The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-05-30
MAY GUST BOARD OF EDUCATION
Governor Blease Tells How RumOr
Originated, In Discussing Thomp-
sons History


took official notice Friday of the ru-
mors that he would remove the State
board of education, when he was ask
ed about the situation.
Briefly the situation is that Gov
ernor Blease has under consideration
now the question of whether or not
he will remove the appointive mem
bers Of the board He stated Friday
that he could not say at this time
whether he would take action in the
matter at all, but tha he has never
stated whether would or not remove
the board.
Origin of Rumor.
The situation that gave rise to the
rumor came up in this way, as ex-
plained Friday by the governor:
When Col. Waddy Thompson, Of
Atlanta, who is the author Of his
tory of to United States, which book
is used in the schools and upon which
the board has to pass when it cons1d-
ers the textbook proposition, came to
see Governor Blease, who is ex-ofi-
clio chairman of the board Of educa-
tion, and Governor Bleas-, IN talking
over the textbook situation, said to
Col. Thompson that he did not like the
history by this author because s'it
lodged the question of the response
bility for the burning of Columbia"
On Burning of Columbia,
Governor Blease stated Friday that
he told the author of the history that
II would take the word of Bishop Eli
son Capers and of Wade Hampton be-
fore the word of every Yankee north
of the Mason and Dixon line" Gov
ernor Blease also, so stated the chief
executive, told COL Thompson that
there was the word of other folks re-
siding here at the time of the burning
Of Columbia and statements from
them as to Sherman's act.
Governor Blease explained that
what he wished to impart was hi sbe-
lief that such testimony should have
been put into book that goes to the
children of this State
Governor Blease is authority for
the statement coming from the author
that the reason Northern testimony
was given as to the burning of Colum-
bia. was because it was sought to
show to the Northern people by evi-
dence from the North itself the sit
uation as to the burning of Columbia,
that the people here in the South
knew the situation already about the
truth as to the burning of Columbia.
What Blease Said
It was, according to Governor
Blease, when the author Of the book
said something to this effect that 'the
members of the State board of educa-
tion are in favor Of my book" Gov
ernor Blease not recalling Friday the
exact verbage; that the Governor told
Col. Thompson, 'Wiell, maybe, the
present State board of education will
not pass upon your book. I am think
ing of removing the members because;
the book men are worrying them so,
and getting another board that will
probably be better able to pass upon
the book question without being Wor-
ried so by the agents.
This statement, or words to the
same effect, so stated Governor Blease
today, has given rise to the rumors
that he would ask the members of
the board to resign. He has not, he
states, given any intimation yet as to
whether he would Or not ask for the
resignation of the members. 'But I
am considering the NATTER" Governor
Blease concluded.
The rumor has been prevalent here
for several days; yesterday they went
even so far as to reach the point that
the act had already been done.
Governor Blease was for this rea-
son asked the direct question today
by the News and Courier correspon-
dent, and replied in the manner quot
ed above.
Members of Present Board.
The following are the members OF
the board of education:
G. L. Blease, ex-ohcio chairman; J.
E. Swearingen, ex-of1cio secretary;
A. G. Renbert, Spartanburg; J. NJ.
O'Driscoll, Charleston; H. E. Rice, Jr.,
Aiken; Nathan B. Toms, Darlington;
J. L. Glenn, Chester; A. J. Thackston,
, Orangeburg; D. ". Daniel, Clemson