The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-06-30

aooBns, sSTvELY, LssTER IT Al.
Gov. Rogers and Henry J. snively
have succeeded In their purpose TO eject
DR.. Lockhart from the superintendency
Of the Medical Lake asylum. They have
vouchsafed no reason for this most out
raseous and unjustinable proceeding:
but 1t is not necessary for them to give
II. nor to make any pretense that 1t is
other than II u. It IL glaringiy obvious.
It ID both personal and political. and II
II part and parcel with the precious
project Of the PROGRESSIVELY machine
to renominAte Its principal for gov
ernor. To that end the public service 10
10 be debauched. the state institutions
filled with the henchmen and mer-
cenaries OF an INSCRIPTIONS political
ring, the care OF the unfortunate in
sane turned over to the inexperienced
and unsympathetic mercies Of a self
seeking doctor-politician. and the pro-
fesaional reputation Of an honorable
and skillful physician sacrificed at the
behest OF partisan necessity.
What are the charges against DR..
Lockhart? Who has dared to declare
that his personal ana professional eff
cheney was not OF the highest, and that
his character was not above reproachg
When and how was It discovered that
his management Of the asylum and its
800 patients was incapable. What have
the politicians who controlled the state
board OF audit and control done to give
the superintendent educated assistance
In his duty Of maintaining thorough dis
cipiine and organization ut Medical
Lake? How many Of his own attend
ants and ofaciais has the superintend-
ent been permitted to name In accord
ance with law? How many have been
suggested" by members of the board,
including the governor. as a reward for
party servicess Was he permitted to
choose even the first assistant physi-
clan. as the statute directs: or was
person known to be antagonistic to his
interests and methods. and a direct ben
eficiary by his dismissal. given that re-
sponsibie position against his protests?
Answers 10 all these questions con-
stitute . most damaging indictment
against the Rogers administration. The
insane asylum at Medical Lake has
been made the pack horse for 10. Of
partisan favorites Of the governor and
his satellites. From FIRST to last small
consideration has been shown for the
faithful and meritorious service Of old
employees, and they have been dismissed
TO make room for others whose chief
recommendation was that they needed
their jobs. The hands OF the super
intendent were coolly tied. and he
was asked to secure a maximum Of re-
suits through a stan whose compe-
tency was at q minimum. His author
ity over his subordinates was nominal.
and bis power 10 buy his own supplies
was largely taken from him. With all
this unwarranted interference by med
ding politicians who happened to have
the ear OF the governor. the most the
board OF audit and control has been able
To say OF DR. Lockhart Is that hts sery-
ices have lately not been satisfac-
tory" Services satisfactory To Rogers.
SniveIy. Lister c, al. doubtless consti-
fuse uaquessioning suhseryiency and
unfai,ering devotion to their individual
and joint interests.
The method OF Dr Lockharts removal
was astonishing for i,s sublime inspu-
tence. wearied Of the constant strife,
petty tealoasles and subserransan
Vaccinations Of his Populis, s,ar. DR.
Lockhart concluded 10 tender his resis-
nation. being given direct official assur-
ance that there were no charges against
him. Pending It's acceptance the gov
eruor Of the state. Tn q public interview.
| soseinnfy declared that there were
grave and serious charges agains; the
superintendent % the Medical Lake