The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1878-07-18
STATE BO4RD or CHARITIES

The State Board of Charities have
seen fit III their inscrutable wisdom 10
employ Denote as principal of the
Deaf and Dumb Asylum for another
year. This action of the board is in per
feet keeping with their efforts throughout
the investigation to shield De Motto from
the consequences Of his immoral conduct.
In fact the Board placed themselves in
the attitude Of advocates for Denote
rather than judges of his conduct. It
seems strange that the state should con-
tide the charge of institutions TO peo-
pie incapable of approaching the virtues
essential to proper discharge Of duties
requiring in the executor an unblemished
reputation and purity OF mind which
reveals itself in every act. The fimsv
excuse that kisses were of s'chaste pa
ture' makes the man who INDUCES in
these familiarities appear in the character
of a cantiug hypocrite as well libertine.
The Board which by its retention of De-
Motto gives sanction to the practices
which outrage decency, must be regarded
either as panderers to the lascivious
appetites Of the servants of the state, or
as men SO devoid of sense and judgment
as to be unable to discriminate between
morality and vice. Are their moral per-
ceptions so fatally blunted that they fail
to see the improperly of retaining man
at the head Of charitable institution
whose moral integrity is questionable?
Or do they openly defy public sentiment
which pronounces Denote an unfit per-
son for the position which through the
stupidity, or criminal indifference of
Which horn OF the delimma Will the
State Board take?
This is a matter in which the people
have an interest. They should express
their disapprobation OF the course pursued
by the Board, in no uncertain way. I'M
proper conduct should not enjoy immun-
ity because a stupid Board sees fit not
only to overlook, bat to reward and en-
| courage it by the continuance in Office
Of a man who it is generally believed
has disgraced his position by practices
bordering on immortality. Even if he
be innocent, the fact that he has lost the
confidence of the people are grounds
sufficient on which to justify and require
his removal. The persons attending this
institution are in The most impressible
period Of existence, 'in the morn and
| liquid dew of life, when contagious blast
ments are most imminent. Is it just, is
it proper to have them consigned to the
care of one whose reputation is seriously
smirched! DeMotte's guilt or innocence
has nothing to do with the culpability of
| the board 1t is sufficient for them to
know that he was guilty OF indiscretions
savoring of criminaity and that the pub
lie mind does not wholly acquit him of
the charges brought against him. Those
facts clearly outlined the duty OF the
Board. They have seen fit to pursue a
course which can not fail to meet with
uniform censure. They have demon
| strated their entire unftness to satisfac-
torily perform the duties incumbent on
them to discharge, They can not prop
erly sense the repugnance OF parents for
an institution in which the moral tone of
their daughters would suffer deprecia-
ton, or if not this, an institution which
has an unenviable reputation, though
perhaps unjustiy. They have proved
| themselves unfaithful servants and should
receive the reward of those who grow
remiss.