South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1892-07-08
cAros BRIDGE. W. VA.

CAPoS BRIDGE, w. Va,
June 80. 1891.
MRS. HARPER:-In the "Dail.
Wheeling Intellieeneer'' Of jun
2Sth, . copy Of which a friend SEN
me, is the article below:
Will You kindly publish the sam,
and allow me room in your column
TO make very brief statement.
ECONOMY IN THE RoNNEY INsTIrU
TIoN.
At the recent meeting of the rc-
gents Of the school for the deaf,
dumb and blind, at Romney, there
was another sample Of economy in
administration. The spasm of vir.
tue cost John Uopkins, Of Charles
Town, his place Of assistant princi-
pal. or steward.
There were DO charges against
the young man, who, the Intelli.
gencer has reason to believe, was q
faithful and capable officer. No
body in the institution knew that
q change was TO be m sde. Tho
matter was brought before the
board and railroadcd through bs-
fore there was time to put on the
brakes or sock an explanation.
Hopkins was rushed out of bis
$3.50 place and A. G. Slonaker
rushed IN ut salary of 5000.
1t is understood that the scheme
was engineered by A. l.. Pugh, re-
sident member Of the board, whose
voice has often been raised in the
interest Of economy in the admin
istration Of the institution. Mr.
Pugh ia candidate for the com
Portable Office of sheriff of Hamp-
shire county, and he doubtless
knows why he regards Slonaker az
moro economical at $500 wear
than Hopkins at half that sum.
IL the regents had understood
the matter it ia fair to suppose that
thoy would not have agreed with
the resident mem Der In his elastic
ideas OF economy. Perhaps the re-
gents will think it not too late to
look into their action. and ascertain
whether wrong has been done to
the State.
l. scoms that tho writer has COB
ten some information from ain the
Institution" and with that one.siti
I'd and very incorrect statement of
the action Of the Board of Regents,
has proceeded to make very ugly
charges.
Tho facts arc that every member
of tho Board had had the matter of
electing q steward under careful
consideration for some time pro-
vious to it's last meeting and at
least majority of those present at
the October '9l meeting had boon
carefully considering the matter
since that time. After the adj
lournment Of that meeting a ma
jority of those present expressed a
determination to try to meet the
requirements of the law establish
ing the Institution and elect n
steward. Many efforts had been
made in former meetings of the
Board, but without success. No
ono of the many applicants whose
names had been presented for tho
consideration of the Board rccciy-
ing tho number Of votes required
to elect.
1t was suggested ty some of she
members of the Board Just after
their meeting in October that the
claims of the old applicants should
no longer DO pressed and that we
would try to have for the consider
alton Of the Board at it's next regu
lar meeting for the election of Of
ficers some new applicants.
L talked with our President. Mr..
Peerce, very frequently on the sub
ject and on juno LIST / told him
that Mr.. A. g. Sloraker, q voyy
worthy and capable man of nav
county would accept the place ut a
salary that would justify his doing
so, and believed the Board would
do well to elect him. I then, at
once wrote to every ether member
Of the Board making about tho
Same statement and referring them
to any oflicor, or business man or
any person Of their acquaintance
in the connty-as / believed Mr..
SlOnaker was we'll known by evsry
man in the county-as TO his char
actor aud standing and business
ability.
It was perfectly natural that I
should desire to have that lmpor-
tant position filled by a good and
worthy man Of my own counts, and
it was with much pleasure that /
did all | could, in a fair way, to
that end.
Every member OF the Board 1 be-
lieve will bear me out in tho state
ment that | showed no disposition
whatever to rush the matter.
Mr.. Hopkins was paid $3.50 and
his living in the Institution. Mr..
SlOnaker is to be paid 5000 and find
his own living. So when We con.
consider tho difference IN value us-
uahy put upon tho services of an
Office assistant and the vaIne pat
upon the services Of ono who il the
head OF department and required
70 give bond for the faithful dig
oIuwr.o - a.