The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-05-06

citizepsS6f thsnity bf GolphbiS VIII be-
held ii Irwi4s Half todd, J, May &
OF IL Hclook MI, fotythe PURPOSE ot3apf,
pointibg iadditionaR delegates TO pspre::
sent Gs III the convention to meet on the
9th inst. II ANY EI!AEMS.
Mr.. ED1roR: It has leaked out that
certain members Of the Board Of Re-
gents of the Iunatio Asylum are making
an effort to control and absorb the pa.
ttonage OF that institution; that, instead
OF performing their duties as she legal
guardians OF the institutions, watching
over and protecting its every interest.
and doing all in their power to promote
its welfare, and enlarge its usefulness,
untrammelled by selfish motives or ac-
tuated by personal interests, they pro
pose to become the caterers or puryey-
ors of the institution, to furnish sup
plies, etc. It is extremely unfortunate
that any should so far forget themselves
as to prostitute their high trust to selfish
qualification. But there arc those, it is
said, who would rob graveyard for
filthy lucre; but those who would join
In conspiracy to rob public charity
would do worse; and from the character
Of the men who ara trying to manipulate
this job, we fear, should they succeed,
that the Asylum wonld come off second
best Besides this, it would be grent
injustice to those merchants who have
credited the Institution for months while
the TREASURY was exhausted. The Su-
perintendent, in his annual report, when
speaking of the embarrassed state of the
financos of-the institution, nays: "Were
it not for tho kindness and libernlity OF
some Of our merchants, we would have
to close he doors of the institution"
And now That there are funds for the
support Of the institution, to cut these
merchants off from oil share in it's pa
tronage men who have supported
the institution when it's treasury was
empty, and waited patiently for their
money-wonld, to say the least, be base
ingratitude-would be oursing the bridge
that bore us safely over the yawning
chasm. AS friend Of the Asylum,
hope {and believe) that there is too much
good sense in the Board of Regents to
allow any such improper, nay, outrage
GUS, conduct on the part OF any one OF
its members; for such course wonld
not only bring the institution into dis
repute, but would reflect very damaging
Iy upon the entire Board. Such is not
the practice. as far as we are informed,
in any institution of this kind either in
this country or in Europe. Everywhere
else, Boards OF Regents and Boards of
Trustees carefully avoid everything that
might be construed into pecuniary iu-
terest in the institution, the welfare Of
which has been entrusted to their keep
i inn. nd xvo = %er hok III
not deviate from this oommendable prac-
tice in other parts of the world. ,,''' 1,
We have reason to believe that the
! dark clouds that hung over and threat
ened the institution last summer have
passed away and left clear. sky, that
the present management is satisfactory,
| and that it would be'a public calamity,
greatly to be regretted, should those
who are its, appointed guardians permit
it's present prosperity to be compro-
missed or seriously damaged. We have
conadence in the Superintendent, and
trust he will not countenance any de-
signs that evil men may attempt to prac-
tice upon the institution, or that would
In any way mar the good name he has
earned among our people he should
bear in mind TINT whatever iniures the
institution over which he presides, in
jures him in the confidence OF the peo.
| pie, for he moro than any one else is
held responsible for the judcious ma
nagement Of its affairs.
Mr.. Editor, have written longer
letter than I intended, but could not
say less. This is o subject OF grent pub
lic Importance. and it is well for mon
who hold official positions of 80 delicate
q nature to know that the public eye is
upoA them, especially those whose repu-
tation lays them liable to suspicion. We
hope we will not have OCCASION to speak
OF this subject again, but if we do, We
will score little deeper.
A FRIEND OF THE INSTITUTION.
The Mobile (Ala.) Register, speaking OF
the South, says: .'We have done uur
duty to the cause of American liberty,