The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1889-09-26
wo@DERFUE REVELATION

The new hoard OF directors OF
The Eastern Insane Asylum met
last week and elected Dir. Wood, Of
Scotland Neck, superintendent. lie
is comparatively unknown 10 the
profession and the people Of the
State, and it is impossible to speak
of his abilities. The card which
doubtless decided the contest in his
favor was the fact that he Is the
cousin Of Gov. Fowle and a brother
in-law of Spier Whitaker, Esq. The
fact that he was elevated above the
eminent men OF his profession in this
State when living IN obscurity shows
that he had forces at work Tor III ID
which are best known 10 the tricky
politician and wire-puIler.
We learn that Gov. Fowle has
written a letter IN which he says that
he had only had conversations with
two members Of the new board, thus
seeking to leave the impression tla'
he did not pack the board as charg-
ed. This is too thin to wash. Will
Gov. FOwle deny that he knew the
sentiments of the board be appoint
sd2 Will he deny that one of his
appointees wrote him letter telling
him that he could not accept the
position on account OF his known
hostility to DR.. Gris5om, and that
he (the Cow used the blank side of
the sheet on which to reply that that
was what he appointed him f1r? /!
he fails to answer these plain ques-
tons the people Of North Carolina
can rightfully conclude that the
cause Of the whole proceeding was
to legislate Grissom out and leglslate
Wood in.
We tremblc for the unfortunate
insane when their house of refuge IS
made the football of politicians. II
BODIES no good to them. They are
the ones who must suffer when kin
ship and bitter partlsanship are con
sidered higher than skill in relieving
humanity of the evil spirit Of insan~
ity. The base hollowness and rotten
ness of the whole affair is becoming
more apparent every day and it only
needs time to expose one of the
basest, foulest and inhuman conspir
acies that ever dlsgraced tie annals
of any people. BelshaZzar can ca
rouse with his mobiles and have a
jolly time while the afflicted insane
suffer for skIitul attention, but very
soon there Will be seen the hands
writing on the wall which it will not
require the inspiration Of Daniel
to interpret: Thou art weighed in
the balances and found wanting "
We have quoted the above article
in full not to give credence to q
SINGLE word, but in order to show the
utter ignorance Of its author.
Mr.. Webster, notwithstanding lie
was Speaker OF the House in the
Legislature of 1887, has shown gross
ignorance IN his attempt to ridicule
DR.. Wood and the directors Of the
Asylum. His first statement, that
DIR. Wood is cousin to Gov. Fowle
and brother-in-Ian to Spier Whitaker
is absolutely false.
Gov. Fowle and DR., Wood are
both descended from Adam, we sup
pose and that Is the nearest relation
that can be traced between them, ex
cept they are both true and patriotic
democrats " North Carolina, and
have never made sindependentism'
subterfuSe for republican favor.
DR.. Wood and Spier Whitaker are
no nearer related than Mr.. Webster
and the great London divine. Maj
john Henry Whitaker. an Older
brother of Spier Whitaker, married
Mrs. Woods sister IN 1850, about 3!
years ago. And he was killed IL
1868 at Fairfax court honse, in the
advance on Gettysburg, gallaDly lead
Ing the LIST n. c. Cavalry, while
Gen. Lee was crossing the Patomac
Mr.. Webster's Socond statement
that Dr. Wood went from obscurity
20 the superinteLdency OF the Asy
lum is another gross misrepresenta
ton, and shows the wilful ignorance
of the writer, for he could have learn
ed better.
DR.. Wood has been q mamber o
the State Medical Society of NortI
Carolina for p years, and he ha:
been chairman of the Board of led
ical Examiners for years. S,
much as to his popularity IN The
great brotherhood Of physicians Q
the State.
In his own county DR.. Wood il
known by every man. He has beer
chairman of the Board Of Count,
Commissioners for years. He came
to that responsible place when til,
county was $4,000 III debt anc
when the taxes were 81 sc. ThG
debt was all paid two years ago Will
money left in the treasury and to-
day the taxes are only Sc cents il
the place Of 81 Sc eight years ago
DR.. Woods administration as Char,
man of the Board has been one O.