The Nevada journal., 1856-05-02

not consistent with justice and the inter-
ests of the State, that an assumption Of
power, unwarrantable by law, and detri-
mental to an unfortunate class of our pop
ulation, by any official, should be defend
ed or glozcd over by the press which is al
lied to the same cause as the magma po-
tens
Ours is partisan sheet, devoted to the
American party and its interests, but we
have ever deemed the interests of the
party were identical with those Of the
State, and whenever men elevated to
power by Americans shamclessly prosti-
tute themselves, and ignore principles OF
decency to reward party services alone,
they need expect neither appreciation nor
even silence from U.S.
Any public journal degrades itself, and
loses its character for truth and impartial
ity, by shouting hozannas on all occasions
to the acts of those who sway the rod Of
empire.
OF Governor Johnson's Administration
we have been an unfaltering supporter
In all his vetocs We believe he was
right. In all his acts we would that he
had been equally as correct. But in the
removal of DR.. Reid as Resident Physi-
clan to the Lunatic Asylum, We cannot
refrain from expressing a painful belief
that the Governor was laboring under men
tai and partisan dementia which ought to
subject him to harsher treatment than any
quack he may have appointed to the
Stockton ASYLUM administers to its crazy
inmates. Against the appointee to sue
ceed DIR. Reid, We know little and will
say less. But were he endowed more
highly than We think he is, lie cannot ad-
minister the affairs of tho Asylum more
satisfactory than the gentleman removed
has done. 1t is conceded that tho Insane
ASYLUM has been the only institution in
the State which has been managed credi-
tably.
While other institutions have been
leechss upon the Treasury to no good
purpose, not dollar Of money has ever
been misplaced or squandered by the Of
Gcers in charge Mt Stockton, but on the
contrary, everything has been conducted
in an economical and honorable manner.
Why then, remove an Officer who has
done well, and venture upon an untried
experiment Why not let we'll enough
alone' Why should an individual who
has proven himself honest and trustwor-
thy, and morc than all, peculiarly qualified
to treat that unfortunate class of patients
whose ailment is reason dethroned, be
ousted from his natural mission, to give
place to one whose qualifications are du-
bious, or at least, never tested?
But, especially, when law and justice
are outraged, and power usurped to attain
so miserable an end, is the conduct of an
executive reprehensihle.
There is not the color of authority un-
der which the Governor can remove DR..
Reid from the position he has so honora-
bly, filled. The Governor has only power
to Fill vacancies, and there is not, nor has
there been a vacancy in the office of Resi-
dent Physician for him to fill. The law
creating the Office declares that "tho Leg
islature shall elect on joint ballot one res
ident physician; who shall hold his Office
for two years, and until his successor is
appointed and qualified" There is moth
ing in the Statutes which gives the execu-
tive the right tc appoint where the Legis-
laturo fail to elect. He can only provide
for unforeseen emergencies In this case
everything was foreseon by the Legisla-
ture, and the fact that they did not act in
the promises, may be construed that they
deemed no change necessary or advisable
for the good of the inmates of the Asy-
lum, or for the interests of the State.
The executive can only provide for con-
tingences, not elected to happen by the
Legislature, and he has no right to supply
an omission.
lfthere is any authority by law to ap-
point successor to DR.. Reid, why were
his enemies, and even the Governor him
self, so anxious to procure the passage of
an act by the late Legislature, conferring
on the executive the right to make such
appointment The killing ofthe Bill for
the purpose is q proof positive that the
Legislature, in whose hands the matter
lay, desired no change.
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