The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-03-30
RECKLESS PARTISANSHIP.

The Governors letter, published in the
Caucasian, stating that his course in
making the insane asylums the foot ball
OF politics was dictated by desire to take
the management out of the hands of one
party was a boomerang. He said:
eve found these institutions in
politics. They were run by one par
ty. No consideration or recognition
was given to Republicans or Popu-
lists who constitute the majority of
the people of the State Every
officer, every employee, every director,
on the boards was a Democrat Re
publicans and Populist were exclud-
ed and treated as outcsts and pub
Tic enemies"
We have already shown that the Gov
ernor's sweeping indictment Of the Dem
ocratic party was not supported by the
facts, instancing that one-half the en-
ployes in the Raleigh Asylum are now
Populists and Republicans. A private
letter from thoughtful and well inform
ed citizen of Eastern North Carolina
shows that of thirty seven males en-
PsOSSd liz SiiC NOIdSDOIO k1St Iuui, tWeu-
ty-nine are Republicans. And yet the
Governor, in his desire that "the institu-
lions for the insane should be kept out
Of politics." wants to turn out the eight
Democrats and replace them with Repub-
licans or cuckoo Popuhsts.
There have been men in all parties who
have frankly avowed that the doctrine
ITO the victor belong the spoils," ought to
apply to insane asylums as we'll as to oil
other State institutions. The Governor
has right to join that class and make
war on the insane to give jobs to such
"scoundrels' and "rascals"-to quote his
,own words-as his Chief Fertilizer; In.
spector, Jim Young. But he shall not
do so and pose as the rescuer Of these in
. situations that are incorrectly declared to
de Fin politics." Our friend in the East
destroys that pretense by giving some
,facts that are incontrovertible as fol-
flows:
I'm your issue Of the 9th instant,
You copy. from the Caucasian a let
tCl ny ooSClhVl AsuocNA WI
corning the management in part of
our insane asylums. In your COM
ments upon this letter, you state,
''facts with reference to the Colds
boro and Merganton asylums could
not be obtained, but the statements in
this letter are not correct as to the
status Of the North Carolina asylum
at Raleigh" This writer happens TO
know something about the GOldsbOrO
Asylum, and will state for Governor
RusselPs information flor he needs
embellishments on the subject), that
there are in the employ Of the Eastern
Hospital thirty -seven males, including
officers, and twenty-nine OF these are
Republicans. / will further state
that no Republican or POpulist has
ever been refused employment be-
cause of his politics. Governor Rus
sell says in his letter, 81 know of no
way to get these institutions out OF
politics except by giving due regard
and recognition, and representation
to all the political parties OF the
State"
"Ths declaration of his is in direct
conflict with the policy pursued by
him in his appointment Of trustees
for this institution. THERE is NOT
A DEMOCRAT ON THE BOARD.
There was POpulist and two Repub-
licans appointed two years ago on
the board of directors. Governor
Russelrs ignorance is amazing for
man of his general intelligence. when
be writes concerning our Hospitals
Tor the insane. and inexcusable for
man in his position. will close by
stating a we'll known fact, that the
Democratic party never removed a
medical officer from our Asylums on
political grounds"