Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1911-05-10
ancient BOARD
CLAIMS CONTROL
STEADY SIX" AFFIRM ALI FAITH
IN TNEIR LEGALITY.
NOT A BIT or CONFUSION
The Old Board Is Pcr,cctly Happy and
Is Banking ON Its Ability 10
Weather Storm.


the old school board issued state
ment, which clearly outlines the posi-
tion Of the six mbers who are hold
ing out that the former board of edu'
cation Is TIE legal body,
Following Is the statement:
To G. W. Grimes, n. W Mayginnos
j s. French, c. r. Reuter- and A..
a. Bumgarrer:
Gentlemen--There has come 90 our
attention through the public press
what you have designated as a prop
osition 10 settle the school board con
fusion, which you intimate now con-
fronts this community and in re-
spcnsc to such matter we beg to sug.
gest to yoI that there is no schoo,
board conf ision either now existing
or Threatening.
That you gentlemen may be con-
fused is possible. But from that fact
you have no right to assume that the
school board is confused and the ad-
ministTation of the public school mat
tors is confused. For on the contra
fy. the administration of public
gchools Is proceeding in orderly ana
due course. and so far as we see 1t
there il not ling to settle hut your per-
sonal desire and the possible desire
tf some one hundred voters, who voted
for you 10 affect some change In the
school board but that desire does not
confuse any except those who enter
lain It.
As 10 the specific proposition that
you point out rs needing attention, we
beg to ADVISE you that they are receiv-
ing attention. Teachers are being
hired and all other matters are being
attended to in due course.
As 10 your suggestion that some
committee is prepGringg some manner
Of an ord nance reorsanizing the
$, hool board and clecting new mem
hers. we beg to advise you that in
the case of ne board of education ol
the city, Of hrdmore vs. state the SUI
preme court OF Oklahoma has set
tied the proposition that munlclp-
ality has no control of school ahalrs
and they use this language
"As the legislature Of this state dld
not see fiji 10 confer on cities Of the
class entitled 10 frame charters lor
their own government any power 10
legislate on matters pertaining TO the
public school system OF the state IL
follows that an attempt on the part
of the city ~ Ardmore by It's charter
TO vest such authority In another
board than that provided by the gen
eral law must fail.
II is therefore clear, that the city
government has no authority nor has
a municipality any authority TO do so
and In this case II IS to be remembered
that the school district IL considera-
bly, more extensive than the muni-
cipality itself, and for this reason, as
well as for reasons suggested In the
decision referred to, no action taken
by ordinance or initiative and refer
endum can effect any reorganization;
nor viii be allowed to affect any reor-
ganiZatiun OF the school board; or the
school district SO it is well TO disa
buse your minds Of any fantastic ideas
you may have entertained OF accom-
plishing by !pdirection what YOU were
unable to 40 by any other manner,
and the call Of the ele tion and under
taking to alter the condition viii GER
tainly have tendency to create a con-
fusion whicH you seem SO much TO
dread, and vhich you alone have caus-
ed or sought TO cause.
As to the proposition submitted, we
beg to advise you that II IS not even
for moment seriously considered.
Not satisfied with assuming Offices
and attempting to exercise functions
and franchises which you have no
right. you seek now to usurp the pow
er OF the legislature and the courts,
both to determine the method Of hold
ing elections and the rights of those
who have been elected. II is not con-
troverted In any quarter so far as we
have heard that the present school
board were y duly elected. We have
not heard i suggested from any hut
yoUrself that any but four of you
claim TO be members of that board.
and we have not supposed It possible
AiA'N Wv y ''bi sA-7Fuiii' W w Nii' " il'l'
hoard, although your proposition
seems TO imply that you constitute the
board even though there be four mem-
hers Of 1t whose right to sit YOU have
never IN fact controverted,
Upon what authority, then do you
suggest that this entire board enter
into a combination with you to Impose
another election upon this community
Your contention Is called TO the fact
that the courts have frequently an
nounced as Illegal an unauthorized
just such an election az you propose
shall be held, and why you should be-
lieve In such steps being taken IL not
clear unless YOU accomplish a partic-
ular purpose that you have In view.
Why any set OF mon should assume
10 dictate terms 20 other men, any one
of whom received more votes for his
Office than all OF such pretended board
together Is only accountable for upon
the basis that some particular result
ls sought that is not presented TO the
public. To your specious plea that
'tho people should rule" we beg to
advise you that the people are ruling