The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1883-09-29

piobdtioh tIic CUliiucutS VI Tic NEW
DOMINION upon the management OF
the Asylum at Weston.
But the New DOMINION cannot, in
turn, commend the course and com
ments of the Inteligencer toward
that same institution; nor do we con-
cede that our position justifies Gre
character of the criticism ard as.
saults which that journal has in
dulged against the management OF
the Asylum.
The difference between the Intelli-
ycncer and the New DOMINION is this
that while the Inteliigencer has been
making wholesale and somewhat
reckless accusations against the per-
sonnet of the management-none of
which, We think, have been sustained
by the proofs adduced, and many of
which we're concocted and inspired
by personal enmity or fabricated for
partisan purpose-the New DOMINION
has sought to refer any or all the ir-
regularities that may appear in the
management, not to the malfeasance
or dercliction Of the officials in
charge, but to the defect in the Or
ganization of the institution itself.
We have assumed that the officials
in charge of the Asylum, from DR..
Bland, down to the lowest subordin-
ate, are faithful and conscientious,
and doing their utmost to conduct
its affairs creditably to themselves
and the State.
We have no proof to the contrary.
A thorough Investigation Of the
affairs Of the Asylum was made by
the last Legislature through COM
mittee on the ground, and there has
been no complaint or suspicion of
Encouragement or wrong in it's az
fairs since that time, except in the
single instance of some loose and
unsupported charges made by a
reckless correspondent of the Intel
igencer
The New DOMINION does not take
any stock in these charges. The
New DOMINION will not lend itself to
the work Of besmirching officials in
high places of responsibility except
upon substantial proof. 1t will not
take the mumbling utterances Of
malicious correspondent as proof.
1t will demand substantial charges
from responsible source. 1t will
hold the officials Of that institution,
or any other, as guiltlcss until the
contrary is reasonably established.
But the New DOMINION is willing
to concede, and has SO charged, that
the organization of the Asylum for
the Insane is grossly deficient; that
it is impossible, under the existing
organization, to carry out the main
purposes of such an institution; that
it is impossible, with the small force
of physicians in charge, to give even
intelligent supervision, much less
curative treatment, to the unfortun-
ate occupants under it's roof; that it
is impossible that there should not
be grave and inhuman neglect Of
curative means and agencies; that it
is impossible that DR.. Bland, or any
other man, should be able to admin
lister the financial and business az
fairs of a great institution like that,
which involves the expenditure of
from sevepty-five % one hundred
thousand dollars per annum, and at
the same time administer medical
treatment and give professional care
and supervision to five or six hun
dred insane patients; that to attempt
to conduct this institution on such
a plan is simply to make it what
we have termed it, "a great jail"
and as such it is a discredit to the
State, and reproach upon our civil
lization.
We admit also, that it is a reproach
upon the Democratic party. As the
party is responsible for the admins
tration of the State government it is
responsible for the defective organi-
cation Of the Asylum, even if it did
not organize it. We have no dispo-
sition to shield the party from this
responsibility. The Democratic par
ty must overhaul and correct the
defects in the organization of this
institution or the people will call it
to account for the neglect.
We are ready to join the Intelli-
gencer in raid upon this point in
the concerns of the Asvlnm. ar We