Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-02-11


SENEcA's MORALS.
We had not intended to take any part in the
,namiable controversy which is now going on In
our town-and we do not intend to engage in il
now, further than to present to the public sucf
a statement as may enable them to form cor
rect opinion as TO the merits Of the cause. II
do this, it would be pertinent to enquire wha
has given rise to the dissatisfaction now existing
in the minds OF a certain fen; and whether they
are actuated by proper motives. We are not IN
possession of the requisite information, as te
these matters, but the conviction is being tas
tened upon the minds of many, that other than
purelp benevolent or patriotic notires has engen.
dered the present state Of ieeling-and that some
concealed design or prsmedloted reuengei is sought
to be accomplished, are ideas entitled to consid-
Grafton in community as intelligent as ours
TO saw that the dissatisfaction arises from tbs
impression the tlisaflected wish to make, that
tho Western Lunattc Asylum is made scctaria1
Institution for the purpose of dispensing houn-
ties to members or friends Of the Episcopalan
Church, is an idea so supremely ridiculous and
contemplate, as to beunwor.hy OF serious regard:
and while it is true that a majority OF the Board
of Directors are either members of, or friendly to-
that branch OF the Christian Church, it affords
no Just ground for any such inputation. We had
always thought the officers were selected be-
cause Of their peculiar fitness to fill such sta
tions, without regard TO their .denon1inational
character We know there are some men in
every community who think they possess the
wis lon OF Solomon, bnt as the discovery has
not been made by others than themselves, it
would be prudent to wait until That time arrives,
before they attempt to set up as instructors to
their seniors in age.
Over $50, 900 are expended annually, in the
County of Augusta, by the Directors OF the Asy-
lum-at least $685. 900 thereof is for the purchase
of.provsions, &C., for the unfortunate inmates.
In making these purchases, the Executive Com
nlittee, are required by law, to buy at the lowest
price, and this they do through the Steward, who
is the purchasing aeent--and all articles con-
tracted for are rejected unless they are OF the
best quality, and these are bought Of him who
will sell the lowest, whether he be Jew or Gen
tile, NIahomedan OF Christian. The salaries o.
the officers and employees, varying as they 10
in amount. yet making a heavy item in the ex-
pen7litue, are divided among Presbyterians
Methodists, Roman Catholics and Episcopalians
II the dissatisfaction arises from the cause ana
for the reason assigned, the Christian spirit en-
hibted in the scramble tor the almighty dollar:
seems to us, to be, not very commendable. lit
be, as some suppose, a systemaized plot to de.
stroy the usefulness Of an Institution, which is,
and ought to be- the pride and glory Of the State,
because of some pique created by refusal on the
part of the Directors to purchase provisions, &C.,
whether good or bad) of certain persons, these
ought to receive as doubtless, they will, the
credit of possessing more selfshness than 6eneuo-
lenes, and more rerange than either. This, we
suspect, is the true secret.
1t is fact, not generally known, that the d.
rectors are required by law, to purchase the Gro
ceres, Clothing, &c, used at the Institution,
at the North-thus saving to the State, annually,
hundreds of dollars. 1t is fact that tie money
received from pay patients, for board, &c, now a.
mounts to near ten thousand dollars, while during
the first or years of the Institution, that fund
welded but about as many hundreds. To what
cause is this increase TO be attributed but to the
high character the Institution has acquired! But
DR. Stribling's salary is too high, say the obJec-
tors. We doubt if any complaint on this head
would be made, if the Office were held by any
other person, and who was a member OF ano-
ther branch of the Christian Church. But let
US see. AT the Asylum at Worcester (Mass.,)
which averages 800 patients, the Superintendent
and Physician gets salary OF $780, a house
and furniture provided, and horse and servant,
and all are boarded at the State expense. He
is aided by two assistant Physicians, and the
necessary attendants. How does this contrast
with Dr. Stribling's salary? AT the Pennsylvania
ASYLUM, near Philadelphia, which averages 200
patients. the Superintendent and Physician gets
a salary of $4,000 and house furnished him,
he boarding himself-there is one assistant Ply
sician. How does this compare with DR.. Strlb-
ling's, at The Western Asylum i'll Virginia, soon
to have 44o patients, and is the second largest
Institution in the United States? Some people
exact very high compensation for their own ser
vices yet would make very niggardly allow
ance to others, probably, because they consider
their own services the more valuable.
But there is family influence, and
that's objectionable--it certainly is, it exerted
to put unworthy and incompetent persons in Of
fee, but it cannot be shewn that any such influ-
ence has been exerted, or any such bad appoint
ment made But how does this cry contrast
with the Magistracy of the County? Is the
Mauisiracv not confined 10 a "lavored teW,''-
and does it not ':run in families ~ And have
not some Of them lorded it over the people OF
Augusta for years Members have been known
10 leave the Bench because relative was con-
nected with the trial at bar, notwithstanding an
oath had been taken impartially to decide be-
tween ALL persons. But enough of this. The
quaint adage, that "kissing goes by favor" is
everywhere applicable, and there always will be
. patty that will grumble if they are not kissed