The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-10-12
THE WESTON ASYLUM.
THE MEETING OF THE DIRECTORS.
The Seal of Secrecy Placed Upon the Proceeding.
Of the BOIrd-So Reporters Admitted to the
Star Chsmbsr SssIOas-NhAt Can
the Object Bs-SurmIsss.

the Object Bs-Surmisss.
} Correspondence ods InieRtpaez.
WESTON, W. Va, October 10.-The reg
;; ular annual meeting Of the Board Of Direo
tors OF the Weston Asylum was appointed
for Tuesday, but from the dilatorious arri
val Of the members, who apparently hat
no very great desire to face the music q
this particular time. there was not quo
rum present, and the meeting was no
opened until to-day.
Three OF the members OF the board ART
residents OF Weston-Judge Edmiston, tht
President, W. G. Bennett and l. H. Clifton
OF these, only two were present Wednes
day morning, Mr.. Bennett being absent al
GIenville. The remaining members OF the
board are: E. G. Cracraft, Wheeling; A
F. Martin, Preston; Capt. Hassler, Jackson
Capt. McNsel, Pocahoatas; @. S. Despard,
Wood; and believe another gentleman
whose name failed To learn.
The directors were very tardy in their
arrival, Capt. Hassler being the first one
on the scene, coming on Mondays train.
Others came on Tuesday, the day appoint
ed, and still the stragglers put in an ap-
pesrance on Wednesday, but even then,
1t was stated that full board was not
present
Early on Wednesday morning your CORES.
pondent visited theAsylum, meeting at the
door Mr. John Berry ,oi whom he inquired II
the directory were in session. The reply
either showed that Mr.. Berry didn't want
to tell or didnt know very much about 1t,
as his answer left the correspondent In
doubt as to whether there was such thing
as either the Asylum, directory or direct
ory meeting. Alter a second attempt to
extract information from this attendant, |
found that portion OF the directors were
then in the reception room, few feet dis.
tant. Asking to be shown into the pres
ence Of the august and dignified assembly
OF the Aaylum management, this same
obliging attendant made two or three steps
in that direction, pointed his finger toward
the door, and in this new and novel man.
uoI VI ptllOluuiuE tlu uuttbe vi hu uhltE-
which am informed il In the ltne Of Mr..
Berry's duties In the day time-bade me
enter.
THE AssHMBLY.
Walking into the room, Of which had
no time even to make a mental note as to
lis embellishments, | observed Judge Ed
mston, the President OF the Board, seated
at table looking over some kind OF
book, which supposed was the records,
and several other gentlemen were seated in
various portions Of the room. Addressing
myself to Mr.. Edmiston, inquired Il news
paper men were admitted or allowed to be
present, or language to that effect. The
reply, unlike that received at the door, left
no doubt as to its intention and meaning
in the fullest sense Of the term, and was
delivered in the Judges usually quiet tone:
"No; we don't want anybody here" So
you can readily perceive that. 1t Is not In.
tended for the public to know anything
whatever in relation to the proceedings Of
the Asylum Directors.
Now, lot the public perfectly understand
the circumstances under which l was
laboring, and consider the manner in
which business Ia apparently transacted
and intelligent readers can very readily
render their verdict-a verdict that will
accord with popular sentiment wherever
the principles Of right and justice have
foot-hold among the people.
lam Democrat OF the strongest Demo-
cratic prociyities. Ivisited the Asylum the
paid employe Of reputable and respect
able journal, to secure for that journal a
report Of the proceedings OF the directors Of
an institution supported by the peoples
money, and conducted for the benefit and
good Of an afflicted and suffering portion OF
our common humanity. My object and
instructions were to write simply report
oil these proceedings, not with any regard
to political color or political lines, as a,mat.
ter OF news in which the people Of the State
at large are, and justly, have right to be
interested. l had no instructions 10 visit
the asylum and cay hateful things OF any
body. l had no prejudice or no bitter feel.
ing or animosities against living creature
connected with the institution to prompt
me to garble facts or warp statements in
order TO make anyone stand out in an un-
favorable light before the public.
an EAtLuelNE bUAhD.
But what was the result am informed
in unmistakable terms that newspaper
men and, in fact that the public is ex-
cluded from the meetings Of the directory.
The public is not 10 know anything about
what has been done, what Is being done,
or what is yet on the, programme. 1t lisa
matter in which the people have no inter.
est and no right TO ask questions or make
inquiries. 1t Is not the institution OF the
people but the private property OF the
individuals who have been fortunate
enough to be placed in control. I spoke
TO two or three OF the employees in relation
to the meeting Of the Directors, asking II
they were usually secret sessions. These
gentlemen have all been very careful and
guarded about their answers. They first
look down their nose, cross-wise at the
questioner, apparently, over their shoulder
to see II there happens 10 be any person
within mile OF them, and finally when
you get all out OF them they know, or will
tell, you find they don't know thing
about the niatter-apparently greatly sur.
prised that one should imagine they could
tell anything whatever about the Asylum.
On any o,her subject they are generally
above the average Ia intelligence. OF those
asked the above question one replied that
he thought the Directors meetings were
not secret, and the other that hethought
1t was customary to admit none during
the session only such as were summoned
b ,iore the Committee.
NO SECRET SESSIONS BEFORE.
Another gentleman, a former employe,
ranarkad In NV nraaenca th;u mornino