The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-09-01
THE MARIANNE SCHOOL
AGAIN IN THE LIMELIGHT

1t seems so impossible co keep the
boys industrial school at Mariana
free from scandal that the Star and
a good many other people are begin
ming to think it would not only save
the state money but promote moral
ity to abolish it.
The latest sensation, the resignation
of Dr. McClane and his assistant, NJ
A. Garrard, is no surprise to the Star,
preaching trouble We are reluctant
to criticise state institution un-
less we are certain bad conditions
exist, for we know that between the
politicians, always trying to put some
thing over, and the Indifferent people,
asleep to public affairs most of their
time, and disposed to overdo things
for the short time they are awake,
the not any too numerous honest Off
Gals of our and other states have a
hard road to travel.
time, year at least, that DR.. Nc
Ciane was in bad condition physic-
ally, due to overwork. The last time
he was in Ocala he was so changed
that some Of his old friends had to be
introduced TO him. 1t has also known
that he had plans for the school that
were too ambitious for the state TO
carry out. The doctor believed, hon.
estly, we think, that if he could put
his plans in operation they would not
Only result in self-sustaining institu-
tions but would. make a profit, which
would improve the school and tighten
the burden of expense. His plans
have not been. so far as we know, i'm
practical, but IN a state with a
"squirming squadron" and a fierce
demand for public teat in every
voting precinct, they are impossible.
DR.. McClane is not politician and
not good business man. He is
good physician and kind and genial
man, one having great love for boys
and knack in getting along with
them and keeping them interested.
That he improved conditions for the
boys at Mariana we have no doubt
And we have no doubt that he spent
more of the states money than the
state could give him to spend If he
could have been put at the school for
no ether purpose than to instruct the
boys mentally, physically and morally,
and had as an associate competent
business man to attend to the work
AID finance, it is not likely there
would have been any trouble. We
know that from first he found the
work beyond his strength.
1t is hard for anybody who has
known DR.. McClane as long as Ocala
people have known him to believe he
ever intended to defraud the state of
Florida out of cent. He seems to
have shown bad business judgment,
but mighty few public officials show
better. The boys at Marianne have
been used before Dr. Mechanics time
to work farms in the vicinity of the
school, and nothing was done about it.
The state of Florida was swindled out
of thousands of dollars when that
marsh at Raiford was bought, and no
PAPER has dared to print the names of
the swindlers
We cannot defend DR.. McClane, for
his conduct, as referred TO by the
board in regard to the boys crushed in
the claypit; neither can we condemn
him unless we are sure he failed to do
all in his power to rescue the boys
and heal their injuries. On this, as
well as the drowning of another boy,
the doctor should be heard in his own
defense. He showed no signs of be-
ing callous or Indifferent to suffering
while he lived here.
On the other hand, it is the Stars
opinion that the board was right in
demanding the designations of DR.. Nc
Clane and his assistant. If for no
other reason, lack of harmony with
the board of commissioners of the
state institutions is sufficient reason