The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-10-01
Report Of N Meeting Of the Board OF
Directors OF the w. Wa. sponging
House for the Insane.

A meeting of this highly respectable
body, was held in the Grand Hall ofthe
Institution, last week, when the follow
ing members were present viz. Mr.
Gale, Mr.. Hough, Mr.. Blaruforth, Mr.
McRue and Mr.. Knell.
DR.. Bills, the Secretary, also took a
prominent part in the proceedings.
After transacting some business OF
importance, DR.. Bills delivered himself
of brief but most eloquent harangue,
which we have been fortunately: enabled
to preserve entire, for the benefit OF
whom it may concern.
DIR. Bills grafton was as follows:
Mr.. President:
desire to call the attention Of the
Board to matter of the very highest
importance: matter which l have
been maturing for the last two years.
| have exerted all my influence, all
my elonuence, all my craft, in order
that you might be induced to support
me in the suggestion l am about to
make. I believe you are all aware that
it has been the darling purpose of my
soul ever since / came here, to have the
Construction of the Building, placed in
the hands of suitable person. One
possesed of architectural skill, one
whose ideas of the house building art,
would be far above the vulgar consid-
erations of economy and utility. Aman
who by the strictest attention to the in
terests of his party, by his public mu-
nificence and private stinginesS, and by
his exalted dignity, would be credit to
the State, and model for all slnecure-
lists everyw here. l therefore suggest
that such a one as have indicated, be
appointed to take charge of the con-
strsetiOn of the work. OF course there
will be no difficulty in obtaining the
services of so highly gifted an individ-
ual, but as modesty forbids me pursu-
ing the subject any further, ! confident
ly leave it in the hands of the Board.
The DIR. have resumed his seat, when
the floor Yas Immediately taken by Mr..
Blarnforth who spoke as follows:
Mr.. Presidenti-It gives me very
great pleasure to he able to agree
HEARTILY and entirely with the remarka.
BILE words just spoken by my, respected
friend. He has conclusively shown you,
that the appointment of a suitable per-
son to conduct the work is absolutely
necessary. 1t now becomes my duty
and pleasure to name DR.. Bills himself,
as a Gentleman eIninently qualified for
such responsible position. 1t is scarce
ly necessary to refer to rhe Doctors
architectural skill; he is well knoyn as
one Of the best architects in the State
| NAV, however, be permitted, very
briefly, to direct yOur attention to some
evidences Of his gens1ss .si. and asn" saITe "hl'h
Mr.. President and Gentlemen ;-Dr.
Bills designed and superintendent the
of barn for this establish,
ment; A model barn. 4 unique and
original barn.! An architectural
trophy!.. A monument of genius and
expenditure, upon which the tax payer
may look with longing eyes, and proud
" slapping his empty pockets sing
"YhsTs's Q good time coming
A barn and much more than barn;
a hog-pen, a house, q stable oil IN
one, and placed at such convenient
distance from tbs hospital, that the re,
freshing odors of the hogs, the COWS and
the horses, will beseige the 0lfactsfies
of the patients, morning IOon and night.
Nor is this all. My respected friend
has alss superinteRded the erection OF a
boiler house, the smoke from W hich
putting persistently into the windows OF
the patients rooms, will compel them
TO keen them shut, thereby exercising
biobly beneficial influence upon the
minds and bodies of the insane. If any
further proof of the Doctors architectu-
raj capacity were needed, it could be
fouud In the new parsonage, in town.
The design was furnished by the Doc
tor. and its fancifll and luxuriant or
strikes every beholder
with astonishment. But ! have sai9
enough. President and gentlemen, )
have said enough. The Doctor is ms
own best trumpeter. / therefore for.
mally propose DR.. Bills for the Office OF
Building Superintendent. =.
Mr.. Blsrpforth here resumed his seat,
when Mr.. Gale addressed the meeting
as follows:
Mr.. President-I am not at all sur
prised at the proposal just made by Mr.
Blarnforth. 1t is just what have been
expecting for some time past: supp3s-
ina that their outside slanderings of the
last wear OF I'D have had the desired ef-
feet. DR.. Bills and bis cats paw, Blarn-
forth, have now introduced their pro-
ject to this Board, in the firm hope that
their designs would be promptly put IN
force. Now, before the Board takes any
action in the matter, wish to lay be,
fore it few facts, which DR.. Bills and
his friend have scrupulously avoided.
In order to fully understand the case, II
will be necessary to 60 back to the time
when the present Building Superin'
tendeut was appointed. DIR. Bills
said then that he never sx'
pected such a thing as the h
ennointment of q superintendent; ht
expected that the entire management o
the Asylum would be left in his tDr
Bills') hands. He came to Weston, ex