The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1885-04-15

commission was resorted to by the anx-
ious thousands, preparatory for the office
desired; but now the members OF the
commission have sent out word that
there is too much Office seeking for them
in their particular department, and that
there are more applications than offices
for fully six months to come.
"Ir Is quite true, ms the Independent
organs boast says the ST. Louis Globe
Democrat, "that Clevelond has made re-
markably few changes in the offices; but
this involves a confession at the same
time that the mean things they said
about Republican oillce-holders In the
last campaign were unjustliable, and
that 1t was not really necessary to restore
the Democratic party to power In order
TO purify the civil service. In other
words, II the so-caled 'spoils system
has filled the offices with class OF men
whom civil service reform President
can find no good reason to remove, eN-
cept in few isolated Instances, then 1t
can't be such monstrous thing, after
all, as these organs have represented
DIR. W. T.. SYLVESTER. In paper which
appeared recently In the Alienist and
Neurologist, states that ~ years ago the
number Of insane persons in the United
States was only 2i,0i2. In $50 1t had
reached Il, 1872, and in 1850 treatment
was required for 0l,0j9 lunatics. From
1870 to 1850 the increase in insanity was
nearly 100 per cent, while that Of the
| total population was about 20. These
| figures do not, however, represent ac-
tual increase, but during this period a
| large number of insane persons, prev
| iously concealed, were brought to pub
| lie notice by more thorough investiga
tion. In America, apart from several
| large county asylums, there arc 50 State
and 10 private institutions for the care
of the insane, with proper capacity for
about 10000, but containing 53,l92, thus
leaving probably 5000 to be cared for
elsewhere. The proportion Of insane is
greatest in New England. while the IN
crease has been most rapid In the West
ern states In the State Of New York
there are - institutions for the care Of
these unfortunate people, accommodate
ing 1873 patients, while ii Is said that
there are 1900 provided for nj home.
TnE LIGHT two years ago opposed Al
derman Lockwood's proposition to make
the river and the bitches open sewers
as being for the benefit of u few. 1t was
opposed upon the ground ofbeing an as
sumption Of the rights ofthe people, and
the proposition made by the Board OF
Health day or two ago is simply re-
pitition OF the old question. The river,
and the bitches in particular, belong to
the people, and their property rights in
the matter cannot be So ignored. Pro-
perry along the bitches has generally
been purchased at an advance, and tho
owners have gone to much expense to
have walls built and otherimprovement'
made. An ordinance to turn them into
open sewers. would not only be an out
rage. but would subject the city to Il Sc
ries of law suits for actual and oonse'
questional damages, and ii should not
be entertained, much less be passed by
the Council. The men who opposed tn,
proposition TO build sewers, are the mel
who want the river and the bitches :,
deliled. They can then empty their re
fuse Mt little expense, but the Glitter
who lives away from these streams Il
obliged to take care Of the sewerag,
from his place or suffer prosecution Il
, the hands of the Sanitary officer. If tn,
, health Of the city demands such action
f il is sufficient to permit the expenditure
of the amount necessary to give all Al
equal showing. The members Of tn
Council viii do well TO ponder tn
question carefully and deeply befor
: they commit themselves to an act of S
much injustice, not only to those who's
property lies along the bitches, but {
= all the people. Public opinion mad
i them change two years ago, after res
olution has passed, and it will 10 5
again.
], TnE question has frequently bee
e asked, where is that enormous surpiu