Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-06
HANOVER SUPERVISOR IS
PUZZLED BY STATEMENT
Paper He Signed, Says Luck, APP
pearcd Shorter Than Copy Now
Rearing His Name.
DID NOT INTEND ANY CHARGE
Declares He Does Not Believe He
Signed Statement Charging Pres
cnt School Superintendent With
inattention to Official Duties.

In letter to citizens OF Hanover
who had asked for an explanation of
the resolution passed by the County
Board Of Supervisors. threatening to
withhold the pay of the division super
intendent if any other person, than
w. H. Brcmner were chosen for this
position, and charging further that the
incumbent. John II. wickham was not
deVoting five days week to the dis
charge of his duties. L. s Luck. a mem
Der of the Board OF Supervisors de-
clared yesterday his belief that the pa
per he signed did not contain these
provisions. No order covering either
of the points. he said. has been entered
by the board with his knowledge.
An explanation was asked by Will
loughby Newton. Jr.. Ovcrton Howard
j. T.. Horne and G. w. crump. The let
ter WAS addressed to c. =. Luck and
W. L. Shelton. j. q. Johnson, the third
member of the hoard. did not sign the
resolution in question. and was. there
fore. not called on to explain.
According TO Mr.. Luck. lie was handed
typewriter paper by MIR. Shelton and
Mr.. Hrcmncr. recommending Eremner
for division superint cndcnt. Mr.. John
son had seen tho paper. he said. and
had indicated TO Mr.. Luck his approval
of its contents.
1T is all right. aud would sign H."
Mr. johnson is quoted as saying To Mr.
Luck, but for the fact that I had prom
iscd Mr.. Fell not to indorse any ono
against him because he had been 50
kind 10 me in sickness
SAYS PAPER uE SIGNED
SEEMED MUCH SHORTER
Mr.. Luck suggested striking out tho
words otherwise we will not" which
he construed as threat, but refrained
from pressing tn" matter upon being
assured bv Mr.. johnson and Mr. Rrcm-
ner that that was not what il meant
and that the paper was all right AS
drawn.
The paper I signed seemed TO mo
very much shorter than the copy
have seen, and | certainly did not in
tend 10 sign. aud don. believe | did
sign, any statement saying that til"
present county superintendent Of
schools in Hanover had given loss
than five days week of his time to
his duties. had no knowledge OF
such failure. aud never heard any com
plant against him. | merely under
stood was indorsing MIR. Brcmucr. and
ir Mr.. Wickham had asked me before.
should have indors"d him.
II will state further that when loft
Johnson aud, think. MIR. Bremncr
there"
The resolution. although prepared
for presentation to the State Board of
Educa ton, never reached that body.
In view of Mr. Luck's statement il APP
pears that tho hostility to the present
division superintendent was eNaggcrat-
ed. II is regarded as probable that
an appointment will be announced for
Hanover AT the meeting OF the state
board tomorrow.
DISC0IRAGES REOPESISG
OF NORFOLK COUNTY CASE
Messages dispatched yesterday by
tho Governor to the Norfolk County
ia ions. which appear intent on re-
uewinE tho controversy over the school
supcriutcndencN Of that division at to-
morrows meeting. strongly discourage
ed such a move. The board, they were
told. is fully informed 10 the
situation and would not be disposed
to reopen tn" case.
The Norfolk County controversy de-
vclopcd the charge that J. I. Fcntress
one Of the hspirauts for tho appoint
ment, is til" candidate Of the fusion
lists. This promptly and vigorous
~ denied by Mr.. Fentress's friends.
Attnrncy-Gcncral Pollard telegraph
ri the following statement bearing on
w" tonlFoNt!S! 10 .NoTIOih news
paper:
Information has come TO mo that
allegations r"pr"s"uting political fac
lions in Norfolk County arc being
formed to appear before the state
BOARD of Education Wednesday in be-
half Of applicants for supcrint cndcnt
Of schools Of Norfolk County. ! wish
- say that such movements would, in
my opinion, mjurc the applicants in
L
formed aud will make il more difficult
for the board TO md among those
now applying competent superin-
tcudcnt, who would not he Handicapped
by tho anta."uisms usually cnScndcr-
ID in such factional fights.
WANTS POLITICS LEFT
OlT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS
., superintendent first OF all. should
l." fairly qualified. both Ivy training
aud by experience. In addition to
this, h" should enter upon his duties
with the sympathy aud cooperation of
the members Of all parties and fac
ttous. My sympathy for one Of the
factions in Norfolk County is Of long
standing. and is well known. hut this
s not political fight. Schools exist
for all Of the children OF tho people.
'C;rown-un men may give and re-
coivc blows in their political fights.
but their children are innocent by
ISLANDERS and should not be struck.
Their educational interests are too
sacred to nc jcopa rdzcd in tho politi-
cal antagonisms Of their fathers.
therefore appeal to the friends of
education In Norfolk County TO dis
courage any step which would involve
the schools In partisan politics and
thus make more difficult the task of
tho man who is to preside over the
/ early educational dcstinies of limo
cent children. who are too young to
protect their own interests.
Tho applicants and their friends
have already appeared before the
hoard The record and testimonials
of each Of the candidates arc now he
ing considered with the view OF Sc
Letting the man who can best serve
the educational interest Of Norfolk
County. Any further injection Of par
,isau politics can but Injure the inn
portant interest We are all seeking &c
serve
Discuss Church Removal
( The question OF removing the Gract
4 street baptist Church. Al Foushce an'
Il Grace Streets was taken uD last nigh