The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-11-23
a CARD.
West Virginia Hospital for tho
Insane.

WESTON, w. VA, Nov. 10, '67.
Editors Inteltigencer:
DEAR SIRs:-As there has been a
great deal written, and said concerning
this institution and it's Medical Super
liutendent, and the horrible manage.
Inent IT is undergoing, 1t may not be
improper for me to say few things
with reference to it; but not in reply to
the publications that have appeared in
the Weston ErpOSitOr and Wheeling
Register, as they were too absurd and
obscene to merit the notice of intelli-
gent people, but simply statement of
a few well authenticated facts. Being
a citizen of Weston, have had a few
opportunities for observing what Is
they are known 10 most OF our
people here. These grave charges were
made against DIR. Hills and the Board
of Directors by a member of the Board /,
MIR. p. NJ. Hale. a proper under
standing of the reasons Mr.. hale had
for making these charges will place the
matter in its true light. The Board OF
Directors in the main is composed OF
gentlemen whose business talents are
of high order, and whose honesty and
Integrity are second to none in the
State-men who are honorable and
above meanness. But there seems to
be- one at least whose inordinate lust
laws OF the State, as we'll as OF honesty.
Mr.. Hale has had every brick contract
that the institution has made since he
has been director. The law of the
State prohibits this: SO that director
cannot be a contractor. The way in
which he managed this, was to offer
bids In the name of a Mr., Osbern, of
Clarksburg, aud being member of the
building committee, of course he
knew Just where to place his
figures, and the result was he
obtained and Hlled all of the con-
tracts for bricks. This course was pur-
sued until the advertisement for brick
contracts was but pitiful farce, and it
became common saying amorg brick
men, that "the advertising tOds u farce,
for the Board would give II to Mr.. Hale
anyhow" The Board felt that 1t was a
sacrifice of their selI-respect TO have
this thing continued, for they were fire.
Quently charged with dishonesty, (by
persons from different parts OF the
State, in keeping the contracts within
themselves. They felt 1t to be their
duty, under the circumstances, to ask
Mr.. Hale If he intended to continue
this undetermined way of taking con-
tracts, to resign his position As director,
telling him that lfhe must be a contract
or, that he ought not to be u director.
But no, this he would not do, for then
his opportunities for Illegally graphing
up the public money would be cut of.
I The board of directors then felt that
something must be done to protect their
| honor, and the Institution from almost
| irreparable injury, and TO this end they
| passed a resolution that no bills for
material should be paid without the
approval of DR.. Hills, the secretary OF
| the board. This was too much for Mr..
Hale. He flew into terrible rage, and
abused the members of the board at u
terrible rate, and especially was his
spleen vented on DIR. Hills, iOr he knew
him we'll enough to know that he would
neither be bTi6ed nor cheated. He then
| published an article in the Weston En-
UOSitOT, which was but tirade of abuse
against the board of directors and DR..
| Hills, and terribly misrepresented the
facts in the case, and not only by this,
but by other scurrtlous articles whlch
he insiigated, brought the board OF d.
rectors and the Institution into disre-
Dute. Thereupon the bonrd passed n
resolution to the effect that us
Mr.. Hale had in these publications
sacrificed his principles as gem
tleman, an honest man, and one in
whom trust might be Contided, that he
was unfit to sit in council with them as
Il member of the board, and asking the
Governor to act accordingly, which, OF
course, WAS asking the removal OF Mr..
Hale.
Il seems to me that Mr.. Hale sup
poses that If he can effect DR.. Hill's re-
moyal, and get man in his stead that
is suited to his purpose, his road 10
wealth is short and easy, and perhaps
Ii is, but oh, what sad calamity to the
State and this institution when their
interests are committed TO such hands.
As far as DIR. HilPs management OF the
Institution is concerned, all seems to &C
On well, 1 hear of no dissatisfaction
!, l I,FF HnlR and h1H fellow
aspirants. DIR. Hills has the reputation
here of dealing closely and economical
10 when in the distribution OF ofthe,publiC
money, and as TO the horrible conductioi
all concerned with the Medical Depart
ment spoken of by the wheeling RSgIS-
te1', is matter wholly UNKNOWN nete 81
among the citizens. may be permit
ted to say that Mr.. Hale claims justin
cation in his wicked course upon the
Ground that he has suffered loss during
the war; buthas he right TO violate the
law and Illegally grapPle up the pubic
money because he has suffered from the
war? He also makes great boast
of his LOYALTY, but unfortunate
ly for him, his article appeared
in the Weston EEpOSitOr, and
this paper and the Wheeling Regis
ter are his defenders. Certainly we
4 may apply the old adaEe, birds OF a
feather flock together. The question 70
. | ASk9u, lEc6o NV NAsA
does not DIR. Hills come out aud deieno
hiInselfH" l suppose he feels much as
4 the lion did, in the fable, who met the
sknnk. who bantered him tor fight;
but the lion declined, saying that ne
could put his foot on him and crush
him, but he, himself, would stink Tor y
month to come. I. too, join IN call
for committee of tnVestlRaton, from
The Legislature, who will judtoiously
axamine into all OF DR.. Hills official
acts, aud IL they find him guilty, let
| him suffer accordingly; but If on the
| contrary, they lind him innocent, let
Them exonerate him from this blame,
and permit him to enjoy among us the
fair and untarnished reputation he has
always enjoyed in his native state. l
hope they will also inquire into the
If they be guilty of any wrong, and es-
peciaIly into the course Of Mr.. Hale,
in the double capacity OF director
and contractor, and see IL there
ia not "something rotten in Denmark" "
i II they lind any blame, let 1t fall
where 1t belongs, and not on the inno-
cent. have written this letter, De-
cause L thought it due to Justice, to let
the people know Just how these mat
ters are. and that they might prepare
for the fullest Investigation. which
am sure Mr.. Hale does not desire, II his
acts are to be taken into consideration.
DR.. Hills was brought here from his
native State, where he enjoyed the
fullest confidence and esteem OF all, 70
assist our new State in building up, and
developing this noble constitution, anu no
abused, and whipped in this manner,
all because he has been true TO MS trust
and could not be used as tool In the
hands of those who would rob the state