Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1899-08-23
Wheeling Register.

GuuA SIS anu lut htSutt VI iHC
1uiry.
Wheeling Register
WESTON. w Va. August, 81
The sole topic Of conversation here is
the termination of the Hospital scan
dial. As matter of course there is a
division of sentiment relative to the
justice of the verdict by the Board.
To thoroughly comprehend the situa-
ton of affairs at the institution, with
particular reference to the investiga
ton and the events leading up to it,
knowledge of its political phases is
necessary.
Politics was factor in the charges,
and it is popular belief that politics
was factor in the verdict.
The fact that political recalcitra-
tion rather than desire to purify the
morals of the institution was a mo
tive in the prosecution has been so
thinly yelled as TO be apparent even
under superficial observation. Mr..
r. Ad. Hall is postmaster Of Weston:
and aspires to the leadership of his
party in Lewis county. 1t is gener-
ally understood that he promised
places at the Hospital to dozen of
his political friends, and it is not dis
puted that he was unable to deliver
the goods. This affected his prestige
as leader, and the retention of eff
Gent Democrats by Dr. Stathers in
creased the burden of his humiliation.
Halls appeal to Governor Atkinson
was no more productive of the desired
results than his Importantly Of DR..
Stathers. The bitterness of feeling
which was manifested during the trial
has resulted in a closer definition of
fractional lines in Lewis county. 1t
has been a Republican fight, however,
and Democrats have comprehended its
significance and wisely held aloof.
The indications point to a continual
tion of the fight by Hall and the six
teen citizens of Weston.
Hall is the recognized leader of the
younger faction of the party, whieu
embraces several elements. Mr.. Eos
ter, who was the principal attorney
for the prosecution, is understood to
be prospective, candidate for prose-
cutting attorney. State Senator
George G. Cole, who was associated
with him, Is charged with political
ingratitude, inasmuch as he was, pre-
vious to April, treasurer of the hos
pital, nice plum with several hun
dred year attached, involving very
little necessary expenditure of time or
money.
Whether or not Governor Atkinson
commissioned his appointees on the
Board of Directors, to "whitewash"
the superintendent, is a matter for
conjecture. The insinuation is indig-
nantly resented by the Board Presi-
dent Meighen says letter from the
Governor to him, intimates that
prompt trial and fair verdict upon the
evidence presented would be most
satisfactory to Atkinson. In this
connection, it is understood that B.
D. Gibson Democratic member from
Charles Town, wrote very drastic
letter to Dave Snyder, who has been
prominent figure in the prosecution,
because of Snyder's failure to retract
the statement that Gibson received
letter from Atkinson, asking him TO
f'whitewash" Stathers. How much
the feeling against Hall. Snyder, ct
al, influenced the Board If at all, in
reaching its verdict, the public must
Judge
Throughout the investigation, it
was evident that the Board was very
friendly to Dr. Stathers, with but
one possible exception. Alex. Nc
Weigh Miller, of Greenbrier, was usu-
ally on the minority side. He had
several ''tiffs" with Meighen over the
admissibility OF evidence, and the
relevancy of matters, which the pros
ecution endeavored to show by its
witnesses. Most of these disagree
ments were due to the absense Of any
clearly defined rule of procedure.
President Meighen appeared to be
governed by the practice of Circuit
Courts, while Mr. Miller contended
consistently for wider scope Of in
quiry, ignoring legal technicalities, in
order to admit all testimony which
might enable the Board to form a cor
rect opinion as to the guilt or inno-
cenee of the superintendent. Mr..
Miller was the only member of the
Board who refused to concur ia the
verdict Of .snot guilty"
Friends of DR.. Stathers charge that
Mr.. Miller was actuated in his course
during the investigation by desire
for the removal of DR.. StatherS and