The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-10-13
POLITICS HURTING
NORMAL SCHOOL
Appointments Of Directors, Due
July /. Still Held Up
by Governor.
ECHO OF RECENT PRIMARY
Officers, Teachers and Students
Stirred Over Lack vi
of Action.
ECHO OF RECENT PRIMARY

Every day 1t becomes more apparent
that the developments of the Fourth
District congressional primary Of Sep
tember Il have been exceedingly hurt
fui to the State Female Normal school
at Farmville. PERHAPS the most sue
cessful In many ways of all the insti-
tutions established In Virginia. The
unrest. instead of becoming allay.d.
grows cay by day. and has, according
TO persistent report. infested the fac
ulty and the student body alike.
In some unfortunate way, the school
became involved 10 the contest over
the congressional nomination. Friends
Of both sides are angry with some Of
the results, and with some Of those
connected with the normal
Goser.Or Holdiag Up.
No appointments have as yet been
made by. Governor Mann to the board
Of directors. although five vacancies
have existed since July /. II has been
customary III past years to have the
first meeting of the board in each
session on october Is. but 1t 10 now
too late to have the new members.
even IL appointed at once. to qualify
and be called together be- that time.
Not that such boards play highly
important part. except in the election
of superintendent. but the situation
and the comments thereon have great
ly affected the hitherto smooth course
Of the Institution
The Governors position has been
nothing II not frank. He said In a
public statement that he was informed
that one of the officials had been play
ing politics. and that he Proposed to
hold up the appointments until after
the primary election. Since con-
test has arisen over the result Of that
election. IL is presumed. and currently
assumed that he is now awaiting its
final determination by the Democratic
State Committe here Tuesday night.
Naturally, the next imputation 10 that
the Governor 10 trying to influence
the result Of the appeal. although 1t
Is a little difficult to see how he could,
accomplish this in such manner.
Turnbull Was On Board.
What gives the incident such signifi-
canoe is that Congressman Robert
Turnbull, one of the candidates In the
Fourth District primary. has been for
years presidents Of the Farmvile
board. His term expired July l.
Mr.. Turnbull Is very popular with the
normal school authorities. He had the
support Of the officials and teachers.
1t is understood The Governor heard
bite. complaints from advocates OF
Judge Walter A. Watson that B. NJ
Cox, steward OF the school. was very
active In his work for Mr.. Turnbull.
Nr. Cox has always been regarded as
a Republican in national politics. Ae
has denied pernicious political activity
in the recent campaign. and his posi-
ton is corroborated by Judge Asa d.
watkins, secretary Of the board and
close psrs onal friend of Judge Watson.
Hearing these complaints the Cover
ner held Up the appointments OF tho
board. 1t was supposed he would reap
point all the old members save j. J.
Owen, Of Prince Edward, who does not
desire to continue. When criticized the
executive made his public statement
saying that he had been Informed there
was politics In the situation and thar
he w,uld hold matters up until after
the election.
TeaeAer. and PuDsls STIRRED.
The Times Dispatch was informed
yesterday BIZ Judge Watkins that no
meeting Of the school board has as yet
been called There 10. perhaps. no
hurry about 1t. but the failure to ap-
point the body is said to be having So
rious effects. The feeling OF uncer-
tainty which is 30 disastrous In such
an institution prevails everywhere since
the superintendent and the teachers a.
not know what to expect. their agite-
ton 10, even unconsciously, communi"
Gated 20 the students. DR.. j. L Jar
man, the superintendent. has made .
record for turning out young women
Who have taken high rank, and MI. Cox