The log cabin Democrat., 1920-05-07
ATTORNEY GENERAL RULESON ELECTION COUNTY SCHOOL BOARDS Mir. ArbuckIe Says. However. that TechnicaIities Should be Avoided
 in First Election.

The ruling of Attorney General John D. Arbuckle that candidates for membership on the county boards of education to be elected for the first time on May l5 must be certified by the election commissioners and must have previously paid fee of $3, will not affect the validity of the election of board in this county, where these requirements were not met in the be- lief of several who have studied the new law. In rendering the opinion Mr Arbuckle said that where the election was held in good faith tech mcalities should not be too strictly adhered to.
 The provisions of the law itself are rather uncertain as to the manner of conducting the election. In one sec ton it is stated that the eletcion should be held under the provisions of the general election law so far as applicable, This would seem to place it under the control of the board of election commissioners, yet the cleo tion is held at the annual school meet ings in the various districts, and not at the township precincts for which the election commissioners appoint judges.
 In the case of Faulkner county, fol- lowing mass meeting at which about Is men from all sections of the county new board, petitions asking that these names be placed on the ballots were signed and filed with the county cleo tion commissioners. The latter, how ever, assumed that the school election was not within their jurisdiction and took no action on the petitions Later County Examiner A. A. Parsons, Jr., ordered ballots printed bearing the names of all those nominated at the mass meeting, except some who had withdrawn. These ballots are now be ing distributed to the districts by County Treasurer T. J. Bullion
 In rendering an opinion on the ques- tion to J, A. Blackford of Craighead county yesterday Mir Arbuckle said:
 "So long as the election of mem bers for the county boards of educa- ton is held in good faith, since this is the first election under this statute, technicalities and technical demands should be avoided Those connected with the election of these members should look to a substantial compli- ance with the law rather than to com pliance in detail of the terms
 MT. Arbuckle also gave several def- mite directions for the coming election, which vii Ibe held May 15.
 CD Candidates for membership shall be nominated in the same man. her as candidates for county offices, by the chairman and secretary of any convention of delegates or the can vassing board of any primary cleo tion; by petition signed by not less than 50 nor more than 000 electors of the county This petition must be presented with a receipt from the treasurer or collector of each county, showing the payment of $3 by each candidate
 @ It is necessary that the S3 fee be paid before the election commis- sioners shall certify out the names of the candidates.
 go The elections in the various school districts are held in the same manner as other school elections in the district The election will be un- Ger the supervision of the election commissioners as far as the nomina- ton and certifcation of candidates is concerned and not otherwise
 (4) The expense of furnishing bal lots, poll books and tally sheets shall be paid out of the common school fund. After the election is held the returns of the school election in the matter of county board members shall be made by the directors or election off cers as now provided by law. to the county clerk of the county. within 15 days after the election l. Is the duty of the county clerk, this year, OF or before June 5. 1920, 10 canvass and tabulate the votes and announce tho result and notify the candidates No were duly elected