Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1898-10-19
A Bad Choice.

It has been demonstrated during
the past week that big mistake was
made in the appointment of the tu-
pe,iutendent of the Topeka a lum.
Dr.. Wetmore WAS selected by the
board, iu the belief that he was well
fitted for the place. He was highly
recommended rs phy 'i,n, and
WIS believed TO be a go d man 70.
the place. It was no long at er b.
assumed charge Of the iaStitntlon
until it became apparent that he WAS
too old for the position. Hs WAS
cross and peevish. Instead of being
pleasant with his employees and aid.
ing lii maintaining harmonious re-
lations among them, be took the
most unwise and uni udicions steps.
tending to promote dIscord and dis
sention.
The board of charities made up of
men in the prime of life, tolera' ed
this embarra ssing condition more
out of respect for his age than from
any other causes. The members ex-
erted themselves to the greatest POI
sihle extent in 81 eff ort to get a'o ,g
wi h him, aud keep ths institution io
good condition. It became appar-
ent that there was no possibility Of
properly handling the institution
under his management. aud the
board was abont to discharge him at
tha next regular meeting.
In some way, information of the
contemplated action reached DR..
Wetmore's 8 ears and he immediat el y
rendered his resignation, accom-
panied by long statement, in
which he vigorously sssailed the
character and integrity of the board
aud certain employees of the lastitu-
ton. This resignation was given
exclusively to Republican papers
and his action was not known to any
one until the papers were on sale on
tba street.
The motives which promoted this
action are not Known, but Dr. Scott,
one of the asylum employees, to
gether with several of the other em.
ployes, swear that DR.. Wetmore told
them some months ago that, in The
event of the nomination of Major
Hood, of Emporia, for g GJvernor on
the Republican ticket, hs would hold
his job if he was elected, and be
would make just this sort of an sex
pose" just b. fore election. He slsu
stated that he would get $4,000 oul
of the deal. It is possible that the
nomination Of Stanley did not
change conditions, nor Wetmore's
intentions. That the action of DR..
Wetmore WAS taken at the instance
of Republicans. is not doubted b,
people at the Capitol who are in
formed with regard to State affairs
That he is 80 old that he has passed
the point when he is able to properl.
care for big Institution like tb,
Topeka asylum, is also apparent Il
every one who is at all acquainted
with the operation Of the institution
under his management. The me.
who are criticised by DIR. Wetmor
are men whom be hes f'equentl,
complimented for their good work
In his report, which was recently de
livered to the toard, he not onl,
highly compllmented Its member
but also the employees Of the insti
tuition. These employees are all re
garded by the boari of charities a
competent to fill thei posi- ions, an
all have borne high reputation il
their home counties prior to thei
appointment. Most people regart
statement of this sort, given On tn.
eve of election with a great deal o
suspicion.
1t is very natural that they shonlt
, ask why this statement, which &C
compsnied the resignation, shoul,
have been reserved until this lat
date, when the things charged. i
true must have been knowo month
. before. Coming as it does. off tin
eve of his discharge and OF rhs ele :,
, ton, it cannot be givsr reason ADJ.
weight, or the consideration tha
: would be given the allegations of
| faiI-minded man, who was uninfi,
enced by such circumstances.
In this connection it may be pro,
l erly stated that the whole hope
victory on the part of Republica
managers, rests oa the use of sue
h sensational surprises, with the expe.
tation that Populist voters may
stanpeded.
60% of the cattle sold at the X. {
o stock yards comes from Kansas The
4