The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1899-08-30
The STATHERS VERDICT.
How the Resulrof the Trial is
Viewed
The Decision is a Prolific Subject of
Conversation at weston-Politics
Evidently Had Much to do With the
Charges and the Result Of the En-
auirv
Wheeling Register.

L'iuehus hau huch 10 10 WIN Tue
Charges and the Result or the En-
qniry.
Wheeling Register
WESTON. w. Va. August. 22.-
The sole tonic of conversation here is
the termination Of the Hosnital scan
dial. AS a matter of course there is a
( division of sentiment relative tn the
/ Justice OF the verdict by the BOARD.
/ TO thoroughly comprehend the situa-
ton of affairs at the Institution. with
particular reference to the inyestiga-
/ tioD and the events leading up to il.
/ knowledge OF its political nhases is
necessary.
1 Politics was factor in the charges.
and it is popular belief that politics
was a factor in the verdict.
The fact that political recalcjtra
tion rather than a desire to purify the
I morals Of the institution was a mo-
tive Ia the prosecution has been so
thinly yelled as to be apparent even
under superficial observation. Mr..
r. AID. Hall is postmaster of Weston:
and aspires to the leadership of his
party in Lewis county. II is gener-
ally understood that he promised
places at the HOSPITAL to "A dozen of
his political friends. and it is not dis
puted that be was unable to deliver
the goods. This affected his prestige
as leader, and the retention of eff
cient 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 DIR.
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 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 marty. which
embraces several elements. Mr. Eos
ter, who was the PRINCIPAL attorney
for the prosecution. is understood to
be a prospectiye. candidate for nrose-
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. a nice plum with several hmm
dred a 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 uwhitewashn
the Superintendent. is matter for
conjecture. The insinuation is indip-
nantly resented by the Board. Presi-
dent Meighen SAYS letter from the
Governor TO him. intimates that a
prompt trial and fair verdict upon the
evidence presented. would he most
satisfactory to Atkinson. In this
connection. it is understood that r.
ID. Gibson. Democratic member from
Charles Town. wrote very drastic
letter to Dave Snyder. who has been a
prominent figure in the prosecutjon.
because of Snyder's failure to retract
the statement that Gibson received a
letter from Atkinson. asking him 10
'swhitewash" Stathers. How much
the feeling AGAINST Hall. SNYDER eft
al. influenced the BOARD If at an in
reaching its verdict the public must
Judge.
Throughout the Investigation. IL
was evident that the Board was very
friendly to DIR. Stathers. with but
one possible execution. Alex. Me-
Weigh Miller. of Greenbrier. was usu-
ally on the minority side He had
several sstiffsn with Meiohen over the
admissibility of evidence. and the
relevancy of matters. which the nros-
ecution endeavored to show by its
witnesses. Most of these disagree-
ments were due to the absense of anv
clearly defined rule of procedure,
President Meiphen anneared IN he
governed by the practice of Circuit
Courts. while Mr.. Miller commanded
consistently for n wider scone of in.
ouiry. ignoring legal technicalities in
order to admit ali Testimony which
might enable the Roard to form a cor-
rect opinion as to the guilt or limo.
cence of the SUPERINTENDENT. Mr.
Miller was the only member of tho
Board who refused to concur in the
verdict of .snot puiltv.
Friends of DR. Stathers CHARGE that
Mr.. Miller was actnated in his course
during the Investigation Inv a desire
for the removal of Dr Statbors .nd
the nromotion of his (MiIler,sl rela-
tive. Or. Perry. who is one Of fine
corps of physicians AT the Hosnital
The division of sentiment in Yves
ton appears to he. based. not 50 much
upon the evidence adduced in the in
yestioation. as unon the respective
degrees of friendship for r Ad Han
and his associates or Dr Statbers
The pentlemeo who have heen active
public mass meeting for the purpose
OF expressing dlsapproval OF the action
OF the Board, Or. Statners' friends say