The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-10-02
THE PENITENTIARY AND ITS PLY
SICIAN.

tors of tho Virginia State Penitentiary
on Saturday, DR.. Herbert Mann was
elected to succeed DR.. Charles v. Car
rington as physician and surgeon to
that institution. The vote on the first
ballot stood four to one, and was af-
forwards made unanimous. This action
was taken despite the numerous ap-
peals for DR.. Carrington's retention in
the Office. which he has administered
Tor twelve years with conspicuous
ability and fidelity and with great ad-
vantage to the State, and the protests
against his removal upon any other
ground than that OF unfitness for the
office. There Will be much disappoint-
ment at the course taken by the Board;
but there will be at the same time an
earnest wish on the part of his friends
that his successor shall have the most
abundant success in his labors and at
tain great distinction in the admins
traton OF the trust committed to him.
The Board OF Directors are to be COM
mended heartily for their demand that
there shall be "a full, open and ex-
haustive investigation" of all the
affairs of the Pcnitentiary. They re-
sent the insihuation that they were ap-
pointed to Office by Governor Mann on
the understanding that they would
make his nephew, DR.. Mann surgeon to
the Penitentiary. They show that
only two OF the members of the Board
who voted for DR.. Mann were appointed
by Governor Mann They aver that
the Governor has never, directly or
indirectly. before or since our appoint
ment, attempted to influence us In any
way or to discuss the matter with us,
or any of u.s." They would have re-
would neither have accepted nor held
office on such conditions" They de-
clare that had conditions at the Pen
itentiary been different, we would GER
tainly have voted to retain the present
surgeon CDR Carrington); but knowing
the conditions as we do, we believe
that the best interests of the pcniten-
tiary demand a change: and. per
Euaded that change was necessary,
we voted for Dr. Mann" They voted
Tor DR.. Mann in tho belief that he us
eminently suited for the position"
Among the Credentials" OF DR..
Mann filed with the Board that doubt
less in no small degree Influenced its
action was a petition signed by ninety
two members of the medical profession
of the City OF Richmond" endorsing
the application OF DR.. Mann for the po-
sition Of physician and surgeon to the
Penitentiary. in the belief that 1.-THE
health OF the convicts and the interest
of the State will be fully protected"
The most gratifying action Of the Board
is contained+Sh the..letter addressed by
it TO Governor Mann. requesting that
he transmit TO the Legislature our
request for a special committee to be
appointed 10 make e. thorough investt-
cation of the management of the in
stitution in every way, shape and form"
We second the motion Let the nroha
go TO the bottom; make the investiga-
tion as comprehensive and all-inclusive
as 1t is possible: let ii cut to the bone.
Make 1T apply to all matters of admin
istration; let 1t go TO the bottom of all
contracts; consider the relations OF
labor farmed out for manufacturing or
other purposes. and ascertain what spe
GA! interests, II any, are represented
In the management OF the institution.
and when IT Is finished, let the I.eejs-
lature tell the whole story, good or
bad to the people of the State.
Darlington is out and Mann Is in
The former has done his work we'll
we hope sincerely that the latter viii
DO his work we'll, for his own sake. for
the sake of the unfortunates committed
to his care. and for the good OF the
State.
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