The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-03-18
THEY INTEND TO "SKIN THE
COON"

There is no pretence that the charters
of the insane asylums were repealed, or
rathre attempted to be repealed, for any
purpose of good public policy. Nobody
has alleged even the smallest error or
wrong in the management of either.
On the other hand, Republicans and
Populists have We'd with Democrats
in commenting the fitness of the officials,
the excellence of the management, and
the skilful care of the unfortunate in
sane.
Why was an attempt made to repeal
the charters of these institutions?
To get the offices.
1t was inspired by the same motive
which actuated the Wayne county Re
publican member of the Legislature Of
1868 go, who being asked why. there
had been so much extravaganza, said:
I'VE had the coon and intended to skin
him.
From the opening to the closing day,
ofiices?" was the policy Of the majority
of the Legislature.
In all its history North Carolina has
had no specialist superior to DIR. L. l..
Murphy, of the Morganton Hospital.
He mas devoted his life t0 the study of
questions affecting mental trouble. He
was res,oved from the Staunton Hos
pital blythe Malone dynasty. In his ma
tive State he has grown to be the great
est specialist in the South If the Rus
sell regime removes him now, he will
go TO Atlanta and establish u private
santarium, and the State will perma-
nenIy lose him.
Though not connected SO long as Dr.
Murphy with the treatment of mental
disorders, DIR. G. l.. Kirby. superintend-
ent of the Raleigh Hospital, came to his
position with a reputation second to no
physician in the State The wisdom of
his selection has been abundantly PROV
ed. Never since it was established has
the percentage of cures been SO large,
and in all departments the institution was
never so we'll managed He adds to
ability as physician. unexcellcd ca
pacity as a man of affairs This is appa-
rent in the institutions work.
In many respects DIR. J. Il. Miller,
superintendent of the Eastern Hospital
at Goldsboro, has had more delicate and
difficult duties than the superintendent
of the White Hospitals. He has shown
himself TO be the right man in the right
place, a model superintendent and a
skillful and kind superintendent His
management in all respects has been
above criticism.
Why should these institutions be de-
priyed of such able and competent heads
in order to give a salary to political doc
tors? No other reason is assigned
1t is the right of political parties to
take such offices as superintendent of the
penltentiary. While we know that no man
could have been chosen the equal of Mr..
Leazar, we had no criticisms when the
Republicans put one of their number in
his place. That was natural change
to make. But to make war upon the I'M
fortunate insane in order to get pie for
politicians is so revolutionary, cruel and
inhuman, that it shocks humane people in
all parts of the State. 1t does more than
that; it carries grief and distress to the
friends and relatives of every patient in
these hospitals. That ought to be rea-
son enough to stop the pie-hunters in
their mad career
There will be day of reckoning. Pol
iticians who attempt to make the hospit-
ais for the insane places of refuge for
the pie-hunters will find two years hence
that the people will drive them out, not
only of the institutions they seek to des-
ecrate. but out of every other position in
the State
They will find that there is retribution
in politics.