Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1855-11-22
TRUTH VS. COMMISSION ERS
yisa OF THE ASYLUM. I'D"
Ma. CRANsToN -
A short time since.

.frfE NIW "arH|l .ftl H| b.
Ma. CRANsToN - f .
v-f4r, A short time since,
through the columns of the Daily
News, | made statement of the f0cts
in relation to collision which had
occurred between the Commissioners
Of the Asylum and myself was not
only induced, but, as it were, compel
led, to do this, by the publication
in your paper of an erroneous state
ment, to correct which, was the sole
object of my communication. In my
stat ement did "in nothing extenuate,
or setDdown aught in malice" but al
most entirely without comment SUBJ
mitted it to the public as plain state
ment of facts. After the publication
ofmy statement, heard nothing fur
ther on the subject until the last
meeting Of the City Council, when a
document entitled, Report of the
Commissioners of the Asylum to the
City Council of the city Of Newport"
and purporting to be truthful state
ment Of the collision, was presented
BY member of the Common Council;
though the City government had call
ed for no such report, nor instituted
any enquire into the matter by any Of
fetal act, this ex-parte statement (by
what rule Of Parliamentary usage !
have yet to iearn) was received by
that branch Of the City Government,
(their being barely quorum presently
and sent up TO the Board of ofAldermen,
where it was laid on the table.
This document has since been print
ed by its authors, and in the form Of
apamphlet circulated throughout the
city. In justice to myself therefore,
and to the position which occupy, l
feel called upon to expose the gross
Inconsistencies aud palpable falshoods
of this document, which the Commis-
sioners Of the Asylum have requested
to be placed upon our City Records
"soithout any action OH the part Of
your honorable body" They also
bring charges against the head of the
city government, aad ask "your hon
osable body" to endorse and record,
as truth, their inferencies and heresay
a. testimony they did not wish to have
tho matter investigated. and the few
grains oftruth sifted from he foul as
persions with which they had surround
cd them-but only desired to act the
part Of judges in the matter, and that
the City Council should be the execu-
y TONERS of their vengeance. ".
shall, at this time, review as much
of their Report as purports to be "A
statement of facts. la the first ace,
they charge me with abusing the
righ. to grant permits to persons to
Il visit the Asylum, by granting this
privilege ",o persons of notorious bad
character. Now let US consider upon
what ground this charge is made
As Mayor Of this city, have granted
one permit, and only one. Was this
granted to person of such " Notori.
bad character 7" This question, by
their own acts, (Which speak louder
than words) the Commissioners have
already answered in the negative, be-
cause, while denying my right to
grant this permit, they granted him
one. Upon what grounds, therefore,
do they say ",hat they would not OBJ
ject to apropr exercise of this right
by the Mayor, if the right was not a.
busedp And again, THAT they do
no, grant permits to persons Of no
torious bad character !" such state
ssnts as these are wholly gratultous
s.l uncalled for by any "faets" in the
case.
They next say (in allusion to the
case Of MISS Hesth) THE Mayor at
tempted to procure her discharge
without an order from the Commis-
s:oncrs." Let us look at the founda-
tion upon which this '6aef' rests
gave Heath (the Father Of the wo-
MANI permit, To which ] added
these words, 4" and II you shonldthin
IL prn,i,nt IN do SO, LEI her come oG