The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-08-02


except that he pro-
the theory that all members
he board should be educators. Be-
fore issuing the statement Mr.. Martin
sent the following letter to Gov. An
sel:
Gov. NJ. F. Ansel, Columbia, S. C.
Dear Sir: I 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, I wish to serve
notice that expect to make vigor-
Gus 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 this ate. If I
am correct as to the second district,
this Will make two appointments on
the state board of education, and the
teaching profession has not been rec
ognized. I am sure that they will feel
your attitude to them very keenly. 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 fol-
lows: .
t'I regard the appointment as poll
tieal rather than educational. While
I have an exalted opinion Of the ap-
pointee, I believe this position was
rendered him because of former asso-
ciation in politics and because Of his
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 doubt
as to his official duty. There are 9TH
er statutes which make the duties
and rels ms Of this board very close
to the state superintendent Of educa-
ton. The law gives the governor the
power Of appointment, but I think
that common decency and courtesy
demand that the state superintend-
ent Of education be consulted. At
least several very distinguished gov
ernors, including that delightful and
eonsiderate gentleman who adorned
that office during the past four years,
= have taken this view. I know that
this is the view held by a very large
mhjolGty of the educators of this
state.
':In the second district I did not
even know that the name Of the dis
tinguished ex-governor was being con-
sidered 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 tender surprise appointments to a
ehild-like state superintendent. This
same chief executive made similar
surprise appointment in the sixth
district and I concurred in. the re-
suit because I realized the necessity
Of having one excellent lawyer on
the board.
SIN the name Of the schools of
South Carolina I insist that an edu-
cational board shall consist of eluca-
tors. What would be said if teach
ers should be put on the pharma-
ceutical board or the state board Of
medical examiners? Or why not let
teachers conduct bar examinations {?
Re has been a decided disposition
south recently to put educators
pcational office Every southern
pperintendent of education has
perience in teaching. A few
20 this was not true. States
re political boards OF educa-
passing laws requiring that
t9.6ced school men shall consti-
Ite the membership Of state boards
Of education. Bills to that effect are
now pending in the Georgia legisla-
/ ture. They have had a board Of state
officers.
''The state board Of education pre-
pares all questions for teachers ex-
aminations, makes out courses of
study, examines reading circle papers,
selects books for teachers and chill
dren and performs other duties more
or less professional.
"Why a man who is really looking
fer official efficiency and service to