The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-04-17
The Western Lunatic Asylum.

The Western Lunatic Asylum.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS. SOME CAM
PAIGN SPEECHES. &C., sc.
Last Tuesday, the new Board OF Direc-
tors of the Western Lunatic Asylum ap-
pointed without regard topolitical aflilia-
tion, but with special reference to their
business qualifications, y met at the Asy-
lum to assume control of the trust COM
mitted to their charge. All of the mem
bers were present, viz: Col. w. L. Bum
gardner and r. w. Burke, of Staunton !;
A. w. Harmai, Jr., of Rockbrldge Sami.
Coleman, of Cumberland f. M, Russell,
of Frederick DR.. S. G. Gleaves, of Wythe;
Thos. Waller, of Spottsylvania Judge
Henry G. Allen. of Shenandoah +: III. y.
Harnsberger, of Rockingham IA. Broadns,
of Page and VIM. G. Pendleton, of Smythe.
OF these, the first-named eight are Demo-
Gratis, and the last three Readjusters.
On the Monday night previous. the Dem
ocratic members. with the exception OF
DR.. Gleaves, held a caucus and agreedto re-
instate the old physicians who were dis
placed by the late Board. Upon assembling
at the Asylum on Tuesday. the members
were severally qualified before a notary.
subscribing. among other things, to that
provision of the law under which they
were appointed. which declared that tile
officers Of the Asylum shall be appointed
without regard to political utilization, but
with sole reference to their qualifications
for the respective positions. Having taken
this OATH they proceeded to the Board
chamber and organized by the unanimous
election of Col. VIM. L. Bumgardner,
President Mr.. Thos. Waller, Secretary land
Messrs. Burke, Harnsberger, Hartman and
Waller, members of the Executive Com
mittee.
The President and Secretary gracefully
thanked the Board for the respective honors
conferred upon them, and the business WAS
commenced
Mr.. Russell moved that before any Of
licers were elected, the question of salaries
should be determined.
Judge Allen moved that the salary of
Superintendent be continued at So 500 per
annum. Seconded by Mr. Hartman.
Mr.. Coleman moved to amend by snbsti-
tuting SIS 900 for $500.
Col. Bnmgardner (Mr. Burke in the
chair supported the resolution of Judge
Allen, and in SO doing let the cat out of
the bag by declaring that the new Super
intendent would give up a lucrative prac-
tice, and that it was due to him that no
reduction in the present salary should he
made.
Mr.. Pendleton said that he was not aware
that the Board had elected a Superintend.
ent, but that he had no doubt the matter
had all been arranged beforehand by the
majority. He favored the amendment.
The matter was then discussed by the
various members of the Board. and the
amendment adopted, Messrs. Bumgardner.
Allen. Hartman. and Waller voting against
it.
The salaries of the first and second physi-
clans were fixed, as before. at 81 500 each,
and that of the third assistant at 81 $50.
The stewards salary was reduced from
81 300 to 81 900 and the clerk s from 81 900
to $500. That of the matron was allowed
to remain at $500.
After the question of salaries had been
determined. Mr.. Pendleton asked that the
election Of officers be postponed in order
to give the members Of the Board an OPP
portunity to examine the yOluminous mass
of credentials which had been submitted
for their consideration. He wanted every
applicant to have fair show, and this
could not be given them unless their
recommendations were carefully read and
considered.
DIR. Gleaves sta ed that it would be i'm
possible for the Board to go over all the
papers laid before it. There were twenty
seven applications for one of the offices,
and he didn't know how many for each of
the others. He favored an examination
only of those papers presented by parties
who would be vouched forby some member
of the Board. Without any formal deca-
ration to that effect, the Board adopted
DIR. Gleaves' suggestion.
Mr.. Burke then nominated DR.. A. M.
Fauntleroy, of Staunton. for Superintend-
emf. He referred to his former occupancy
of that position and to his faithful dis
charge of the duties thereof.
DIR. Gleaves nominated Dr.. w. H Bram-
lit, of Wythe, and spoke with force and
fervor of his qualifications for the place.
A letter from Gen. Jas. A. Walker, strongly
recommending DR.. Bramlitt, was read.
Mr.. PendletOn nominated DR.. r. S. Ham,
ilton, the present incumbent, and said that
his work would speak for itself. He asked
that the Board, as requested by DR.. Ham
ilton, should make a visit to and inspection
OF the various wards of the Asylum. After
some discussion, the Board agreed to sus-
pend for the proposed visit and for dinner
FILLING TIE OFFICES.
Upon re-aSsemb ling after dinner the cleo
tor of officers was commenced. For Su-
perintendent the first ballot resulted as
follows
For DIR. FauntieEey=- Messrs. .Bumgard-
ner, Coleman, Burke, Waller. Allen, Har-
man and Russell.
For DR.. Bramlitt-Dr. Gleaves and Mr..
Hafnsberger.
For DR.. Hamilton-Messrs. Pendleton
and Broadus.
: DIR. Fauntleroy having received major
ity9. of all the votes cast, was declared
elecl led, and a committee consisting of
Messrs.l Alien, Burke and Hartman, was
appointed to notify him.
When tlds last motion was carried, DR..
Gleaves rem. Nked that he supposed DR..
Fauntleroy kntW it alfeady, and from the
short time within which DR.. F. made his
appearance, there were grounds for sup
posing that DR.. Glea, ,ss was not far wrong.
In the meantime, a Le0tiOn to go into
the election of assistant physicians, was
opposed on the ground that the Bylaws
provided that such assistants should be
elected from nominations made Ivy the Su-
perintendent.
DIR. GleayeS vigorously opposed any such