The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-03-03
STAUNTON.

MEETING OF TIE ASYLUM DOAiSD 'ONbi-
TON OF THINGS AT THE AsYLUM-TnE IN
QUEST, THE MANAGEMENT, THE PATIENTS
EMIGRAYTs FOR THE WEST.
fCorrespondence OF the Richmond Dispatch.l
MARCH ,, 1888.
A meeting of the Board OF Directors OF
the Western Lunatic Asylum will be held
on the 14th instant. at which an election OF
officers for the ensuing twelve months will
take place. Your correspondent has not
heard OF any contemplated change in the
management.
Since last Saturday nothing scarcely has
been talked OF in this community but the
asylum mystery and the probable result OF
the investigation which has been gong on
all this week. The inquisition has been
entrusted to jury composed OF SIX OF the
practical businessmen OF the city, and the
tendency and character OF their investiga-
ton has shown that, although city attor-
new, coroner, and jury are all OF different
politics from the asylum management-a
fact which struck no one until they were
gotten together-no fairer-minded men
could have been found in the community.
In all their research the kindliest feeling
has been shown TO the officials in their great
trouble and embarrassment. There has
been decided leaning towards the theory
advanced by the Superintendent and his
assistants. and no opportunity has been
lost to elicit evidence in support Of that
theory and in the reiutation OF any charge
of incapacity and culpablc carelessness on
the part OF the prescribing physicians.
The demands made by the press, as well
abroad as at home, have been very heavy
upon the small reportorlal corps OF this lit
tie city, and az general thing the reports
which have gone abroad nave been fair and
unbiased by prejudice. n partisan effort
has, however, been made in some OF the
correspondence TO underrate the gravity
Of the affair and the embarrassment OF
the situation at the asylum by cha
racterizing the correct reports which
| have gone out more extensively rs eXagge-
rated, sensational, and inaccurate. 1t is
said that no effort has been made
to conceal the affair from the pa
tientS, and that there is no appearance
OF anything unusual having happened.
Those who know the source OF this last in
formation, and understand that it Is hardly
possible to get an unpreiudiced statement
from that direction when there is any eX-
cuse for partisan bias, will give it only that
much Of credence to which it is entitled.
The writer has simply to reiterate what lac
has stated in his various dispatches regard
ing the condition OF affairs. 1t would be
unnatural II things were otherwise. He
has Just conversed with female patient
who knew nothing Of the poisoning affair.
She only knew that Mr.. Vaughan was dead,
and said he died Of paralysis. None OF her
ward probably knew anything Of it, or
she would not have been ignorant. The
writer was told by an official the facts
regarding concealment from the patients
thought 1t wise and humane pre-
caution that had been taken. and even
assisted in carrying out the deception. An
other official mentioned that a number OF
conyalescents had refused TO take medi-
cine. Another employee said there was
naturally great CONSERVATION and alarm
felt in the little community. These are the
two statements. Let any unparalleled
person take cOmmon-sense view OF both,
aud say which Is 'inaccurate." Before
leaving the subject, however. will say
that the Superintendent took occasion on
Wednesday to thank the Dispatch reporter
for his fair and accurate report.
On last Tuesday there went west over
the Valley railroad siXty-three passengers,
many OF them emigrants from the Valley.
The telephone Is soon to be introduced
In Staunton, thirty-three subscribers having
| been secured. VOx.