The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-10-22
INDEPENDENTS TO
MAKE RACE FOR
BOARD TOGETHER
Five Free LanCes Have Pooled
interests ard Wit Risk
Support on NonPoiiticai
Basis.

Five candidates for the school,
Board, Aho announced independently.
have decided TO pool their interests
and make the race as one ticket.
Two announcements for the board
were made Thursday afternoon.
They were Joseph NJ. Samtleld. edl-
tor Of the Jewish Spectator, and Ed
ward Kennedy, local insurance man.
These, with Mrs. 3. ]. Ellis, promi-
nent suffrage leader; Mrs. Mamie
Cain Browne, former teacher In the
schools. and W. N. Page. former
state senator, all OF whom announced
their caadidacy some days ago, Will
constitute the new ticket.
At a meeting Of the candidates
Thursday afternoon platform.
pledging the ticket, II elected, TO keep
the schools out of politics, 10 run the
schools on a strict budget system
and 10 make merit the yardstiek by
which all qualifications TO teach
would be measured, was adopted
They promise entire absence OF IA
voritiSm and partisanship in the Sc
lection OF the teaching force, as well
as all other lines OF work when
may come before the board.
The new ticket wished the public
TO understand that they were Just
what their name implied. absolutely
independent. Acting in line with
this thought. they propose to make
the race without any affiliation'
whatever. with either OF the legis-
lative tickets. They will conduct a
lively campaign, but this will be
under the auspices Of their own
campaign committee, now In tho
course of formation, according to an
nouncement from the candidates, and
the cause Of the independents will
be amply discussed before the pub
lie.
In connection with their independ-
ence. the candidates are calling at
tention TO the fact that the school
board operates under a special char
ter entirely separate and distinct
from the city charter or any other
form OF government, and that 1t was
the original intention of the trainers
Of the charter 10 have the board I'M
hampered in Its work for the good
of the children OF Memphis by any
political or semipolitical government
The platform upon which the ticket
will ask the support of the voters
follows:
I'VE. the following Independent can
didates for the school board, each OF
whom announced individually, have de-
cided that the interests Of, the schools
will best be served and our campaigns
best be promoted by uniting In u single
ticket.
therefore, we announce ourselves as
an independent school board ticket on
the following platform Of pledges:
"FIrst--That the provisions of the
federal school survey, both as TO fl
nances, salaries and educational require
ments, be strictly carried out.
''Secpnd--That the schools be ad-
mlnIstered without politics or partisan
ship and free from control by any fac
ton or clique,
"Third-That full publicity be estab-
lished In all school board matters and
that secret meetings. star chamber SEES
slons and hidden committee control be
abolished
"Fourth-That budget system of
finances be strictly observed, said
budget to be drawn publicly and with
the benefit OF full popular discussions
and suggestions, and that the school
system be kept entirely independent OF
any other branch Of the city govern
"Fifth--That the housing and sanitary
conditions OF the schools be improved |
at the earliest possible moment.
"Slxth-That the appointment, pro- |
motion and control Of all teachers be |
based entirely OH merit and experience, |
with the elimination Of favoritism and |
political consideration.
ION the above platform, to the faith |
full performance OF which we earnestly /
and sincerely pledge ourselves, We ask |
the votes q the people Of dr, Memphis
MRS, SAMUEL J. ELLIS.
'EDW. KENNEDY,
wv. n. PAGE.
Jos. NJ. SAaiFIELD."