The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-01-19
Reaping the Whirlwind.


Gently become much concerned about the
charitable institutions of the State. The
is expressed that they may be
made pa,fizan by the party now in power.
This newborn fear is rather anus
ing in the light of few facts. that it is
well enough to state. Immediately after
the war. the Williamsburg Insane Asylum
was in a condition of chaos. Everything
connected with it was dilapidated; its
management inefficient and general cond-
ton stigma upon the State. A Northern
gentleman and Republican-whose name
we cannot now recall-was placed in charge
of it. He labored diligently and efficiently
for its rehabilitation. He brought system
out of disorder; instituted method through
out the establishment and placed ii upon
salutary and very efiieie basis of opera
ton. He was eminently qualified for the
duties assigned him. and discharged them
with great credit to himself and benefit to
the Institution. But he was Republican,
and for this cause, and this alone, so far as
the public were ever informed, he was dis
placed and an approved Conservative
Democrat elected to succeed him. The
present incumbent may be and DOUBTLESS is
well qualified for the position, but not a
whit better, if so well, as his predecessor.
But his politics were more acceptable, and
politics ruled in his selection. We do not
know that the institution has suffered from
the change. 1t may, or may not have done
so. We have heard nothing to the dispar-
agement of the present superintendent
and assuming that he fills the position accep-
tably, it only illustrates the fact that there
is no one man essential to the success OF
any institution or departmept-that
there are just as good men out of office as in
Office, and that government will go on, and
all its appointments be efficiently admins
tered. if those entrusted with duty are hon.
est and capable, whoever may be placed in
charge.
The Board of Directors of the Western
Lunatc Asylum, appointed to serve three
years just as Gov. Holiday was leaving the
Executive chair, has been guilty OF trans
parent partizan act. A rule had existed in
the bylaws of the institution. ever since
its establishment. that the Superintendent
should be elected annually. The. e had been
no variation from this practice during the
entire history of the asylum, until the
present board assumed charge. One OF its
first acts Was TO repeal this rule, and enact
another, fixing the term of the Saperinten
dent at three years. thus usurping the du-
ties of any new board the present Governor
might see proper to appoint. This move
ment, so radical in its nature, was ill-timed
and very iniudic ious. The members Of the
Board, from a knowledge Of their own par
tizan character, with one or two exceptions
and the time and circumstances OF their
appointment, expected, doubtless, to be re-
moved on the installation of GOV. Cam
ron. and it was to forestall the new board,
when it should be appointed. in the election
of officers OF its choice. to serve during
is manageme mt, that the rule we refer
to was rescnded and the term of Office pro-
longed. M one doubts the eminent quail
ticatOns OF the present superintendent, but
he might well eXclaim. save me from my
friends,' for this very act is a serious provo
Jon for the successors of the present
board to undo what has been done. And if
such should be the result, no one will be to
blame but the extreme partizans who have
been esniity or tia ie siartug disc0urtesv to
those who may succeed them. Then. again.
the present steward was elected. but his
declining health induced lin to tender his
resignation to take effect the LIST of april
next. The present salary was continued to
him, and after the lSt of April reduced. as
though his successor would be incapable, in
good health, of performing the duties now
imposed upon an officer in bad health. The
steward has been a faithful and etfic lent of :
ticer. and has served the State well and eff
ficiently in that office. But he did no more
than his duty, and has been fully paid for it.
Why this Board should choose to legislate
for its successor cannot be explained upon
considerations of decent respect for the ap-
pointees of Gov Cameron. In both these
instances. the most palpable usurpation is
apparent. and it is not unreasonable to sup
pose that Directors Of the most ordinary self
respect will resent the discourtesy. to use a
very mild term TO characterize such ac-
tion.
We make this statement with no purpose
to prejudice the officers in question in the
estimation of the new Board that may be
appointed, but to give the general public
some un Outstanding of the kind of nom
partizanism which has controlled the pres
ent Board. We do not hold the officers re-
sponsible for the shallow partizanism OF the
Board of Directors, who have thus invited
and provoked resentment from those
who may succeed them. There never has
been in the history OF the state charities,
more bitter and pronounced body OF parti-
zans than the present Board Of Directors
at the Western Lunatic Asylum. except
ing several of the members-appointed as
q reward for party serv ices, and not in ref
erence to any particular humane interest
they felt in the insttution. or especial
qualifications for the impartial discharge
of the duties incumbent upon them.
All UllG tuSl tpuLtODS OF lie sStaUG are us
contolled by appointees ofone political faith,
This is not accident. Aud apprehensive
that the same rule that has governed in
their appointment may be applied by the
party now in power, a clamor is being
raised about the state charities being placed |
under partizan control How does it hap |
pen. if partizan motive is not at the bot
tom of it, that ali these officers are of Gov.
Holidays political household? and how
much more partizan would it be to |
sGpplant them by appointees of the pres
ent Governors way of thinking?
We have no taste for this kind of discus. |
sion. Our whole nature regolts against the
introduction of politics into public e,oari- |
ties. But the responsibility for it should |
be located where it belongs, and if the
measuresthat has beep melted out.by the Vir-
ginia Bourbons should in Fetnrn be meted
cnt to them, they can in reason blame no.
body bpt themselves.
We are very sure Gov. Cameron will an