Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-08-06
Mr.. Martins Apology.


The only means by which a self-re-
specting man can save himself after
having committed an unjustifled Of
fense against another is frank open
sincere apology.
The apology amounts to very little
to the man unjustly offended, except
that he is enabled to resume his good
opinion of the offender. 1t amounts tc
much to the offender. because so soon
as he realizes that he has committed an
unjust offense, there Is no other way
by which he can regain his own self
respect.
Most people commit unjust offenses
against others at some time or other
Sometimes it is done unintentionally
and sometimes Intentionally. When
such offenses are committed intention
ally, 1t is evidence that the offender has
no self-respect to begin with and he
never makes an apology. II his offense
Is unintentional, he puts himself righ,
so soon as he realizes his position.
In apologizing to Governor Ansel
Mr.. Martin has done the right and
manly thing and restored himself In
the estimation Of those who were NOV
ed to contempt because of his remark
able, and as many think, absurd, out
break. Governor Ansel has not been
affected other than that he may con-
tinue to regard Mr. Martin as though
the incident had never developed.
We desire to say that in our opinion
Mr.. Martins apology was manly and
we think more of him for it.
But while the outbreak is to be re-
garded as a closed incident, 1t is not
so with the principle involved In the
exercise by the governor Of his discre-
tion in the matter Of appointing mem
bers Of the state board Of education
Mr.. Martin still holds that the COVER
nor has no right to make such an ap-
pointment until after he has first con-
suited the state superintendent, and in
this we think he Is wrong.
When the general assembly devolved
upon the governor the duty and re-
sponsibility Of appointing members OF
the state board Of education 1t was
with the evident purpose Of bringing
the chief executive into close touch
with the educational department. Had
this not been at least one purpose OF
such an arrangement 1t IL possible that
the superintendent would have been
vested with the power Of appointing
his own. cabinet.
1t is all very well. maybe, for Mr.
Martin to complain Of interference
with his plans; but the most he can
make Of that is purely personal
grievance. For him to undertake to
assume that men like Governor Ansel
and Ex-Governor John c. Sheppard are
not capable of exercising az good an
influence on the educational interests
Of the state as himself or any other
man, is too absurd for serious consid-
Grafton.
OF course, there is nothing wrong In
Mr.. Martins holding the view he ex-
presses in regard to this matter If he
wants to. II he sees 1t that way, It is
his right to do 80. There is no unjust
offense against anybody in holding
such a view, and no occasion for an
apology. But If he wants to rise still
another notch in the estimation OF
right thinking. common sense people. he
will come out in still another card, and
say that he is now able to see that he
has all along been laboring under de-
lusion in regard to the whole matter;
that the governor was in no wise, not
even through considerations Of COM
mon courtesy, bound TO consult him as
to the appointment complained Of.