Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-08-02
MARTIN MlFFED AT ANSEL.


MARTIN MIFFED AT ANsEL.
State Superintendent Does Not Like
Gubernatorial Interference.
There was a violent clash today,
says a Columbia special OF We'd
nesday, to the Charlotte Obser-
YER between Governor M. F. An
sci and State Superintendent Of Edu-
cation o. B. Martin over the govern
or's recent appointment Of ex-Govern-
or John c. Sheppard Of Edgefield, as
member of the state board OF edu-
cation, and after the controversy Mr..
Martin gave out a red-hot roast OF the
governor for what he considers an act
of discourtesy and deception on the
part Of the governor in appointing a
politician on the board instead Of a
school man.
The clash was precipitated on re-
ceipt by the governor this morning OF
a letter from Mr.. Martin, saying:
II am informed that you have offer
ed the position on the state board of
education, from the second district, to
lawyer and ex-governor. II such be
the case, l wish to serve notice that l
through the press. Such action will
seriously injure the work of this de-
partment, as we'll as have a depress-
ing effect upon the schools and edu-
Gators Of this state. If l am correct
as to the second district, this will make
two appointments on the state board
Of education, and the teaching profess
sion has not been recognized. l am
sure that they will feel your attitude
to them very keenly. / shall not hesi-
tate to speak frankly in regard to this
matter"
On reading the letter Governor An
sci at once went to Mr. Martins Of
flee and protested that he intended no
offense, that he thought he was making
the best appointment he could make.
Mr.. Martin told the governor that
he had acted discourteously in the be-
ginning by not inviting him to confer
before making the appointment, as all
other governors had done and as was
clearly intended by the act creating
the board. He told the chief execu-
tive that after he had "butted in" to
his office to have the consultation any
way, he had seen fit to appoint man
who had not been mentioned in the
conversation. and that thereby he con-
sidered he had been duped and de-
ceived.
Statement by Martin.
Mr.. Martin then made this statement
to the newspaper representatives who
daily make a round Of the state OFF,
ceS:
Il regard the appointment as politi-
cal rather than educational. While
l have an exalted opinion Of the ap-
pointee | believe this position was
rendered him because Of former asso-
citation 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 superinten-
dent 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 superintendent Of education.
The law gives the governor the power
of appointment but l think that COM
mon decency and courtesy demand that
the state superintendent Of education
be consulted. At least several very
distinguished governors, including the
delightful and considerate gentleman
who adorned that office during the past
four years, have taken this view.
know that this Is the view held by a
very large majority Of the educators
of the state.
In the second district 1 did not
even know that the name of the dis
tinguished ex-governor was being
considered for the position until after
the position was rendered him. l re-
fuse to believe that It was ever intend
ed that the governo.' should be a po-
litical and paternal Santa Claus to
tender surprise app ointments to a
child-lke state superintendent This
same chief executive made similar
surprise appointment in the sixth dis
trict, and / concurred in the result be-
cause l realized the necessity Of hav-
ing one excellent lawyer on the board.
In the name Of the schools of
South Carolina l insist that an educa-
tional board shall consist Of educators.
What would be said If teachers should
be put on the pharmaceutical board
or the state board of medical exami-
ners? Or why not let teachers con-
duct bar examinations? There has
been a decided disposition in the south
recently to put educators in education
al offices. Every southern state su-
perintendent of education has had ex-
perience in teaching. A few years ago
this was not true. States that have
political boards Of education are pass
shall constitute the membership of
state boards of education. Bills to
that effect are now pending In the
Georgia legislature. They have had
board Of state officers.
1.-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 children, and
performs other duties more or less
professional.
why a man who is really looking
for official efficiency and service to
the schools does not want people who
have devoted their lives to that line
of work is more than l can see. 1t
looks to me like an appointment upon
perfunctory association and patroniZ-
ing politics.
Il am speaking plainly in regard to
this matter because it is a luxury so
to speak, and because l am convinced
that educational progress may be Sc
riously handicapped by gubernatorial
ObtuSeneSS, stupidity ana SelnSh polltl-
cal persistency."
Politicians have repeatedly made at
tempts to discover how Governor An
sci voted in the great political contest
between Sheppard and Orr, represent
ing the conservatives, and Tillman,
representing the radicals, when Till
man first went in as governor, but on
this as on many other things the gov
ernor has eluded them. The row over
the appointment of Ex-Governor Shep-
pard has, therefore, more than passing
interest.
Governor Ansel would make no
statement for publication today, be-
yond expressing his regret that he had
angered Mr.. Martin. He said he made
the appointment because he believed
ii to be the best for the educational
interests Of the state.