The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-12-01

l. HIS Will DC du improvements, Jul IL
will rest with the choice that the
County Commissioners shall make of
u person to carry out their views and
intentions, whether enc change for
the better shall be entirely eficacious.
tSaita6iktty Of character Ia the person
selected as Superintendent should be
Sin0 qua, non. Ignorant persons of
brawny make have not the sensibility
common among persons of cultivation
and more generous breeding, and con-
sequently they are more apt to abuse
authority when it is confided to them.
All such persons are untitled to man.
age properly an institution which
calls for the constant exercise of all
the humanitarian attributes of How
ard. Let no one suppose that the
position of manager of the County
Asylum is sineeure. lt is one of
difficulty, and the man and woman
who Jointly assume the responsibility
of its management, should possess in
telligence, humanity, forbearance, pa
thence, integrity and discretion. If
they have not those qualifications, no
amendment in its future economy need
be anticipated.
The letting of the County Asylum
is advertised to take place In the en-
suing month of December. The
County Commissioners are legally
empowered to award contract. They
are also the legally constituted guar
dams OF the poor. So far as my
knowledge and observation have ex-
tended, they have ever manifested a
liberal disposition In providing for
their wants and ministering to their
comfort. Were they somewhat more
vigilant and inquisitive in overseeing
the treatment of their defeneeless
wards, they would deserve unmixed
appreciation. Recently they have
made additions to the county estab-
lishment, and now there is ample ac-
commodations for all the pauper poor.
But the great requisite is a kind
hearted, sensible, judicious person to
direct the management. They might
erect on the county farm a struct-
ure equal in magnificence and
convenience equal to Windsor Pal
ace replenish it with furniture
to correspond, and furnish the poor
with the entertainment of princes;
but were they to make the mistake of
putting an ignorant, obstinate. mer-
cenary tyrant into the position of
superintendent, the appointment
would render their munifcence a
curse rather than blessing to those
for whose benefit it was especially in
stituted. 1t Is to be hoped, therefore,
that our County Commissioners will
exercise a sound discretion in select
ing superintendent. and that their
oh ola Ill hn op,vSIn1 rw4v,Ha41 -
governed by the fitness of the indi-
vidual for the position rather than by
the poverty of his bid.
/ have purposely avoided going into
the details of the past management
of the institution, and have rather
limited censure than expressed it. My
object has been to impress the minds
of our Commissioners with the fact
that change In the management of
the county asylum is imperatively
needed, and that the change ought to
be an excellent one. Though l have
given no individual instances of inhu-
man ill.usage, it must not be supposed
that nothing of the kind has ever hap
pened. Many a soul narrowing incl
dent connected with the Poor House
could be related. Many a poor wretch
has entered its precincts that might
by ordinary treatment have regained
health and strength, but no, he was
suffered to laugulsh and perish in all
the horrors of restitution. The sit
uation Of such a person perishing in
all the horrible fOrlornness of wretch
edness, although on land and among
Christians, might be compared to
that Of Coleridge's " Ancient Mari
ner." whose pathetic complaint amid |
his lonely anguish, would equally suit /,
the lips aud portray the feelings of
the dying, forsaken pauper:
"AIone, alone, all, all alone
Alone on wide, wide sea
And never saint took pity on
My soul in agony"
Let us confidently hope that our |
County Commissioners will not dis |
appoint our reasonable expectations |
in this matter; that the month of |
December, 1863, will begin new era |
in the history of our County ASYLUM; /
and that the helpless and the afflicted |
within its limits will enjoy, under
other and better auspices, brighter
existence. Moreover, let US hope that
the philanthroplc among our citizens
will condescend occasionally to visit
the Asylum aud learn from actual
whether anything can be
achieved to increase its efficiency.
Ali such deeds are pleasing to the
sight of the Recording Angel, and |
He will enter them In his register to
be read on that dread day, when to
have given cup of water in Gods
name to the despised of the earth
may be sufficient to purchase the de-
lights of Paradise. In conclusion, I |
would respectfully recommend that
our ministers Of the Gospel OCCASION
Ally visit the institution. They have
been rarely seen within its precincts
during the last fourteen years. This
ought not to be, because Christ and
His Apostles were famous for visiting
.he abodes of misery, and seldom in
.ruded into the mansions OF the fortu-
nate, the happy, the wealthy and the
great. The example is gerry illustrious.
INDEX.