Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1875-02-13
DIR. STEELE AGAIN MOUNTS his WAR
HORSE.
Olympia Feb 4th 1875 {

Olympia Feb 4th 1875
Mr.. Editor have delayed reviewing
the report of " the commission" to ex-
anime into the condition of the Insane
Asylum, for the want of leasure to give
the subject that careful consideration,
that lit deserves; and might not have
thought it worth while, at this time had
NOT the GO Offcini organs" reproduced
the report in second issue, thus trying
to influence public opinion in its favor.
There is so much that is faulty, and un-
true in the organisation of the commits
sion and their report, that it is difficult
to examine them properly in the limits
of o newspaper article. So with the
exception Of saying that the commission
was not organized in the manner re-
quested by the Med Society Of W. 7.
i shall pass that matter over and refer
to their acts. In the first place they
went to Steilacoom-with the evident
expectation of having every thing 4" cut
and dried for them," ready to their
hand; SO that they could make up their
minds in one day. The first difficulty
they encountered was the refusal of the
Deputy Sheriff to sumons the witnesses,
ostensibly- because there was no pro-
vision for his pay. At this time it must
be remembered that this Deputy Sheriff
had been one of the Inspectors of the
Asylum, and had direct interest, in
preventing o fair examination. Then
they complain that there was no
body to act as prosecutor-and yet in a
few sentances further on, they complain
very bitterly-because DR. Hemenway
had taken pains to collect and write out
the evidence as he understood it, for
their use, and virtually ascribe improper
motives, to him for SO doing. In re-
gard to the evidence produced they
say, that, every much was frivolous in
character, and not worthy OF serious
consideration, and illustrate by giving
statement of the. testimony of one
Kellogg, former warden-and Good
hue, late patient but now night watch
man in the Asylum. In regard to Kel-
logg, it may be remarked, that wit
ness often tell one story to any person
seeking information, and apparently
another, (under the skilful manipula-
tions of an acute lawyer on the stand.
And when it is known that MIR. Har-
mon had the advice andcouneil of three
LAWYERS, for his defence, ,rhae there fcas
no one to prosecute the incongruity OF
witnesses, can be accounted for, and
vet leave the question of the truth, in
abayance.c As to Goodhue, they claim,
| that this was q case of hallucination
This may be true. Yet this same Good
hue is the most trusted man in the Asy.
lum, and noted for his exactness in the
statement of little facts and incidents,
that are constantly occurring under his
observation. And the man Allen whose
| testimony was taken in opposition, is
the man whom Goodhue accuses OF
using undue severity. 1t is a matter OF
course that he would make a statement
that would justify his own acts And
further, taking Aliens own, statement
as given to the writer Of this by one OF
the commissioners, it would show that
be was not q man who naturally chooses
the best means to sooth and quiet pa
tient when excited. 1 His statement
under questioning by Goodhne was in
substance that, the latter, while work
g in the woods, became excited aud
iarted to run to the Asylum, that 9
Swede, also 1unatic, picked up club,
and started to run after him, and Alien
is9rTGLb v tS X s-itG sVfisi aiis CfH!