The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-24
Via Charged With I'm
proper Conduct Toward
Women Teachers.
DANVILLE HOTEL
STORY D E N led
Defense Gives Woman's Name,
When Prosecution Would Not,
Asserting That There Was
Nothing Wrong in Visit.
Hear Charges in
Public.

sensational charges against George
w. Via, division superintendent of
schools of Patrick County, were aired
yesterday before the State Board of
Education, the board hearing afilavits
charging improper relations with "a
school teacher In that county improper
relations with woman at hotel in
Danville, charges of carrying con
cealed weapons. OF irregularities in the
methods of issuing teachers certifi- :
Gates, and of tampering with examina
tion papers.
An Of the charges were denied en-
phatically by counsel for Mr. Via. who
asserted that they we're inspired by
local and family fcuds and by those
desirous of securing the position
Many ConteHted Ca-en.
The state Board OF Education met
| yesterday morning to hear number
OF contested cases and TO elect fortv-
| seven division superintendents From
the present outlook. il will be in ses-
sion all week. II was decided at the
| outset to have all hearings in public.
session for the elections. Each candi-
date may have fifteen minutes to pre-
sent his claims or to present deieya-
| ions III support of written petitions
already before the board Where there
are charges against the moral charac-
Ter OF the incumbent. one hour will be
allowed To each side. the board TO hold
daiiy sessions at 10 and 2:3O O'Clock
proceeding until all have been heard.
when the elections will follow the con
sideration OF papers fled Members in
attendance when the board assembled
Yesterday were Governor Mann Super
intendent OF Public instruction Stearnes
ana Attorney-General Samuel w. VIII
, liams.
Colonel Ford. DR.. Page and Or. Jar
man and Frank I. West.
The Albemsrlc County case was
taken up first. Judge r. r. W. Duke
| Appearing --for Mr.. Everett. Judge
Duke asserted that Mr. McManawsy
tho opponent had not paid his poll
taxes until he became candida N.
and was not a resident OF Virginia
save AS having been n student at the
University Of Virginia. DR.. Blair and
ID. II. Pitts spoke for Mr. Everett. No
! one appeared for Mr McManaway.
The Amherst case was called next
Thomas Whitehead spoke for rcten-
ton CT Fletcher! c. Campbell.
Via Charges Sensational.
Ihc Via case was taken up at the
afternoon session. and provided the
sensation OF the day Three otner
candidates from Patrick County arc
| Yet to present their claims, but they
did not infringe on the hour allowed
each side In the hearing of the ca Sc
involving charges OF immortality j.
J Murray Hooker appeared AS counsel
/ for Mr.. Via. MIR. Carter of Martins
! VILE who appeared for these making
fhe charges. explaining that he did
not represent any of the other candi-
dates. He wanted to call witnesses
but MT Hooker objected, and the
board ruled that the case mus, be
submitted OF affidavits and statements
of counsel
The first count against Mr.. Via OF
irregularities in issuing teachers GER
tihcates was dropped by consent of
counsel tecause of lack of definite
information on which to base general
statements.
Mr.. Carter took up first the charge
OF carrying concealed weapons. read
ing an affidavit showing that the boys
at certain school found pistol in
the superintcndent's ovarcoat pocket
CONTINUED on Fifth PaKe)