The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-12-06
THE APPOINTMENT OF SUfEhlN-
TENDENTS OF STATE lNSTl-
TUTIONS.

The nerfect running order of the ma
cbinerv of the state government IS
great relief to the executive, and WINE i
gives his administration high character
If also relieves him of anxiety and gives
him time TO devote his unembarrassec
attention TO the larger problems tha'
arise for his consideration. 1t IS there
fore greatly to his interest as well as to
the general interest of the state that the
head of every department should DE
thoroughly competent man for MS spec
iol nosition, The heads of departments
that are appointed by the governor are
recognized to be even of more import
ance than the elective positions III the
state government and are therefore lett
to the discretion of the governor rather
than to incur the risk of election by the
people, in which it is often the case that
familiarity rather than special ability for
the place succeeds in putting the wrong
man in the place.
The importance of specially competent
men as superintendent of the lunatlc
asylums. the deaf and dumb and the in
stitute for the blind, cannot be over estl-
mated. These are positions that not only
require the finest ability, but the most
skilful preparation, especially in the first,
that of lunatic asylums. 1t is absolutely
necessary that the superintendent snail
have given insanity, its causes ana
treatment, special and thorough investl-
CATION. This Is a place that a governor
is not warranted in filling according to
his partiaities or friendships, but the
responsibility of these appointments is
the most sacred and important OF all
others. The governor who consclen-
tiously obeys his oath of Office will not
dare to make these appointments as re-
ward for political or personal services,
or in obedience to any kind of policy, but
that of eminent fitness for the position.
1t is a great mistake to suppose that any
physician of high professional character
is competent for these positions. 1t is
admitted by all physicians of standing
and learning that insanity is a disease
that requires in its treatment the
most delicate and thorough know
ledge of all the intricate
operations of the mind and the kind OF
physical disease that produces it, as 1t
has been pretty well determined that it
is caused by some disease of the organs
through which the mind operates, from
the brain down through every nerve IN
the physical body. This kind of practice
requires a more thorough investigation
than is ever given by the general prac-
ticing physician, and a governor who is
conscientious will require this eXtraordl-
nary qualification. The position also re-
uuires that its occupant should possess
the finest ballast in his entire compost
ton, to-wit, sound judgment, equanimity
of temper, knowledge of the manner of
control firmness and last but not least,
a sense of perfect justice and the broadcast
philanthropy. Let us say, physician
whose love of his kind is only equaled by
his love of that special branch of his pro-
fession that makes him a devotee to sci
ence, rather than an ambitious politician.
The physician that approaches nearest
to these qualities is the one who has a
right to the place and no governor has a
right to appoint man to the place who
has not clearly this right.
The other positions we have mentioned
are also quite important, and in modi-
fed form require the same special quail
ifications. These positions for good rea-
sons have been reserved from the elective
scramble for the prudent, wise and con-
scientious action of the governor, and it
places the gravest of all responsibilities
on him. We trust these positions will
all be filled by the most competent men.