The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1871-08-10
A CARD.
10 the Public, and especially 10
those who have friends i'm fhe
Mississippi state Lunatic Asy-
hmm.

Mississippi state Lunauc Asy-
Ium.
In February last rumors OF the most
n scandaIous kind, involving not only the
private character of the Superintendent,
but affecting about FIVE others, officers
and employees of the Asylum, we're put
ahoat in the city Of jackson.
Discreditable as it may be to weak
human nature, gossip Of that sort always
meets with prurient listeners and ready
disseminators. In short time the scan
dial had traversed the State, gaining
strength as it went, in many instances
receiving such notifications and addi-
tons as to lose almost every particle of
Il its original substance.
In matters touching my private char
acter / am no less sensitive than every
3 gentleman of honor should be- Under
II charges affecting my integrity, az an Off
II Ger 10 whose care the most delicate trust
n had been committed, charges that brought
10 nv domestic life keen disturbance,
4 il NAV well be imagined thai | writhed
under them.
Adopting, however, what | deemed to
he the proper course in the matter,
brought it before the Board OF Trustees
at the earliest opportunity, and submitted
II 10 them That Board consisting of
His Excellency, the Governor, and
Messrs. John w. Robinson, w. b. Tay-
Tor. W. H. Allen, ID. n. Barrows, and
DIR. j. L. Carter, all old citizens Of the
city of jackson, at once proceeded to the
Investigation. After three months or
more Of investigation and consideration
IL L..
that the rumol, Of criminality were not
SUI taned by the evidence which they
had been able to procure. In the mean |
time was informed that the Grand Jury |
of the county of Kinds Investigated the |
matter and they failed to find proof to
Justify them in finding bill.
These facts have been known in the /
city Of jackson, and all over the State, /
for more than two months, and if the |
result Of the investigation is not generally /
known, it is because persons have not
been as active in making it known to the
world as they were i'll giving circulation
TO the reports.
| may he permitted to say, in this con-
lection, that the Board of Trustees are
opposed to me politically, and | do not
fatter myself that their partiality for
lne, as an individual, is so great, as to
Warp their judgments in my favor, in an
Investigation so delicate and so impor-
liant.
That Board, as will be seen from their
names, is composed of the old citizens Of
jackson, and some of them were con-
bnected with the Institution fifteen years
hgo. The honor Of the Institution, and
the honor of the officers controlling it
bre in their hands.
4 I'm this card | may be excused for
hlluding to my position as editor of the
LEADER, as that may become the subject !!
BIZ il-natured remark.
Ny office is at the Asylum. Ny du- ,
Ties as editor have not conhicted, and {
Shall not conflict, with my duties as Su-
perintendent. As editor l have two =
CMessrs. Fisher and AlcOrn, i
both old newspaper men and editors.
As Superintendent of the Lunatic
Asylum, | am blessed with a most excel !
lent Assistant, DIR. James Il. Melville, a
Tho is ever at his post, and attentive to 1
,he wants of those under our care. '
My editorials, such as they are, are :
written after ordinary ed-time, when the
household is quiet and asleep. | seldom t
20 to jackson, except on business, other Z
h4n that connected with the paper. d
1t is very seldom that | see an editorial n
II either one of my associates, until | j
ZEE it in the paper. And it is so with
he exchanges. L rarely see any, except Z
hose sent to the Asylum. h
The important business of my life is il
taking care of the Asylum, and its I
Infortunate inmates. | subordinate +
Eerything else to that. The Asylum is a
he pride of my life il
A word to the Press on these subjects, o
nd l trust that | will have done with :
ersonal cards. This is the first / ever b
Trote On a field of fair and legiti-
bate journalism, / challenge you to hon :
rable combat. In assuming the position 7
i editor, | take the risk of modification &,
nd defeat, in political discussions. In il
bat character / am here to cross swords u
Iith the veteran, as well as the tvro, let u
be contest end how it WILL In this ca IL
acity do not ask for quarter, as | shall "
lost certainly grant none. NJ
But in the matter of the late scandal,
fecting the management of the Missis-
ppi State Lunatic Asylum matter
'NolNuS the ISputdllOH VI ueIeHCeIeSS
|males, | trust that your magnanimity
Pill suggest manly forbearance. Such SC
discussion could only have the effect to II
stress those who have friends in the q
|sylum. n
On the high ground of elevated news al al
lper discussion, | will meet you and do y,
little, as best | may, but | trust you will N
pt seek the advantage of striking me OF
ben | am trammelled with matter so ~ ~
elicate as female honor. AT all events,
shall decline to discuss it in the columns bt
the LEADER. tn
May ask the gentlemen of the Press 81
e favor of giving this card an insertion su
their papers? 1t would be personal X
ndness, for which, throughout the tur- u
Oil of editorial life, l shall feel pro- a ar
undly and kindly grateful. su
Very respectfully, tt
VIM M. COMPTON, M. D., in
Supt. Miss. State Lunatic Asylum. ID