The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1918-07-05
Board Meeting.

after passing on some routine mat
tiers, including the approval of teach
ers in the city schools recently elect
ed by the Board of Education, pro
ceeded to a question that is now Civ
ing our citizens some trouble. This
is the election of a Superintendent
Of the City Schools.
Two years ago the Superintendent
was elected by the Board of Educa-
ton for term of three years, and
on Friday, the 21st ult., at a meet
ing of the Board of Education, Mrs.
Geo. A. Gibbs, ST., presented reso-
luton declaring that election invalid
and the Office of Superintendent of
the City Schools vacant. The rcso-
luton was lost.
Last Tuesday night a written
opinion was handed in by the City
Attorney, w. M. Miles, and present.
ed to the Board of Mayor and Alder
men. The attorney held that the
Board of Education had failed to
comply with the law in it's resolu-
ton undertaking to set aside the
provisions of the code for the cleo
ton of superintendent and teachers
annually. The resolution itself was
not legally drawn and it was fur
Their void from the fact that the law
requires publication of such a reso-
luton. This was not done. Besides
there were other defects. An opinion
from Judge John G. Cooper to the
same effect practically was read. It
was little more elaborate and con-
elusive. 1t was shown that the Board
OF Education had proceeded without
due regard for the spirit as well as
the letter of the law in the election
OF Superintendent Mute for a term of
three years. An ordinance was there
fore adopted by an aye and nay vote,
all voting aye but one, declaring the
office of the Superintendent of the
City Schools vacant and ordering
the Board of Education to proceed
with the election of Superintendent
as the law directs.
DR.. Miles, member of the Board
OF Education, was present, and made
an address, in which he made the
statement, and a very logical one, |
that the Superintendent did not have
the undivided support of the people |
OF Union City, and it mattered not |
how well qualified and capable, his
usefulness to the schools in Union
City has reached limit. 1t is there
fore in the interest of the school and
everybody concerned that he be not
elected for another year.
There is no question of the fact
that there is serious opposition to
the Superintendent in Union City,
however much it may be decried.
The friends of Mr.. Mute allowed
the gauge of battle to be drawn in
January in the. election of the Board
Of Mayor and Aldermen. The issue
Joined was Mute or anti-Nute, and on
that issue, without peradventure of
doubt, the election resulted. Men
actually laid aside friendships as far
rs candidates were concerned, and
voted on the issue straight. The re-
suit was that the anti-Nute candi-
iates were elected. Therefore to say
hat opposition to Mr.. Mute is not of
my consequence is to misrepresent
he facts.
We must say further that the
present members of the Board of
Mayor and Aldermen were elected to
zee that Mr.. Nute's connection with
he City Schools is severed, within
he law of course, and if they fail in
his then they have violated the
rust reposed in them and deserve
lefeat at the next election. If de-
nocracy means the rule of the ma
GRITTY then they know their duty.
The teachers ratified by the Board
t Mayor and Aldermen are as fol-
ows:
Miss R. Adele Allen, English;
Hiss Ruth Lloyd, commercial depart |
1ent; Miss Cassie Hamilton, high
chool; Miss Lydia Stone, house
old economics and domestic science;
Hiss Mamie Hamilton, Miss Matte
'emple, Miss Bessie May Clements,
liss Pearl Floyd, Miss Callie How !
II, Miss Marene Allen, Miss Lucille 7
osey. Miss Kate Kirkman, Miss !
Elizabeth Chambers, Miss Minnie
arksdale, Mrs. Beth Sutherland.
Mr.. John Sheffield was present for
ne citizens of the southern part of
irst street asking for some improve 7
tents in water and lights and a wa 7
er main. The walk from the resi-
ence of Colonel Field south two
locks is out of repair and a new