The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1889-08-01
Biblical Recorder.

The trial lasted nearly four weeks
and was as thorough as the Board OF
Directors could make it, not having au-
thOrity to enforce the attendance oil
witnesses. The fact that neither DIR.
Fuller. the Assistant Physician Of the
Asylum. nor DR.. Murphey. of the
Mo..ganton Asylum. could be put on
the stand has provoked criticism in
some quarters. Learned counsel both
for and against DIR. Grissom have given
their great abilities to this investiga-
ton. and the verdict Of the Board is
now with the people.
LOuisburg Times.
The Times is clearly of the opinion
that DIR. Grissoin should step down and
out. and the sooner the better. We
believe the Board acted conscientiously.
but at the same time We are of the
opinion that DIR. GrissOm is guilty of
some Of the charges preferred against
him. and that if he does not tender it
very soon his resignation ought to be
aGked for by the Board.
Nashville Argonaut.
The Board of Directors declared by
majority vote that DIR. GrissOm was
not guilty Of the charges. There seems
to be a very great difference of opinion
as to the correctness of the conclusion
reached by the majority Of the Direc-
tors. No one for a moment doubts the
integrity and capacity of the Board.
All admit that they were men of fine
intelligence and high character. We
do not undertake to say that DIR. Girls
som has not been guilty of indiscretion.
There are but few who can pass
through the same ordeal without the
disclosure of some indiscreet act. A
majority of the Board has said be is
not guilty as charged, and we think it
entirely safe for the community to ac-
cept their finding as correct.
Newton Enterprise.
The people of North Carolina are
Justly indignant at such verdict. and
the matter will not rest here. 1t has
been the rule that no man should hold
Il position of this character who was
not above even suspicion. In this case
the reading public. who are as thor
Oughly competent TO reach conclusion
as the men who heard the oral testimo-
nyny, have decided that there is not
only ground of suspicion against DIR,
Grissom. but that he is beyond doubt
guilty.
Salisbury Waterman.
We have no right to condemn the
verdict of the Trustees unless we could
shoe that it was wrong. And while it
may be admitted that it was possible
for the Board to err, the probabilities
are all in support of their decision.
They have all the facts in the case before
them, and from these made up their
verdict. The presumption is that they
are conscientious men and rendered an
honest decision. Certainly the contra
~ should be made to appear before ac-
cusing them either of error or cOrrup-
ton. We therefore accept the decision
as sustained by the facts in the case.
New Berne Journal.
Since the evidence of the prosecu-
ton was in. the Journal has not been
tain his place as superintendent no
matter what the verdict of the Board.
And we believe it is the verdict of 4
large majority Of the people Of North
Carolina to-day. who have read the
testimony. that DR.. Grissom should
resign. No one would have rejoiced
more than the Journal if he could have
been acquitted without doing violence
to the evidence produced. 1t is not
like criminal prosecution where the
prisoner has the benefit of the doubt
In this case the people of North Caro-
lima are entitled to the benefit of the
doubt, and if this investigation has left
a doubt upon the minds of the people
as to DR.. Grissom's innocence his res
ignatiOn ought to be asked for by the
same Board that acquitted him.
KinstOn Free Press.
The real tribunal before which DR..
GrisSOm was arranged is the best pub
lie opinion of the State. and the only
important question is. what is the YER
dict of the State: Will the State of
North Carolina be satisfied to continue
in such a pOsition-one imperativclv
demanding the highest personal purely
and supp enc delicacy and refinement.
a man whom three out of eight of his
triers pronounced guilty of the grossest
immortality. 1t seems to us this is but
sorry vindication and only amounts
to what the lawyers call mistrial.
while the Indictment continues in force.
At any rate. he would be hardy man
who would assert that. on that evil
dencc, DR.. Grissom was above sus-
picion. and if that be true he ought to
be compelled to resign.
Greensboro North State.
After a careful perusal of all the tes-
timOnv. we could look for no other re-
suit. There was no evidence of any
act on the part of DR.. Grissom that
csnIld lead even to his censure. The
attempts to torture different transac-
tons into criminal conduct only weak
ened the prosecution in the minds of
all disinterested and unprecedented per-
sons. And the efforts to distprt the
manner of treatment Of VIC
lent patients into acts of cruelty. was
the last resort of an ill-judged and ILL
attuned attack on a man who is beloved
and revered by hundreds of patients
who have enjoyed his treatment. In
the most trying aspect of his pain at
being thus wantonly assaulted. it must
be pleasing and gratifying to DIR. Girls
som to contemplate the atfectionate
support he had from former patients.