the
south recently to put educators in ed
ucational offices. Every southern
state superintendent of education has
had experience in teaching. a few
wears ago this was not true. States
that have political boards Of educa-
ton are passing laws requiring that eN-
perience school men shall constitute
the membership of state boards Of
education. Bills to that effect are
now pending in the Georgia leSisla-
l ,,o1 ~