Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-09
THE TOLEDO INSANE ASYLUM.
Secretary Chas. Foster Tells why He Fa.
vored . Democratic steward.

Secretary Chas. Foster Tells why He Fa.
vored . Democratic Steward.
Secretary Chas. Foster is proud Of his con-
nection with the Toledo Insane Asylum and is
always ready to protect the interests Of that
institution. A dispatch from Columbus re-
ceived here Saturday says there is much dis
satisfaction at Secretary Foster because he had
agreed to the appointment of democrat as
steward Of the asylum in spite of Gov. McKin-
ley's protest against such action. STAR re-
porter had a talk with Secretary Foster on the
subject and received q statement of the case
from him as follows:
"Ihe Northwestern Ohio Insane Asylum is
An institution that was organized while I was
governor Of Ohio. The legislature appointed
committee of state officers with the governor
Mt the head to locate a new asylum and to let a
contract for its construction. As chairman Of
that commission / favored Toledo as the place
and the cottage and non-restraint plan of ad-
ministration and contracts for the construc-
ton OF the buildings were made accord
1ngly. As governor of the state / al
ways opposed partisan management Of public
institutions. l appointed a commission. COM
posed OF two democrats and three republicans,
and always insisted that any democrat employed
in the institution who faithfully performed his
duty should be retained during good behavior,
and that no man should be appointed because
be ls republican or a democrat Fitness for
position should be the only qualification
required The question Of the politics OF an
applicant for place was never discussed by the
commission. although it and the superintendent
were republicans. Two of the assistant super
lntendents were democrats. The marvellous
success OF the institution, in my opinion. is
largely due to the ability and efficiency of the
superintendent and other employees selected in
this way. The restraints do not now average two
n Of
inmates.
THE FINEST IN THE WORLD.
~ undertake to say that the institution is TO-
day probably the finest of its kind in the world.
When Gov. Campbell came in strenuous efforts
tendent, because he was a republican, to put a
democrat in. In Toledo every newspaper.
every citizen of prominence, democrat and re-
publican favored the retention of DR.. Toby.
The press Of the district was nearly unanimous
for his retention. Notwithstanding this, how
ever, he was finally removed by board APP
pointed by Gov. Campbell and democrat APP
pointed. was president of the board during
this time. As soon as Mckinley was elected gov
ernor the board was reorganiZed with three re-
pubicans and two democrats and they were
unanimous i'll favor of the return of Dr. Toby
and he was reapponted in his former place.
During the democratic administration the
democratic board elected democratic
steward. Mr.. Hamlin. who is now giving full
satisfaction. He was steward of Athens Asylum
for four years and is, in my opinion, the best
qualified man in the state for his present posi-
ton. He is democrat My party in the state
opposed his appointment Oh that ground alone.
All conceded his ability. Gov. Mckinley also
opposed Hamlin's appointment 70 the extent of
suggesting that a competent republican could
be found for the place. He did MT favor the
retention of the previous incumbent. for the
reason that he, too, is democrat Having
more interest in this institution than in any
other public institution in the world naturally
desire to have it managed by the best men that
can be found, regardless of politics. 1 there
fore voted for the appointment of Hamlin, and
in so doing indicated my desire for non-parti-
son management of the institution. predict
that the action of the board in the present in
stance will meet the favor and support of nine
tenths of the best people OF the state