Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1856-11-22
/ Eg- We cheerfully give place to the fol


Eg- We eheerfully give place to the fol-
Towing communication from a Farmer"
We have no doubt it would be gratifying to
DR. Stribling's numerous friends, and to the
friends Of tie Asylum, generally, if he
would reconsider his determination to rc-
tire from the position he has so long oceu-
pied and in which he has been so eminently
useful Such, at least, we believe is the
feeling in this community
To the Editor Of tie indicator.
SIR-I fndin the advertisement of Mr..
Niche, President Of the Board of Visitors.
of the Western Lunatc Asylum, contained
in the last issue of your paper, confrma-
ton of the news that DIR. L. l. Stribling
has resigned the position Of Superintendent,
which lie has held for many years, and in
which be has effected so much good and
achieved such an enviable and widespread
reputation; and avail myself of the occasion
to make a few suggestions to the Board,
which I trust they will believe proceeds
from no impertinent disposition on nay part
to interfere with the discharge of their Off
cal duties, but solely from the interest
feel in great public charity, no doubt in
common with a large majority of the com
munity.
1t is, | believe, generally conceded in
this community, where Dir. S. is known, and
in which the results of his treatment of the
insane have been more particularly observ-
ed, that he possesses rare qualities for the
discharge of the duties of his station. These
qualities are of a two-fold nature, and arc.
seldom found united in the same person,
Icomprehonding professional learning and
ability, sad practical acquaintance With
the forms of business, with capacity for
administration. The. most inexperienced
can see at glance what difficulties sur
round the head of az establishment contain
ing, probably, NOT far from 600 persons,
consisting of Assistant Physicians, Ward
Keepers, Stewards, Walters, Laundresses,
Gardeners, Engineers, Laborers, &C., and
something over 400 insane, nearly moiety
of whom are females, and each one requiring
a different or at least modified form Of
medical treatment. It is useless, therefore,
to dilatc on this subject. All agree that
it requires high qualities, hard to be found
IN one man; and the question then occurs,
what are the prospects of the Board for pro-
curing such a successor to DR.. s.? I haz-
ard nothing in saying that they are slim;
though there is much professional and ad-
administrative ability in the State, unfortu-
nately they are not united
therefore think the causes oaght to be
ascertained, # such course IS not disagree
able to Dir. S., which induce him to sever
his connection With the institution, and that
the Board should remove them if possible.
Possibly DIR. S. has been saddled with more
labor than is proper, and agreeable to him,
or possible to be performed,. IF SO, his la
bors should be iightened. I understand that
among his numerous duties he is required
to audit all the accounts of the institgtion.
This is wrong. A clerk should attend to
this important minutia. Possibly his sala-
ry is too small-and this l believe. SINCE
it was raised to its present figure the ex-
penscs Of living have been greatly increas-
ed, and what was tLen {. fair compensation
is now wholly Inadequate Bat l will not
undertake to discuss this matter, as all Of the
considerations | could suggest will no doubt
occur to the Board | make these remarks
because believe the public interest would
be greatly advanced by retaining DR.. S. in
his present position, and with no "ulterior
designs" They may go for what they are
worth And I wish it understood that /
make them without the knowledge Of DR., s,
or any member of his family, CT indeed any
connection of his, and are simply the views
of gentleman in no wise connected by
blood or marriage with him Or his family
in no way connected with the Hospital, but
merely apd independent and unprotending
FARMER.
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