The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-09-09
Mann
REFUSES TO TALK
OF STATE NORMAL
Declines to Make Any State
ment as to Failure to
Name Trustees
POLITICS IS GIVEN
AS CAUSE BY RUMOR
Aeti titles of Some Officials
in Behalf of Representa-
tive Turnbull is Alleged


Farmville. one of the largest ana
most prosperous Of the edncatlonal H.
stitutions under the wing OF the
state of Virginia. which opened It's
annual session Wednesday with an
enrolment of eight hundred. Is prac-
tically drifting along like snip
without rudder because Governor
william Hodges Mann, for reasons
best known to himself. has failed
thus far to- fill the existing vacancies
on the board of trustees.
The terms of six or the thirteen
members of the board expired ON July
/, 1912, and though the chief execu-
tive of the state has mad two months
in which to name their successors and
complete the board there has not
been a whisper from the capitol, with
the result that the work of the school
is seriously Handicapped. At the
opening last Wednesday-wnich liz the
specified time for the meeting of the
trustees to arrange .ne details for
the session, Judge Asa -. Watkins,
secretary and treasurer of the IN
stitution, announced that the board
could transact no business as the
terms of six of the members had ex-
PRED the LIST of July and there was
no quorum present -ile opening was
not delayed. but the institution must
wiggle along as best it may without
the guiding hand Of the directorate
until the governor sees fit to per-
form his duty.
Governor Refuses To Talk.
The Nirginian has RETAINED from
any mention OF this matter pending
-. AIn rat,
London, where he attended the At
lantic Deeper Waterways congress
last week He returned yesterday
morning, and in response to tele-
phoned request for an interview, re-
fused TO see a Yirginian reporter. stat
ing briefly that he would have moth
ing to give out regarding the school
matter. *-4-
Governor Mann was later called
over the telephone and answered
through his son. He was asked il
his reply that he would have nothing
TO say was intended to mean that he
would have nothing to say on Sun
day, but would have a statement 10
make later.
Through his son the reply came
that he would have nothing to say
concerning the school matter nor
would have a statement to make
later. :" III .
Rumors have been going the rounds
in the past week or two regarding
the failure or neglect of the governor
| to name the six trustees. II has been
openly charged that the governor Is
| holding up the appointments because
| two of the men connected with the in
| stitution have seen fit to take a
| hand in the congressional con-
/ test in the Fourth district. These
| men are j. L. Jarman, presi-
| dent of the school and Benjamin
| NJ. Cox. business manager. These
| men are credited for the successful
| conduct of the most successful edu-
! cationai institution under State con
| troll Robert Turnbull. who has been
chairman of the board for twenty
| years, is now the congressman from
the Fourth district. He is opposed
by Judge Waiter A. Watson, who is
q native of Governor Mann's county
Nottoway His was one Of the terms
| to expire July tst
Politics II HUNDRED
| The retention of President Jarman
and Business Manager Cox, both of
| whom have been associated with Mr.
| Turnbull and are supporting him for
| congress.- rests with the board of
trustees. six of the thirteen members
] of which are to be named by Cover
| nor Mann Is passibi. for the
| governor to dispose of Mr.. Turnbull
| as a member of the board. and pos
! sible for him to put in men who VIII
| dispose of President Jarman and
| Business Manager Cox.
| The rumor has gained ground that
al
| cancies until after the primary in the
| Fourth congressional district is held,
| Notwithstanding the fact that the
vacancies have existed for over two
months. and many who have been
quietly summing up the situation say
I 1t would not surprise them ii Turn
bull is eliminated which would noean
| PRIMARILY the effmination OF Jarmar
and Cox, who are chiefly responsible
| for the great success Of Virginia &
| largest and most successful training
, school.
| 1t is up to the governor and his
next move is impatiently awaited by
| the thousands of friends of the in
stitution.
| Personnel of Board
The board of trustees is now conn
posed ef-eHit seven members, who
are uHdpie 10 TRANSACT business Tor
| the benefit of the school. They are:
George r. Tsridgeforth. OF KenbridEe
Judge j. NJ. Crute. Of Farmville. NJ.
/ p, Farrier. Of Pearishurg: NJ. d. Hall,
/ cf Burke: O. Il. Jordan, Of Pulaski
| and j. r. Bolts. of Roanoke.
The six members whose terms ex-
! pired July LIST and whose successors
have not been appointed are. Robert
TurnbulL Of l.awrencevilie Rev. nr
4 James Nelson. of Richmond, {. Hard
( ing Walker. of Heathsviile: T. S.
Ware. of BerySille: j. j. Owen. q:
Green Bay and j. y. Atkins. OF Mid
! lothian,