The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-10-23
MARTIN KICKS SOME MORE,
RESENTS APPOINTMENT OF MIR.
RICE ON BOARD.
Says He Will Not Stand for Reelec-
ton On Account OF Gov. Ansel's
Policy i'm Appointing Members of
the Board.

NoiuAiOid, Oct. lo.-State Superin-
tendent Of Education Martin. on re-
ceipt Of official notification that Gov.
Ansel had appointed Mr.. Hayne F.
Rice, Of Aiken, as member Of the
board of education from the I'd dis.
trict, today wrote the governor a very
caustic letter, resenting the appoint
ment Of the Aiken lawyer, and Incl
dentally announcing that he would
not stand for reelection.
Gov. Ansel was out of the city to-
day and nothing could be learned
from him in regard to the letter of
Supt. Martin, but he probably would
have said nothing anyway.
The letter from Mr.. Martin to the
governor is as follows:
Department of Education,
Columbia, S. c., Oct. 16, 1907.
Hon. M. F. Ansel, Governor, CO.
lumbia, S. C.-Dear Sir: Your letter
notifying me Of the appointment Of
Mr.. H. F. Rice, OF the Aiken Bar, as
a member Of the State board of edu-
cation was promptly received. So you
have succeeded in appointing a law
yer and also in not consulting the Of
ficer who is responsible to the people
for the conduct Of the educational
anairs of the State. wish that IL
were possible for me to think OF your
action in this whole matter other
than as small-minded, officious and
pernicious. I prefer to think of the
governor Of my State as liberal mind
ed, potential and statesmanly.
1 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 ex-
anime applicants for admission to
the bar and to discharge the numer-
Gus complicated. but technical, duties
OF the supreme court.
To take charitable view Of the sit
uation. I believe you utterly fail to
grasp the duties of a member Of the
State board Of education. Some time
ago. when you made your second ap-
pointment of lawyer on this board
characterized your action with such
language as seemed. at that
time, appropriate. applied the mus
tard plaster which afterwards seemed
rather pungent. The conclusion is
now bearing down upon me that you
are furnishing concrete exemplifica-
ton Of the characterization above re-
ferred to. The appointee. whom II
snail designate as Lawyer No. 2,
happened to be too broadminded a
man to accept an appointment in a
department whose head had been ig-
nored. Appointee Lawyer No. g.
Prof" Rice, Of the Aiken Bar, may
be Of similar calibre, but IL am to
oeneVe the report given to the press
concerning his appointment 1 should
say that he is at least ambiguous,
amphibious. ambidextrous, ubiquitous
and indeterminate. These character
istics may appeal to YOU
AS you perhaps know. you have
next year the appointment Of the re-
naming members Of the State board
OF education with the exception of
the secretary, who holds the position
ex-officio as State superintendent of
education, and I have the supreme
satisfaction of knowing that do not
have to sit with them nor be bound
by their actions. I wish to give YOU
the pleasure Of knowing here and now
that I 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 Caro-
lima. For two terms have been elect
ed State superintendent of education
without opposition. have discharg-
ed my duties fearlessly and vigorous