Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1924-03-08
WIGGINS REPLIES TO.
COMMIT TEEMII|IAIA FRED
ARTHUR'S STAT MENT
Analyses School Head Contro-
versy From Standpoint Of
County Residents
WANTS LAW ENFORCED
Arguments of Americas Man
Are Called Both Crude
And Illogical
WANTS LAW ENFORCED

L. L. Virgins, of DeSoto, who
disagrees with Fred B. Arthur
Americas member of tn ecounty
Democratic Executive Committee,
today expressed his views on the
action of the committee in permit
ting Americas residents to partlcl-
nate in the March 10 primary for
the nomination of county school sup
erintendent. According to Virgins
the law should be upheld by the
committee until the courts decide as
to it's constitutionality, indicating
that the committee in its action al
lowing Americas voters to particl-
pate in the primary deliberately
avoids test of the law in its ap-
rlication, rather seeking such a test
in the "breach" of the statute it
self, putting the burden thereby
self, putting the burden thereby
upon the rural resident.
"The people of Americas" said
Virgins, asked the legislature to
erect for them separate and dis
tinct school system, which request
was granted. Following this, the
Legislature, by legal enactment dis
qualified those residing within the
boundaries of the Americas school
system for participation in the
election of the school superintend-
ent for the rest of the County, Oil
the fair and just principal that those
to be superintendent should be the
sole judges as to who should BE
their superintendent.
"This law now reposes in Con-
stitutional form among the other
laws Of Georgia and there it should
remain undisturbed until its con-
stitionalilty is sought to be tested
in it's application and not in its
breach.
"Apply the law, and let those who
object to its application put it to
to the test and not those who OBJ
ject to its breach.
"This law is directed specifically
to the election of the superinteH-
dent, but says nothing about selec-
ton of the Nominees in the primary
Nor doe sit say one word as to the
residential location of the candi-
date.
But the primary with us is tant-
amount to an election, the election
being but a ratification of the re-
suits of the primary. The spirit
and intention of the law in herein.
and resides in the primary and II
the law is preached in it's spirit an
intention it had as well be breach,
ed in its letter. He who would
breach the spirit and intention of
the law is preached in it's spirit auo
breach it in its letter should the OPP
portunity come to hand.
"Mr. Arthur says this legisla
ton under consideration is crude
and argues that to deprive the vot-
ers of Americas of voting for the
school superintendent would be IN
principle, the same as to deprive
them Of voting for Commissioners
of Roads and Revenues, when 'ev-
cry intelligent man knows that the
school superintendent, as to fin
ances, is but a ministerial agent of
the county Board of Education,
whereas the Commissioners of roads
and revenues are financial lords III
county matters. Arthur's argu-
ment hereon is 'crudity' in a superla.
tive degree.
again crude Arthur argues thai
inasmuch as some residents oe
Americas own property outside of
Americas, subject to taxation for
the support and maintenance of
schools, therefore they should have
the right to vote for school super
intendent.
Does it not occur to Arthur tina,
some people residing outside of
Americas are property owners in
Americas, which property is sub
ject to taxation for the support and
maintenance of the Amerfcus
schools? Would he be in favor of
CONTINUED On Page Five)