The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-08-07
WILL CHOOSE THEIR BOARDS District Chairmen Meet
 Tomorrow. ELECT THE COUNTY BOARDS Caution is Advised by Department
 of Education. Court Houses wni Be Meeting Place of Men Charged With Duty of se- ieetinK Four Members of
 County Bosrds--Appor-
 tion Funds.

Except in those few counties which are privileged with special laws, the district trustees will tomorrow proceed with one of the most solemn duties which they have to perform, and that is the election of County Boards of Trustees. The meetings are required by law to be held in the courthouse of each county. beginning at noon.
 Hon Harry c. Gunnels. State Super intendent of Education. and other edu- cators of Alabama. are solicitious about the outcome of tomorrow's gatherings. They realize that the law gives to the county boards a number of important powers and lot of discretion. powers and discretion that are likely to be abused or neglected unless good men are chosen.
 The County Boards once chosen. can- not be changed for four years, as that is the length of the terms. of such of- ficers. Every. year they are charged with the duty of arranging the lengths of terms for the public schools In every part of the county and are to appor- tion, by their own methods, all the public school funds that come from the State. This power of apportionment could hardly be overestimated in It's importance as the only restriction of the law in the exercise of the power Is that 1t must be done with the view of equalizing the terms in all districts.
 Superintendent Gunnels said yester- day he Is much gratified at the infer nation received from many Of the county authorities that in tomorrows election representatives of the city boards ofe ducation would be allowed to participate. It Is believed that in every county where there Is desire on the part of the incorporated au- tn critics to have a voice in such choice of the County Boards it will be grati- fled.
 The participation of the city repre- sentatives in electing the County Board members depends. of course, on the good will of the district trustees, # they confined their proceedings to the law stricfiy they would hoose the board members by themselves. But 1t is believed that the sense of justice 50 strongly hinted at for several days will prevail, allowing the city people . voice. inakmuch as the apportionment of the public funds for the city schools lies with the County Boards as well as for the rural districts.
 The County Boards consist of five members in all. four to be chosen to- morrow and the fifth being the County Superintendent. Realizing that the law is not specific on the point of or Ranization of the district chairmen at the meeting, bupsFthteHoSup Guhh0ln prepared and yesterday sent the fol- lowing suggestions to the County Su- perintendents of Education; .To the County Superfntendents: 'fThere seems to be some confusion as to the procedure at the meeting Of the district trustees next Saturday Let me suggest the following:
 "First-The County Superintendent should call the meeting to order.
 "Second--A temporary secretary should be elected.
 'Third--A committee on credentials should be appointed to look over the reports sent in to the County Superin- . tendent and ascertain who are eligible to sit in the meeting.
 "Fourth-A permanent chairman, not necessary the County Superintendent, ana a permanent secretary. should be elected.
 .Fifth--rhe election of the County Board of Education should then be gone into.
 'sixth-The meeting should be governed by general parliamentary rules governing deliberative bodies.
 Yours very truly, Harry c. Gunnels.
 ''Supt. of Education"
 The district trustees who are to meet tomorrow were elected July 14.