Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-06-24
POLITICS IN ELECTION OF
SUPERINTENDENT.


Reports from various places through
on, the State say that there are com .
n,aln,s against the state board OF
education because the board. 1t Is
charged. has allowed politics to play
rart in the selection OF superinten-
dents OF schools.
As far as this city is concerned.
pclltics did not enter into the ap-
pointment OF prof. t. r. Worreli. the
Southwestern Virginia man who has
been the principal of Norfolk graded
school and who was elected superin-
tendent for this city. Prof. Wor-
rell was not known In the race here. !
and the politicians had nc chance to
mix In the matter until after the State
board, as the members believed, had
settled the disturbance here by inn
porting an outside man.
Thus 1t is obvious that the board
was rot Influenced by politics as to
Newport News. Whether or not the
same thing can be said after next
Friday remains to be seen. The scene
enacted at Hotel Warwick yesterday
afternoon shows pretty conclusiyeiy
that If local political influence can
sway the members of the State board.
Prot. Willis A. Jenkins and not Prof
ZEE. Worrell viii be the next superin-
tendent Of schools here.
Though this paper is confident thai
a majority Of the people of the city
were well satisfied with the board ;
solution of the local problem. and
is equally as sure that = very large
majority would prefer that Prof. Jen-
kins be kept away from LIE school
system, 1t is a fact that no man ever
carried a greater array OF local politi-
cal strength 20 support his cause than
did Prof. Jenkins when he met Gov
ernor swanson at the Warwick yes
terday. Among those in the party
were T. w. Milstead. ]. u. G.. Brown.
Saxon W. Holt. r. W. Perkins. A. A.
Moss, 4. p. Stearues and +. l. Ford.
That lineup cannot be beaten IN
Newport News politics. II Governor
Swanson holds TO his position that
Pref. Jenkins, On account OF his habits,
Is not the man to be placed az the
head OF a school system. IL will be
hard to convince anybody that al least
pne member Of the state board has
not acted in the selection OF superin-
tendents without regard to politics.
An attempt is being made 10 show
that there is great popular protest
IN Newport News against the selec-
ton Of an outsider for the local Of
Zee This is not fact As stated
before. as far as this paper Is able
10 learn. the State boards disposition
Of the situation here was very sc-
ceptabie 20 a majority Of the people.
All cf the protesting started with a
few friends % Pref. jenkins who hap
pen 20 be men 81 influence in local
positics. aided By members Of the
school beard. who. having endorsed
Prof. jenkins. desired to SEE theft
wishes carried out. There - abso.
intely no general feeling against the
Selection q a man not living m tns
city. al Of the feeling IS in behalf Of
Pror jenkins. and has been stirred
ID on account q personal FRIENDSHIP
% sympathy sor hin.
The Daily Press stili holds the be
lief expressed the morning after Prof
Worreifs appointment vas announc
"a. that the state board acted for ths
hrst Interests Of the local school So
ten n dispos;ng o. troublesome
rituaslsn By going outside ~ the cts
Tor az srhelenf sspeFinfendenf. n
Tfez q he fact that 10 capable ma
ecccptzb,e % the public cou:d secure
sae eneorsemenf Of he trustees.