The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-08-16
Partisan Assaults "n Public Institu'
lions.

Knowing that the State University is run
by the Democratic party as a political ma
chine the IxrRLLIGEScER has said 30.
knowing that the State Insane Asylum is
not conducted as it should be, the lETELLT-
GEScgg has said so. In each case we have
suggested an investigation.
The Democratic Legislature refused to
INQUIRE into the charges against the Uni
yersi.y management. Thus far the Direc'
t,rs Of the Insane Asylum, all Democrats,
have not expressed a desire to inquire into
the charges against hatinstitution, conduct
ed as a partisan and family affair We ARE
not snre that a Board that is ''solfd" would
vive lair hearing and render fair yer
diet; such IN inquiry ought TO be conduct
ed by committee OF the Legislature, SC
that the minority might take part in it
Bat we should be glad to see the Directors
take the matter in hand, and the 1STEl.Li'
GgScgn will give them what assistance ii
eau.
Having called attention TO these things
the ISrgLLlGEScER and other Republican
newspapers have been accused ofdesirine
to destroy the public institutions Of Wts'
Virginia in the hope Of making capital fol-
their party. Tho conduct Of public officers
aod the management Of public institutions
ARE proper subjectsof criticism by the pub
Tic press. II a party is 50 iliberal and nn'
wise as to accept the sole responsibility fol
the conduct Of these officers and the man
agement oi these institutions that party
must expect to be held accountable to the
people for what is done or left undone in
its name. The Democratic party OF West
Virginia has packed the governing bodies
OF the State institutions with Democrats.
In making appointments to places not
properly to be considered as political 1t has
found no Republican worthy OF consldera'
ton. Disregarding the very large and,
with due respect to Governor Jackson, in
telligent minority, it has filled up the
Boards with Democrats. The Democratic
managers have aaid to the people, "This
is our funeral, and We are going to run it"
There is not Republican in any Board.
The Boards are all constituted for partisan
purposes, and unlefs some Democratic
member breaks away there is no one on
the inside to call them to account or to OK.
pose their methods. II the press do not
inquire into and expose what Is wrong,
who is 10 do ii? The time might come
when a row within the party would re-
veal wrongs for which the managers are
responsible, but vigilant press does not
wait, and the public would not respect
itifitdid. The ilrstand entirely natural re-
Spouse to such charges as have been made
is that they are made for partisan purpo'
ses. 1t is plain that the Boards were made
for partisan purposes, and the party in
power dislikes to be caught at it. II a
purity sowsto the wind it ought not to be
surprised. il It reaps the whirlwind. As
it makes its bed It must expect to lie in it.
The INTgLLIGRScER, it Is needless to Say,
has no desire to destroy any public insti-
tuition. On the contrary, it protests against
the destructive policy OF the Democratic
party with respect to the two institutions
named. These institutions belong
to and are supported by the PEG.
pie; yet it is notorious that they
are looked upon by the men in
control'as mere appCndages to the Bourbon
machine. When the Bourbon party turns
from the error OF its way it may look for
these partisan assaults" to stop. Till
then it will not hoodwink the people by
hypocritical appeals to State pride.
The genuine article OF Slate pride is what
we depend on for M upbeaval that shall
bury the Bourbon party out OF sight.