National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-02-20
A SUPPRESSED SCANDAL.
The virginia Eastern Insane Asylum
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The Virginia Eastern Insane Asylum
Investigation and Its Inside History.
RICHMOND, VA, Feb. 10.-Nothing is too
bad to be attributed to a Republican in
Virginia by a bourbon. No suggestion
from a Republican source, be 1t ever so
good, is for one moment tolerated by those
whom the bourbon press of Virginia puts
down as the "best people," A short while
after the fraudulent general assembly of
Virginia Of 1Ss3'S4 voted out Of office all
Republicans simply because they were Re-
publicans, it was heralded throughout the
state that an effort had been made TO poison
the inmates Of the Eastern Lunatic Asylum,
situated at Williamsburg. The bourbon
press generally tried to make 1t appear that
such dastardly conduct could only be
INDUCED in by Republicans who were
DESTROYS Of casting odlum upon tho now
bourbon management Of the asylum. This
thought was 80 fascinating to the bourbons,
and the charge would go so far in justfylng
the removal Of the competent officials whose
Republieanism they could not tolerate, that
detective was employed to place the re-
sponsibility OF the endeayor to poison luna
tics by scattering meat and arsenic about
the grounds of the asylum. This detective
traced the arsenic to the drug room Of the
asylum, and should have made a report to
that effect; but the bourbons had no use for
such report, nor did the bourbon press of
Virginia ever withdraw the charge against
the Republicans. This was the first investi-
CATION Of the Eastern Lunatic Asylum, and
resulted In no report. .... 80
Later on, In June last, disastrous fire,
resulting In the loss Of about half the build
ings and Of several patients lives, occurred,
which has been attributed to the gross neg
leet OF the management by almost
every one who has any knowl-
edge Of the affairs OF the asylum. This
disaster was investigated by the board of
directors Of the institution, but II any blame
was ever attributed to the management, or
II the management was ever reported to the
governor Of Virginia, the facts have not
been made known TO the people Of the
state, many Of whom have unfortunate
| friends at the asylum. But unquestion-
ably the most objectionable infamy ever
| committed in any asylum was perpetrated
| In this, when an employe under the present
management violated the person Of mar
ried female inmate. The examination Of
this case in the courts developed a state Of
| affairs which caused many persons to
| seriously consider as TO the duty of remov-
| Ing their friends from the institution. II
there had been accommodations in the
other asylums Of the state they would have
done so.
II any of these undisputed facts have ever
been reported to the governor OF the state
by the directors OF the asylum 1t is not
known, and no bourbon paper has ever
been honest enough to print the truth about
the institution, although they must know
| the facts. When the present general assem-
| bly, met, the undercurrent Of popular feeling
| was so strong against the management OF
this institution that a bill to vacate the
boards of all the asylums was offered.
\ There was nothing against the other
asylums, and this bill would have passed
| but for that fact; as II Is, however, the bill
now lies on the table in the senate, IL being
| generally understood that IL Is to be allowed
to die there, as Its passage would reflect
| upon some members OF the genera.assembly.
OF the investigation Of the institution
and its management, by q committee of
the present assembly, It is openly charged
that number Of witnesses were not al
lowed to tell what they knew about 1t, but
were cut of from giving such testimony as
| would force some action on the part Of the
| legislature. The members Of the assembly
| who are willing to defend the course Of
action of committee which refused to
accept the best evidence of dlsinterested
witnesses by simply abusing those
who think that "smothering'' manner of
| investigation are not to be wholly over
looked, but they would deserve more re-
| spect IL they shall make full report Of the
Eastern Lunatic Asylum management, and
thus give Gov. Lee an opportunity to do
his duty with reference TO 1t, provided the
committee report at such late date that
the assembly cannot act.