The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-08-25
THE BENEVOLENT INSTITU.
TIONS.
Managed by the. Republicans for
Partisan Purposes.

PARTISAN EufpOSeSs
The fact that the Democracy of the
State of Ohio dared to present a dec.
laratien of principles which necessa-
rily arraigned the Republican party,
leads the Radical press into bitter
ness of denunciation that is not less
stupid than mendacious. In censid-
ering the resolution declaring that the
BENEVOLENT institutions of the State
should be free from partisan change
or appointment, the Cincinnati Com
mercial is led to remark:
eff ever there was timo In Ohio
when men of opposing politics were
hunted out Of the charitable and pu-
nitive institutions of tho State, it was
while Bishsp was Governor. Having
cleared the Republicans out of all the
important offices, search was made
among the scullions and coal heayers,
and W wherever Republican was found
even in those menial offices he was
elected summarily. The proposition
is sound one, but its only illustration
in practice has been under Republican
Governors"
Now, mark how plain tale will
put this petty trickster down." Du-
ring the Democratic administration of
Governor Bishop, the Superintendents
of the following State institutisns
were Republicans: Blind Asylum,
Deaf and Dumb Asylum, CleY elsnd
Insane Asylum, Idiotic Asylum, and
the Reform School for Girls, at Della
ware. Democratic Superintendent
were placed over the Columbus, Day.
ton, and Athens Asylum for the In.
sane, the Lancaster Reform School
and the Soldiers Orphans Home al
Xenia. Thus, of the ten institutions
changes were made in but half, and
these, to use familiar quotation, "ir
order that the affairs might be eff
ciently and honestly administered.
The welfare of the inmates, and the
cause of humanity itself, demanded
that the system of government adopt
ed be changed, and the reform could
be made efficient and permanent only
by dismisslng the officials. In five
State institutions no changes were
made. Now, compare the policy adopt
ed by Governor Bishop with the course
pursued by Governor Foster. When
the Republican party. under his lead
succeeded to the control Of State af'
fairs, they found the institutions
equally divided between the two
parties. With the insicerity which
more than aught else disting uishes the
party, after having promised that no
changes should be made for partisan
reasOne, Foster had scarcely warmed
| the executive chair when every Dem.
ocratic official was summsrily dismiss-
ed aud his place given to a satellite OF
the oleagiuous Governor. In this, as
in everything else, there was found to
be vast difference between Republi
can preaching and Republican practice,
between Radical promises and Radical
performances. In the Columbus In
sane management, however, the read
iusters met with an obstruction which
delayed for time the contemplated
change in the superintendence OF that
institution. One of the trustees-and
strange to relate, q Republicau-was
found to be imbued with the old fash
ioned idea that the efficiency of the
| institution was first consideration,
and declined to vote for the disp;ace-
ment of DR.. Firestone. AS a cOnse-
ouence the recalcitrant trustee was
himself removed. and a more pliable
tool given his place. The removal OF
the Democratic Superintendent imme-
diately followed. There is not one of
the State institutions but is wholly
under Republican control, and is be-
ing used as an influence to further the
limited chances of Foster for election.
These are few of the facts of his
tory, which no honest Republican will
dare to deny. They briefly show the
Republican party of Ohio in its true
light-that of political organization
insincere and dishonest In it's prOfes
sions, and devoid of all regard for the
public welfare when such welfare
stands in the way of q possible polit-
icsl advantage.