The Washington herald., 1909-06-22

II has developed that big surprise was
sprung upon Alexandria County, espe-
cially among those having political ineIi-
nations, by the Virginia State board Of
education. when Prof ". T. Hodges. OF
Danville. an unknown dark horse" was
chosen superintendent Of schools Of that
county over four or fve resident candi-
dates. Last night Commonwealth's At
torney Mackey said that he is voicing
the sentiment OF many people Of the
county in denOuncing the appointment OF
an outsider as "undemOcratic" and a
slap at local self-government"
When the Sunday morning papers car
ried the news across the river that Prof.
Hodges had been chosen for superin-
tendent and four county men had been
turned down. mystery mingled with the
surprise and resentment which surged
in the breasts OF the Alexandria Coun-
tians. Nobody knew Prof. Hodges. none
knew from whence he hailed. and none
could be found who knew he was ever
being considered for the job. Conse-
quently the gnashing OF teeth among the
friends OF the candidates was much. as
no one IN The county ever dreamed that
the State board would go to the other end
.of the state to get man TO head the
schools OF a county IN this end
An Experienced Educator.
The following telegram from Richmond
last night tells who Prof Hodges is:
w T. Hodges, the newly elected super
intendent or the Alexandria County
schools. Is a young man not yet thirty
years OF age. He now resides at Dan
vile, where he has for the past two
years held the position Of principal OF the
Loyal Street School, the largest school in
the city. II is announced from DanvfIle
that Hodges has been offered an increase
OF salary % remain. but prefers TO take
up the superintendency work Prof.
Hodges has taught school in North caro-
Ina and has been a teacher since ne
left college. Those in a position 10 know
/ declare him 10 be one OF the best educa-
tors in the South. He IS a native OF
Pittsylvania County"
Resented, Says Mackey.
Speaking Of the appointment last night,
when asked II he knew Prof Hodges, Mr..
Maekey said;
7 never heard Of him before. I do not
know who he is and where he comes
from All we people may know. he may
hail from Kalamazoo. We people in Alex
andria County consider the appointment
OF an outsider. a stranger, as undemo-
cratic and a slap at local self-govern-
ment Mr.. Hodges may be a very esti-
mable gentleman. but the people Of this
county resent the appointment OF an out
slider"
Mr.. Maclcey mentioned another question
which may grow out Of the appointment
Of Prof. Hodges. He said that the board
OF supervisors is considering the question
Of raising the salary OF the superintend-
ent. The State allows $3.50, and The
| county board has under consideration a
motion TO augment this sum out Of the
county funds
Salary May Not Be Raised.
! AeCl SURE lldL lulS increase Will not
be made" said Mr.. Mackey. t talked
with several members Of the board To-
day, and they were against the increasc
because an outsider has been chosepl
The view taken by M Mackey Is not
held by all Alexandria COuntians. An.
other citizen Of that county. who asked
that his name be not used. said:
I do not know Mr.. Hodges; in fact
I never heard Of him. But I am inclined
10 look upon it as a hopeful sign, II he
is q good man and well qualified for the
job. In that case, his appointment works
a new era in Virginia. that Of dfvorcine
schools from politics"
There were four candidates for the ap-
pointment in Alexandria County. They
were II. S. Petit, who had the indorse-
ment Of the Alexandra County schoo
board; Frank Ball E. W. r. Ewing, ant
J. p. Baldwin. II was generally believed
that Mr.. Petit would be named, as h,
was not only supported by the schoo
board. but the influence Of the Demo
cratic organization" politicians was With
him.
In view Of this. the appointment o.
Prof. Hodges means an off-year for III,
Virginia politicians so far as their In