Evening star., 1909-06-27
REORGAN|zE SCHOOLS
Virginia Board of Education
Arouses Protests.
SCORED OVER APPOINTEES
Some of the Counties Threaten to
Cut Off Pay.
AMENDMENTS FOR THE VOTERS
Speculation Over Forthcoming Pri-
mary for overnorship-Claims
of Contesting Adherents.
Special Correspondence of The Star.


RICHMOND, Va, June 26, 1909.
From all parts OF the state are coming
protests against the action of the board
of education in naming the division super
intendents of schools. The board paid no
attention to the requests of counties and
cities and proceeded to reorganize the
school system in a manner that mani
tested the determination to place the well
fare of the schools above the factional
political strife that has developed in many
sections. Members of the board are be-
ing charged with acting for their individ
ual political ambitions, and in one in
stance an open charge has been made.
Senator NJ. ]. Fulton. formerly of Clarke
and Warren, whose brother was defeated
for reelection in the county of Grayson,
declares that Gov. Swanson, after Sc
cret conference with an unknown candi-
date, succeeded in pulling the new man
through for no other purpose than to
further his political aspirations next year,
when he expects TO be candidate for
Congress in the fifth district. He de-
clares that there could have been no
other motive in removing his brother,
especially when the gentleman named had
announced that he would not be a cam
didate for the place.
The appointments are made by board
composed of the governor, the superin-
tendent of public instruction. the attorney
general, DR.. e. w. Kent of the University
Of Virginia, Prof j. l.. Jarman of the
State Female Normal School and Col. n.
b. Tucker of the Virginia Military Insti-
tute. The latter three are chosen by the
legislature. while the first three are
elected by the people.
1t is being charged that the appoint
h}ents were not made till after the date
fixed for the entry of candidates for the
state primary had passed, that the date
was thus fixed in oruer to prevent any
~ la T0F he
held by Supt Eggleston, that the board
hsd determined months ago to name
some of the candidates and that one of
tnsrsuccessful men resigned a position be-
fore the board met in order to accept the
sAperintendency of this city, for which
position another man had been indorsed
byeSthe city school board. the teachers,
EDUCATORS and'leading business men.
Gov. Swanson is replying To the charges
nude by Senator Fulton, characterizing
the statements made by that gentleman
as unmitgated falsehoods and declares
that the only reference to politics was
made by j. X Fulton of Grayson, who
wrote a letter declaring that if the gov
ernor entered the race for Congress he
would find him Fulton) supporting him
with all his best efforts The governor
has that letter iii his possession.
So bitter Is the protest in many cases
that the local boards are discussing the
matter of cutting off the pay of the coun-
ties and the cities in order to express
their disapproval of the action of the
state board, and some declare that they
will not recognize the acts of the new
superintendents. The situation is far
from being settled and is the principal
subject of conversation among the people
of the state.
Amending the Constitution.
John w. Williams, clerk of the house
of delegates. is having printed in the
newspapers OF the state advertisements
reciting at length the proposed amend
ments TO the constitution which are to
be voted on by the people this fall, and
II approved are to be enacted by the
legislature the coming winter. There
are three of these amendments. The
first relates to the election of commits
Eoners OF the revenue, and permits them
TO succeed themselves. The new con-
stitution forbids the men serving for