Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-08-11

THE BOARD ADJOURNED.
Staff Special
WESTON, w. VA, August 10.-The
lie was passed between opposing coun-
sci in the Stathers investigation this
afternoon, and but for the prompt in
reference of members Of the board,
blows would have been exchanged.
DR.. Stathers sat beside W. B. McGary,
one of his attorneys and Mr.. Foster
charged that he prompted McGary to
oppose motion guaranteeing protec-
ton to emnloyes of the hospital who
testified Mr. McGary had previously
charged that employees had been prom
ised promotion for tessifylng, in the
event Of the removal Of DR.. Stathers.
Mr.. Foster resented this warmly and
when he concluded Mr.. McGary charac-
terized Fosters charge as ty black
malignant lie
The two started toward each other,
but were prevented from exchanging
blows
Good humor was restored a moment
later when Col Pap" Tolar, offered
to stake off a twenty foot ring for
the belligereDt lawyers.
The prosecution betrayed considera-
BILE bitterness Of feeling and appeared
to regard the board with suspicion.
Several remarks which indicated mis-
trust provoked Col Sterling to state
ment in which he sharply criticised the
disposition to prejudice the purity of
the boards intentions.
PRESIDENT MEIGHEN
remarked that he was Indifferent and
was only actuated by sense of duty
The major portion of the day was
wasted in squabbling over technicali-
ties, but late in the afternoon all the
preliminary points were cleared up and
the first witness was placed on the
stand
There was a continual wrangfing
among counsel over the admissibility
OF certain evidence, all growing out of
the neglect to establish rules of pro-
ceedure in advance.
While the witness was on the stand
she was led by Mr.. Foster, and a num-
Der of mainly irrevelent matters were
introduced Dr. Stathefss counsel was
silent possibly with view to also Of
feTing irreve,ent matters for the de-
Tense. But Ben Meighen's legal mind
terrupted Mr.. Foster and asked him to
proceed in accordance with rules OBJ
tanning in Ordinary practice
The board promptly overruled its pre-
siding officer by adopting a motion pro-
viding that objections must come from
opposed counsel
The anticipated wrangle over attend
anc2 and payment of witnesses was the
feature of the morning session. The
question was settled by the adoption OF
a rule requiring each side to provide
and
PAY IT'S OWN WITNESSES.
The board to do likewise in the event
that additional witnesses are desired.
1t was agreed that the board had no
power to compel attendance of wit
nesseS.
A motion was adopted declaring that
the position of no employee of the hos
pital shall be forfeited because of any
evidence which may be given.
The prosecution offered the new
charges referred to yesterday in these
dispatches, and they were promptly
tabled by the board.
The new charges were five in num-
Der, two of a general and three of a
specified character. The general charg-
es alleged lax enforcement of rules and
tolerating of inebriety among employees.
The first specific charge covers the
alleged improper proposals of DR.. Stath-
ers to Mrs. Seeppie Brandon, of Barbour
county, mentioned in to-day's Register.
The second alleges that in the summer
of 1897, Mrs. Ethel Roush. an attendant,
was i'll and DR.. Stathers visited her and
made improper advances.
The third alleges that he left the in
stitution about June Is, 1899, with
Harriet Green, former attendant, and
that the two made a trip to Cincin-
natl.
1t was late in the afternoon when
Mrs. Mary l.. Sommerville, the prin-
cipal witness for the prosecution, was
placed on the stand. She is %. very
prepossessing, but nervous and deli
cate looking. She told her story in a
straightforward manner and percept-
IDLY impressed the members of the
board.
When the direct examination was
concluded and Mr.. McGary asked her
question concerning facts in connec-
ton with her marriage, there was a
prompt objection, but tears came to the
eyes Of the witness and during the pro-
tracted argument over the relevancy
of the evidence she was very much agi-
&ofad