“In looking over an old paper this morning, my attention was called to a communication, dated February 12, 1872, by ‘One of the People,’ that strikes me as almost a true prophecy, regarding the folly of buying the Infirmary farm of three or four hundred acres, of its unprofitableness, and worst of all, it’s becoming a political machine, &e, and to the then tendencies of County and State finances, and the reprehensible course of unprincipled part leaders, &e. The man is far gone in willful blindness, that now, after the lapse of near five years, after reading the long lists of Sheriff’s, Master Commissioner’s and County Treasurer’s delinquent and forfeited land sales, not to be able to see there is something wrong, either in policy or practice of our former (if not present) officials. That the Infirmary farm and its management, is not only a financial failure, but a subject of humiliating disgrace, is apparent year after year, and sometimes oftener. The people are bored with one plea and another, for the disappearance mysteriously of the people’s money or property. If Mr. Hehl made any such disgraceful pledges in order for his election, as retaining ‘Mr. Coffrin as Superintendent because he was a Republican, whether honest or not,’ it is to be regretted he was elected.”
“But if he made no such pledges, or on discovery of his error, or Mr. Coffrin’s incompetency, he has independence enough to act honestly, he is to be commended for doing right. To end the squabble, would it not be much more sensible to sell the farm, and return to the old twelve acres (which is land enough) and build what additional accommodations are needed? Our unfortunate experience would answer affirmatively. ‘Honesty is the best policy’ with officials as well as individuals, and in view of our enormous direct and indirect taxes, if expenses can be curtailed, why by all means do so.”
“-Economy, Harrison Township, Ohio. December 29th, 1876.”1
