The log cabin Democrat. [volume] (Conway, Ark.) 1908-current, 1920-06-12
PARSONS ELECTED
CO.SUPER|NTENDEN7
TAKES OFFICE JANUARY
New County Education Board Meet,
Here, Organizes and Elects Coun-
ty Superintendent.

County Examiner A. A. Parsons, Jr.,
of Mt. Vernon was elected county sup
erintendent of schools by unanimous
vote, at the first meeting of the
county board of education, which met
and organized at the courthouse here
today Mr. Parsons was elected for
term of Is months, beginning JAN
uary l, 1921, and ending June 30,
1922, at salary of 1900 per year.
Supt. T. F. Forrest of Clarendon,
former county examiner of Faulkner
county, was the only other applicant
for the position. The election was
had in executive session, following
which the statement was made that
the qualifications of both applicants
were discussed and that both were
highly commended, but the board fin
ally decided to make the election of
Mr.. Parsons by unanimous vote.
Mr.. Parsons will continue in his po-
sition as county examiner until the
expiration of his term December 81, ,
1920.
Members of the board met at II
O'Clock this morning and took the oath
of office before County Clerk John
Reeves. They then convened in the
circuit court room and held their first
meeting Organic ton was effected
by the election of Attorney J. c. Clark
of Conway, who was chosen for the
five-year term, as chairman, and W.
NJ. Harper of Enola as secretary. Mr..
Harper, however, will serve only until
the superintendent assumes his Of
flee, when he will become ex-officio
secretary of the board The other
members of the board in attendance
were Dr. T. c. Watson of Mt. Yer
non, Joe Troutman of Providence and
j. H. Hall of Hamlet.
The board adjourned subject to the
call of the chairman, it being under
stood that the next meeting would be
held soon after the sheriff files his
annual settlement in July, when a
meeting will be held for the purpose
of apportioning the school funds.
Practically all of the jurisdiction
over the funds, district boundaries,
transfers, etc, of school districts,
which has heretofore been in the coun-
ty court, is now with the county board
Of education.
Following the announcement of the
boards selection for superintendent,
Mr.. Forrest requested the Log Cabin
Democrat to publish the following
statement:
Since my name was published as
an applicant for the position of coun-
ty superintendent of Faulkner coun-
ty | would appreciate a word of
explanation to my friends in the
county.
I'm the first place, l did not think
our names should have been publish
ed, as the same methods should pre-
vail as in the selection of teacher
for city or rural school. This
seems unfair to the defeated candi-
date. The position is not political
and is supposed to be filled from a
standard of preparation and ability
on the part of the applicants.
Il wish to state that | did not
ask friend to support me, had no
political prestige in the county what
ever and did not have any voice in
the placing Of the county board men,
bers on the ticket for election at the
May meeting. might have made a
different arrangement, but l was
under the impression that a man was
Ito be selected solely from his quail
ficati0as
l made application on this basis:
| had record Of six years experience
as county examiner in the county, had
six years of city supervision, nearly
four years of normal taining-and
hold state life license. I showed tes-
timoniais from every place where I
have taught showing successful work.
If the other man had a better re-
cord, then he is the man to serve the
people. | made my application IN the
open, as have never known any
other tactics. l mention this because
my name was published in the paper
as an applicant and ask for space
as matter Of defense.
with best wishes for the success
of tho caboo1c T 80,