Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-01-08
What the Augusta Delegates are Doing.

Since the re-assembling of the Legisla-
ture, our delegates have introduced the
following bills:-
By Mr.. Opie: To provide for manned
soldiers, sailors and marines not provided
for by similar act passed in 1872; also
bill authorizing the employment Of convict
labor on county roads.
By Mr.. Echols; To authorize the Board
of Supervisors to increase the salary of the
superintendent of the poor for the county
of Augusta.
By Mr.. Echols: Resolution extending
err General of the Worlds Industrial and
of the floor of the House during his visit to
the capital of Virginia.
WIn the House on last Saturday, the reso-
luton in reference to the management of
the Western Lunatic Asylum came up,
when Mr.. Opie arose and said:-
hold in my hand, Mr.. Speaker, the re-
port of the Superintendent of the West
ern Lunatic Asylum, at Staunton. This
report contains an outrageous, malicious
ard vindictive charge against my party in
the county of Augusta. The Superinten-
dent Of the asylum, after the poisoning
which occurred there, which is familiar to
every reading man in the State of Virginia,
employed PinkertOn detective. He was
introduced in the asylum. Tat man was
allowed to visit the neghboring town.
That man made report, which l say con-
tains upon the face of it a felonious and out
rageous Charge. say it is important and
necessary that this committee (the resolu-
ton provided for the appointment OF a
committee of investigation) should be ap-
pointed to show where the blame lies in re-
gard to this poisoning. After the investi-
cation made by the grand jury they could
not fluid and locate the blame upon any par
ocular individual.
| have now new evidence which in my
opinion will show that the poisoning was
done through negligence and mismanage.
ment, and not malice. ! hops that it will
be the pleasure of this House to appoint
| the committee.
| Mr. Opie then read the statement of the
detective in the superintendent report,
which was as follows:
Elm accordance with yonr request we Sc
lected a first-class detective to make the in
vestigation, who was furnished with every
4 facility by yourself while at the asylum to
get any information that could be obtained.
And the conclusion arrived at. from the re-
ports Of the detectives and personal inter-
! views, i that the poisoning resulted from
no carelessness Or lack d precauti0n on the
part Of the Faculty, but was evidonsly 10
work of design, and has been perpetrated
by parties outside of the institution, whom
it is unnecessary, and would also be inju-
dici0us, TO name at this time. !"
contend that that is compounding fel-
ony, and he party should know that those
who can locate this poisoning are accessory
after the fact, and are as criminal as the
man Or individual who committed it.
Mr.. Pollard (Democrat) said: shall
vote, but not for the purpose of indicating
anybody. l shall vote te ascertain wheth
er there has been any mismana cement of
the asylum. If there has been let US know
it, that We may legislAte ON the subjec
1t is a question of public interest that de-
mands that we shall look into
Mr. Banks (Mahonepte) said: Our party
courts full and free Investigation in re-
gard to this matter.
The resolution was agreed to.