Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-06-01
EXCUSE OFFERED BY Mr.. PUCK
Ell EoR SCHOOL BOARD.

EIT FUN 0OnO06
comments by The Daily Press upon
the apparent willingness OF the ooaru
~ school trustees to allow two OF its
seats to remain vacant for an indeh'
mite time we're the subject OF u
lengthy communication signed by ME-
W. e Pickett. addressed to the edi'
tor of the local afternoon paper ano
publishcd yesterday afternoon.
II is stated in this communication
that MIR. C. C. smith filed his resig-
nation with the clerk OF the council
as the law directs, on February TO-
1909. and that the law does not give
the board the authority TO receive OF
accent designations OF IT'S members.
Mr. pickett goes on to say that ne.
personally. has asked several mem
hers of the council why some one was
not elected to fill the vacancy.
Discussing the case OF Mr.. T.. d.
Cameron who vacated his seat a
month or so ago by moving out. OF
his district, Mr.. Pickett quotes from
. the minutes of the board to prove
that II Is the duty OF the superin-
teudent OF schools to notify the city
council of vacancies as they occur.
According to this. 1t seems that the
hoard has changed its custom. As
stated in the editorial objected to by
MIR Puckett, In the past it has been
customary for the board to formally
notify the council when the necessity
arises for the election Of trustee to
I'll vacancy The. Daily Press did
rot know that this custom had been
abandoned. Neither was II known
chat Mr.. Smith had given his resig-
nation directly to the clerk OF the
council.
However. regardless OF the boards
deeision TO change is custom and OF
the fact that in the case OF Mr.. Smith
the council did have notice OF the
resignation. the board has no reason
TO feel proud of its record in this mat
ter. II would seem that public body.
alive to what Is going or and having
the interest of the city at heart. would
object to having one of its nine seats
vacant since February Is. A formal
request from the board for the eiec-
ton OF 4 new trustee at the time oil
Mr.. Smiths resignation would have
brought about joint session OF the
council and tie election Of success
scr 20 Mr. smith three months ago
Such things have been done in the
past. and the excuse given for not
taking action IN the case Of Mr.. smith
Is only an excuse. not a reason The
city council is not in close touch
with the school system The board
allows the council only To provide
money and elect trustees-sence the
council cannot be expected to keel
In particularly close touch n th'
board itself did not care enough
about the vacancy Of a scat To i1sis
upon the naming Of a new trustee, :
Il not at all strange that the coun
ell should have overlooked the mat
ter. The case 81 Nr. Cameron OF
dinariiy would not attract particuls
attention. but when 4 Is CONSIDERS
IN connection with that Of Mr. smith
the willingness Of the board 20 ailo'
seats TO remain vacant Is made Al
The morr apparent n u + the dut
81 the superintendent - schools o
act IN sch a case - this one. he mes
ircfcd his duty tn failing 20 ac'
But his does net alter the far
thsi = uidc-suake board should hav
insisted Epon having a fan member
sh,p Ing am.
oae stzicnent n TIE comEunic'
ten referred 70 n vcTy objecfioaab'
70 The Dziiy Press. th1seh ne .