The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1903-05-22

we sincerely trust tnot tne gov
ernor is not really seeking 10 make
party or personal spoils out of the
penal and benevolent institutions
OF the state. His intense interest in
the ripper bill was ominous; and
the appointment Of Mr.. L. P. New
by, known to the state as q shrewd
and ambitious politician, to the re-
formatory board tends to confirm
previous apprehensions. Mr.. New.
by, however, talks we'll of bis pur-
lposes, and we shall hope for the
bert.
But On top Of this comes the per-
formance at the Southern Insane
Hospital. The board has been 70.
constructed, the superintendent has
been replaced with q man known
rather for his skill in politics than
for special knowledge Of the insane,
and all the subordinate officers have
been forced by the board to resign
or have been dismissed. This GER
tainly does not look we'll. The
board, moreover, appears TO have
exceeded its authority, as the super
intendent is charged With the duty
Of selecting aud dismissing subor.
dinates. All this will be credited
to the governor, as he has 10 recent.
ly changed the board Of trustees.
We wish to say with all emphasis
that the people Of Indiana will not
stand for q revival Of the spoils sys.
item in our penal and benevolent in.
|stitutions. We have got beyond
that, and it will not be we'll for the
politician Of any party that socks TO
turn US back. The platform on
which Governor Durbin was nomi-
mated took credit and praise for
''the emancipation Of the penal and
benevolent Institutions from parti.
san conrc.." When Governor
Mount succeeded . democratic gov
ernor, tremsndous pressure was
brought to bear on him to partizan.
lie the states institutions, He re.
fused steadfastly, and gained great
honor thereby. Governor Durbin,
lon the other hand, has seemed 10
display q willingness to use the
public service for the furthering OF
ibis political interests. We warn
|him again that the people Of Indi.
ana want their business attended to
stIictly on business principles. In.
|dianapolis News in leading editorial,
Saturday.
The News expresses . fear that is
widely felt. But why look behind
the act for the motive? The fact is
that if the course of the local board
lis sustained q precedent will be O..
|tablished, says the Evansville Cour-
lier. II the institutions are not to
be made part of political machine
now, at least an entering wedge
will be put in that may be availed
lof in the future. This individual
lcase is Of little importance compar.
ed with what might happen in the
future.
i Miss Wilson has decided 10 test
the adequacy Of the law, the inten-
|tion Of which is to safeguard the in
|stitutions. She is willing TO devote
her energies for . principle that is
vital for the welfare Of the wards Of
the state. This is not a local ques-
,|tion, it involves the welfare of all
the institutions OF the state. Why
have boards Of children's guardians
and state agents for placing or
phane, If these moro than children
are to be at the mercy Of any politi-
cal assaults preeent or future?
| The Indianapolis Journal in reftt
.lring to the situation editorially says: !:
"The removal Of all the officers Of
the Southern Hospital for the In
sane, simultaneous with the organi-
zation OF the board and the election
|of new superintendent, raises .
presumption that there must be good
reasons Of public policy for 90 un-
usual q proceeding, though as yet
none has been stated"