Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1881-04-09
THE INSANE ASYLUM.

the institution:
DR.. w. J. Observation-Disclosures
/ DR.. NJ. i. Hullihen-lst Assistant
DR.. j. l.. Lewis-2d Assistant.
Mrs. Mary b. INSTRUMENTATION.
Miss Ida McGee-Assistant.
The present able and efficient SUI
perintendent, DIR. Camden, has been
relieved, and the new Superintend-
ent will take charge on the 18th of
May.
| We look upon the removal of DR..
Camden as almost a calamity to the
institution. He has been the Super
intendent for number of years past;
Is thoroughly familiar with all its
workings and with the condition
and treatment of every patient in
the institution. We know nothing
of the ability or fitness of DR.. Bland,
his successor, for the position. He
may be an able physician and possess
ed offine administrative abilities but
it is worse than idle to say that he can
take charge of the institution, With
out experience and a knowledge
of its wants, and discharge the du-
ties of Superintendent with the same
advantage to the inmates and the
best interests Of the State, as his
predecessor, whose experience and
knowledge has been acquired by a
long service in the position. 1t may
be claimed that DR.. Bland, with
na99 service and experience, will be-
come as competent and we'll fitted
for the position as DR.. Camden.
That may be, but In the meantime
the interests of the State and the
inmates may suffer greatly.
The State has no charge which SO
much deserves its greatest care and
attention as its insane. The officers
of the institution should by no means
hold their positions subject to the
whims or dickering of politicians. 1t
is too sacred trust to be the subject
of political trade and barter. 1t
should be discovered from all parti-
san bias. The officers should be Sc
lected solely with view to their
entire fitness for the position, and
should hold their positions SO long
as they discharged the duties faith
fully, intelligently, and for the best
interests Of the inmates and of the
State.
All the annual reports of the in
stitution, and its Board of Directors,
since DR.. Camden has been the SUI
perintendent show the very best pos
sible management of it's affairs; in
fact, it is claimed that no similar
institution in any State has been
more intelligently and economi-
cally conducted. There has new
er been a word of complaint
from any source, but, on the
contrary, the very highest common
dations of his management have been
annually announced by the board,
and endorsed by the press, the legis-
lature and the people. We have not
heard that there was any cause as
signed for his removal other than to
make place for personal and po-
litical friend of the board. 1t will
be a sorry day for our public charit-
able institutions when they become
the objects of barter and trade
among aspiring and ambitious poll
ticians; when their officers are to be
appointed, not so much for efficiency
and fitness, as for the service they
can be to this or that political aspir-
ant who may control their selection.
The fact that DIR. Camden has
been removed without cause; and
the further fact that his administra-
ton of the affairs of the asylum has
met with high commentator and
approval from all sources, would in
dictate that it is the result solely of
scheming political ambition which
seeks the accomplishment of future
ends through this mode of procedure.
If such turns out to be the fact, it
will not only ignominiously fail OF
its purpose, but viii crush those en-
gagged in it.
The people of this State will never
permit their public schools or char
liable institutions to become mere
shuttlecocks in the hands of politi-