The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1915-04-30
1t Was Not Political.

II W as -NVl VACaC<&As
York News.
The Newberry Herald and News
thinks that We were in error when We
referred to their mixing things politi-
cal with Gov. Manning's appointment
of a superintendent for the asylum.
AS a matter of fact the Newberry pa
per said that the next general assem-
bly, would be "cold-footed" about max
ing any appropriations next year be-
cause of the already hign taxes and
hard times. This seemed to hint at
the fear of what constituents mig-t
think and accounted for our construc-
ton. The Herald and News says:
Now, honest. do you think the gov
ernor has any right to, or is justified
in. increasing the pay Of any official
when that pay is fixed by statute, and
when the constitution plainly says
that the legislature can not make an
appropriation to pay it? The Herald
and News never said a word about
politics. We will go as far as the
York News or Gov Manning in an
effort to care properly for these un-
fortunate wards Of the State. There
are many things that could be done
10 give them better attention tan
they receive without increasing the eX-
penditure.
"A $4,000 salary and house to live
in and the perquisites, whatever they
are. is not a bad salary. The State
treasurer only gets $1,000 and no
house. We think that most of tie sal
aries of the State officers are too low
but we do not believe in a governor
or any other one man assuming TO
himself the power to increase salaries
at his own will. We would say the
same thing about Mr.. Manning's pre-
decessor or any one else if he had
done tie same thing.
'And it seems to US if the expert
whom the governor had selected was
willing to take the position at the
salary fixed by law that some Soutn
Carolina physician could have been
found who would have been Wiling
TO do so. and one WHO IS also COM
petent.
"Wnat these patients need most is
to be given employment and to be out
Of prison. That is about the best
treatment for most of them. We nave
tried as hard as any one to keep poll
tics out of the asylum. Our remarks
had absolutely no political bearing ex-
cept you may stretch the remark
that tie legislature, in our opinion
would not endorse this increase, or at
tempted increase, in salary. TAe un-
fortunate wards of the State need
something more and besides an IN
crease in the salary to be paid the su-
perintendent."
Now as a matter of fact, $4,000 is
a big salary and it is big enough for
most ordinary commercial jobs, but
we do not know that the services OF
highly trained, skilled and efficient
utaysician could be obtained for that
sum. Experts and specialists DO not
often come that way, as all those who
have had operations performed chance
to know.
The sum and substance of the whole
thing is this: If Gov. Manning could
secure a trained, skilled, competent
man to fill the position for $4,000 per
year Ice certainly should nave done SO
and under those circumstances, II
such existed, he had no right in the
world to give the job to DR.. Williams
at the increased salary. On the otner
hand, if no suitable man could be Sc
cured. and DR.. Williams demanded tae
increased salary (and we believe tnat
this was the case) then the governor
did the right thing.
We will argue this case at more
length with the esteemed Col. Aull
when the scribes get together at Chick
Springs.