The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-06-19
reform ana Retrsnchment" at the
\ Institution.

that the Board Of Visitors. Of the Deaf.
Dumb and Blind Institution has displaced
the efficient principal of the Institution
and number of his no less efficient assist
ants, and supplied their places with gem
tlemen in sympathy with, the political
views of the Visitors themselves.
Itcannot be claimed that these changes
were made, in the interest Of the Institu-
ton, Or Of the unfortunate children for
whose benefit the State has made such
ample provision. Sofarfrom there having
been any charges against Mr.. Roller,
his admirable administration has ex-
torted praise from those who would only
have been too willing to censure. To
anyone familiarwith the general appear
ance OF the buildings and premises prior
TO and since his installation, the improve
ments made are everywhere evident
Every department. testifes to the thorough
stem and management which have been
introduced. Cleanliness, thrift, and a gen.
eral ai,of attractiyeness characterize the
place and give to it another appearance TO
what it was wont to- bear. The internal
affairs have received the same careful at
teption., The finances have been judi
cioslsly expended, and despite the improve
ments made, there has been no anticipa-
tion Of appropriation. That the children
have been surrounded with every comfort,
and have been cared for as the promoters
of this charity designed. their bright,
healthy faces and neat attire through
out the session show. That they have
made excellent progress in their studies is
demonstrated by the result of the exam
ination conducted by committee of ex-
perts whose report We publish in another
column. That committee was composed
of the most prominent practical teachers
of the city and county, some of whom had
served in a. similar capacity before, and
everyone of whom was politically hostile
to MIR. Roller. There cannot, therefore,
be the slightest ground for surprising that
the report, fattering as it is, was inspired,
in the least. by Partially. It's the honest,
unbiased expression of the views of gen.
tlenlen fully competent to Judge, and who
made searching examination into, the
subject reported upon. ~ .. i,t
Not one complaint, we repeat, has been
lodged against the management of the In
stitution. On the contrary,i its conduct has
been commended in the highest terms by
all who have had opportunity of judging,
and even strong prejudice against it has
been made to yield in the face OF the evil
dence presented. There was one crime,
however, Of which the Principal and his
discharged assistants were guilty, which
was the objectionable sin-they voted
against the Democratic party. That out
weighed every other consideration. No
matter what their qualifications were no
matter how earnestly they were striving
to better the condition Of the pupils no
matter how faithfully they were meeting
the highest obligations Of their respective
positions. they lacked the one qualification
which would have secured their retention,
and which would have more than made up
for many of the superior qualities they
were acknowledged to possess.
Butlthis is the fate OF war, we hear on
every side, why complaint Your party
acted upon the same principle, and why
should you object to retaliation ? Weldon t
complain. I'VE only desire to cali atteh-
tion to Democratic hypocrisy. When the
changes were made before, the State rang
with the story of the Outrage" VirtnOus
Democracy protested that every interest
of humanity demanded that the State
charities be removed from politics, and
the majority in the last legislature enacted
a law which provided that no political con-
tsideratiOns should be allowed to have a
feathers weight in the administration of
the asylums. Under that law the Boards
were appointed, and under that law they
made changes purely political. No other
cause was assigned i; no other reason sug-
gested: So far as the ability, faithfulness,
and efficiency of the present. officers were
involved, nota murmur was heard against
Them 1T was the spirit Of Democratic
reform'l that alone demanded their retire
ment. That ''reform which subOrdinates
every consideration to the behests of party.
But il simple retaliation was sought,
the Democracy ontstripped outsef. When
the Liberal Board came into power, they
found three deaf mute teachers In the In
stitutioh, each of whom was known to be
a Democrat. AS such they were elected
and reelected to the positions, One more
ldeaf mute teacher was added in the person
Of Mr.. Michaels. He was a distinguished
graduate of the National Deaf Mute In
stitutioh, and was recommended in the
highest terms by Prof. Gallaadet, one Of
THE. recognized deaf mute authorities of
the Union. In addition to being thoroughly
educated and remarkably intelligent, Mr..
Micheals is a born teacher. 1t is no dis
paragement to his efficient associates to
say that he stood at the head Of the deaf
mute corps. His unusual qualifications
for the position he filled were nndispnted.
But Mr.! Micheals had voted against the
Democratic party, and off went his head
under the stroke of the reform" Ak. : 4 I
Associated with the Democratic, cry OF
''reform" is also that Of ''retrenchment "
In obedience to this party sentiment the
! Office of Steward. which had been proven
to be entirely unnecessary, and had been
discontinued under Mr.. Rollers admins
tration and at suggestion, was re-created
and a prominent member Of the party
snugly enscOnced therein. At the very
least this means an extra expense to the
| State of 81, 900 a year without any COM
pensating benefit. 'ssgs'g .neiai.aiis'' a. ''e.t1
This is but a specimen OF Democratic
s'retrenehment. and reform. - But it is
sufficient to show what might be expected
should that party gain the ascendency in
National affairs. sgi,,, - ~. ,iii t'f' y -
So far as the retiring officers of the In
stitution are concerned, it il no diseredit
to them that they failed Of reelection.
The record Mr.. Roller made as Principal
of the Institution more than justiies his
high reputation as an, instructor II has
but added to the well-earned fame he has
so long enjoyed in that particular. His
4 administration of the fiscal and general
affairs Of the Institution has been sue