The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-03-06
The Public Charitable Institutions
How They Should be Governed and
OniearnG.

To the Editor of the Dispatch:
Very fresh in memory is the raid made
by the MahoneiteS on the charitable insti-
tutions of the State Their capture, and
the election from Office on party grounds Of
the incumbents, whether male or female,
and however highly qualified, will c0nsti-
tute the most soiled page in the history OF
the dark days OF Virginia politics.
1t was eminentIy just and proper that
the present Legislature should pass laws
for the Reorganization OF the boards OF
these institutions. Their welfare is now
entirely dependent on the manner in which
the new boards shall use the authority
with which they have been vested. To us
| it is very clear that they should remove, as
promptly as possible, all the MahOneite Of
ficias; first, because these officers lent
themselves to the violation OF the true and
humane policy which should regulate the
! tenure of Office in these charities; second,
! because they engaged in forwarding the
selfish designs OF the spoilers by taking an
active part in politics, and by submitting
to be assessed for party purposes and
last, because they were not a. competent to
! ill the offices as those whom they helped
TO thrust out. Nor have they any Just
cause to complain Of such course, since
they themselves have taught
Bloody instructions, which being taught, return
To plague the inventor. This even-handed justice
| Commends the ingredients Of their poisoned cha
lice
TO their own lips
The most important consideration, how
ever, Is on what principle and with what
view shall these institutions be governed,
and how shall their offices be filled. Clear.
ly, they should be held to be sacred trusts
designed by the humane heart OF our peo-
pie for the care and cure OF those bereft Of
reason, and for the education OF those de-
3, prived OF either hearing or sight. The
controlling motive should be so to conduct
| their affairs as to alleviate, so far as human
skill can do 1t. the Affections Of their un
fortunate inmates. To this end, men o.
the highest attainable requirements anC
largest experience should be selected Il
fil their chief offices. Where the Off
GERS who were elected two years agt
are as capable, as efficient. as expe
rienced-in other words, as well qualified
in all respects as any that can be had--the,
should undoubtedly be restored to Office
but not otherlciSe. for IL more competen
men than the former incumbents can b.
found for any Of these positions, II /
plainly the bounden duty OF the Boards Il
look with single eye TO the interests o
the beneflciaries, and not to the suppose'
or even real claims OF office-seekers, unles
these shall be based on the highest ground
OF qualifications. Nor should the dc
basing--as politics are in the present day
demands of party ever be allowed hear
ing or an entrance within their sacre
precincts. Assessments upon salaries 70
; political purposes should not be tolerate
for moment, nor should the officer
, be countenanced In any active exercise Q
J partisan spirit. Learned, humane, skilfu
men are wanted to oil these trusts 7e
7 who feel that they have high and hol
mission to perform, the relief Of sufIerin
humanity-and who will devote, IN mob
spirit Of scli-sacrifice, all their energies {
mind, OF heart, and OF body to the reli'
and enlightenment OF those who, at Il