Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-02-07
is A CHANGE DFSIRAB E?
LET THE ASYLUM TRUSTEES
ANSWER FULLY
Proposal to Change Management Now
Open for Discussion-Candor
Should Govern

The public was given a surprise in
the announcement that the county
asylum board at its monthly meeting
on last Thursday. determined to dis
pense with the services of Superintend-~
ent and Mrs. Buffers. This Informal
ton came 10 the public like clap of
thunder from clear sky, knowing as
the people do who are acquainted with
that institution from its inception, that
the management under them has
seemed ideal, that the business and
| affairs of that great humane home
have been conducted with an eve sin
gle to the comfort of the unfortunate
wards and with an efficiency on part
of Mr.. and Mrs Buffers that it seems
difficult to duplicate.
BY telephone the CENSOR has en-
deavofed to get statement from
members OF the board, collectively or
individually, but on account of storm
complications was able only to reach
Trustee Morterud of Bloomingdale,
who confirmed the rumor, but said
that he was in the minority and not
responsible for the proposed change.
He said the only suggestion is that
Superintendent Buffers is not school
ed farmer, that one more cleyeTly en-
dowed in that line is thought prefer
able. Mr.. Morterud, in reply to the
query whether the trustees would be
willing to make full public statement
OF their action, said he believed they
would, but he could speak for none
other than himself He said further
that they were about TO advertise for
and ask persons to make application
tor the position.
The CENSOR has no desire or inten-
ton to impugn the motives, nor cast
suspicion on the reasons that inpelled
this action. 1t is a public, not a pri-
vate matter, and the public has a right
to know the reasons, and we trust the
board will not be slow or shifty in &C
quainting the tax payers, relatives
and friends of unfortunate patients At
the asylum, of their action and pur-
poses This much they owe to them
selves and also To the good man and
womaa whose efficiency and humane
services they have challenged They
can have free all the space in the
CENSOR that is necessary for the 'iuty.
Win they accept the proaerY We
hope so.
Every friend of Mr.. and MSs. Buffers
| is willing and anxious to have their
I1NkIN DAltAlhA AT dAlA fbAAAfG lfENtift-
ed by the trustees, but let 1t be open
and above board, Not sympathy, but
Justice, is sought in their behalf, and
the future welfare of the patients
| There ought to he more than one
side to character management that
should maintain in q place so sacred
as that where our dear relatives and
friends are confined because Of the
| frailties Of body and mind. No rela-
/ tive or friend believes that the chill
dren Of men can be or have been more
tenderly cared for than have these
fnnfortBnates by the Christtan man
and woman who are now In charge of
our asylum. They are like parents to
that great family Of l20. These grown
I but helpless children need the iniu-
ence, protection and sympathetic care
/ Of Mr. and Mrs. Butters ten thousand
/ fold more than Vernon county needs
| few paltry dollars that some less sym
! pathetic managers might possibly
make. In the name OF mercy and hui
nanity let this important matter be
approached and considered
All fathers, mothers, brothers and
sisters of our unfortunate wards viii
await patiently the answer of the
/ board of trustees.