Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1909-03-20
All past due SUBSCRIPTIONS to
The Herald MUST be paid i'm
nediately.
THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

Although the president of the school
board, at the organization meeting Of
the Board of Trade, stated that the
board would hold a regular meeting
on next Monday night. and that the
committee would be welcome TO attend
As the meetings were always open to
he public, the head of the board did
not extend an invitation to the com
nittee to attend this meeting. or even
intimate that the board would consid-
n any suggestions from the commit
lee or give them any recognition in an
official way.
The school board has taken no ac-
ion In reference to the appointment
Jf the conference committee, and if
he statement of the president OF the
BOARD is construed Alright, they do not
intend to enter into any conference
with them. They are welcome to at
tend the meeting in the capacity of
audience. the same as any patron or
citizen has the privilege of being pres
ent at these meetings. II this infer
ence is correct, then We are led to
believe that the school board consid-
ers themselves competent to carry on
The affairs OF the schools without CIV
ing any consideration TO suggestions
or claims on the part of. the tax pay
ers.
The board and the people are famil-
lar with the conditions under which the
bonds were issued They also recog-
nize the fact that these conditions are
now changed. The board is up against
a proposition. This Is also known,
and ii was for the purpose of con-
ulting with the board and giving them
assistance in their difficulty, that this
committee was appointed. 1t was
lone in pirit of kindness, and with
he intention of relieving the board of
the great responsibility which rested
upon them. This committee, repre-
senting the tax payers, would be in a
position to stand back of the board in
a breaking away from "the tie that
binds and in this way shoulder the re-
sponsibility, which would otherwise
all on the board. 1t is recognized
hat at the present time. and under
present conditions, the board can do
nothing but stick to the letter of the
proclamation under which the bonds
we're issued To devise some means
Of getting away from this, the commit
tee was appointed, so that the board
would be enabled TO see its way clear
10 take care Of in a substantial way,
the children who will be taken in un-
der the new charter.
Some means must be provided for
their schooling and if the board shows
90 disposition to care for them, ii is
probable that the people in the new
territory will vote to maintain their
own schools. This is a serious mat
ter. and one that he school beard can
not afford to ignore. 1t is to be hoped
that when the committee goes TO the
meeting of the board on Next Monday
hight, the board will receive them Of
ficially, in the spirit in which they
are sent. This committee has no
mandatory power and is not armed
with demands. but is simply to get
some expression, if possible. from the
board. as TO their intentions. and ad-
wise with them on matters that the
loard feels they can not act without
he consent of the people.
This committe knows the will Of tn,
people. and if the board ignores them,
heir report TO the Board of Trade
may lead TO some other method of
securing schools for the new district.