Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-08-10

1
EN- - THE PERSONS MAKING
THE CHARGES WILL SATISFY
THE BOARD ON THAT POINT
TO-DAY.
Staff Special
WESTON, w, Va, August 9.-The
| directors of the hospital for the in
! sane met this afternoon for the purpose
of investigating the charges against
Dr. W. E. Stathers, superintendent Of
| the institution.
| They quibbled for two hours over
technical point and adjourned until to-
morrow morning.
The written charges presented at
| the last meeting Of the Board and sup
| ported by four affidavits, were signed
| by three citizens as a committee and
| recited that they were the outgrowth
of a meeting Of sixteen Republicans,
all of whom were named in the paper.
| The Board asked that the charges be
signed by citizens as individuals, in
stead of committee, In order to fix
the responsibility upon some reputable
person or persons. Attorneys for the
prosecution contended that the charges
| were sufficient and refused to comply
| with the request The Board declined
to consider the charges in the form in
| 1r-hi oh nd a H.
journed.
R. Ad. Hail. postmaster and recog-
| nized Republican leader in Lewis
county, who is most prominent in the
| fight against Stathers, said tonight
that specific charges will be offered
and signed.
He and his associates profess to see
in the action of the Board the first in
dication of determination to white
| wash the management.
Members of the Board say they re-
gard the matter as too grave to enter
into without affording Stathers some
recourse in the event that the charges
are not sustained.
When the Board meets in the morn
ing one objection will have been re-
moved but further
TECHNICAL SQUABBLES
are anticipated. The question of COM
polling the attendance of important
witnesses will certainly arise and its
solution will involve more contention.
zone side is expected to advocate
such course as the only fair and
ion The other side will probably take
the position that the burden of proof
rests upon the prosecution and that the
board has no right to expend the State
funds for such a purpose. In support
of the latter view the action of the
Spencer board in an exactly similar
case will be cited as precedent.
There are so many possibilities and
probabilities of conflicting views as to
the proper course of procedure that
it is impossible to forecast the taking
of evidence with any degree of certain
ty Meanwhile the fight is confined to
the Republican ranks and Democrats
are viewing it with complacent indif-
ference. There are no visible evidences
of the local interest which might be ex-
pected, but half dozen prominent
newspapers are represented by staff
writers.
1t is agreed upon all sides that Mrs.
Mary l.. Somerville is the star witness
Tor the prosecution. Her affidavit, al
leging improper conduct toward her by
DR.. Stathers, is in the hands OF the
Board, but she has subsequently signed
statement retracting the charges
which she made.
To the Register representative who
asked her to explain her conflicting
statements, Mrs. Sommerville said the
written retraction was presented to her
with
PEREMPTORY DISCHARGE
as the penalty for her refusal to sign.
She added that her statement on oath
upon the witness stand will support
her affidavit.
1t is a peculiar fact that the counsel
for the prosecution, Senator Cole, w. J.
Smith and j. NJ. Porter, are all Republi-
cans, while DR.. Stathers's attorneys,
Will Brannon and W. B. McGary, are
both Democrats.
There is scarcely any question that
the charges are the outgrowth' OF
Republican factional fight in this coun-
ty. Postmaster Hall justifies his activ-
ity and prominence in the matter, how
ever, by the claim that he is actuated
by desire to preserve the moral purity
OF the State institutions. 1t is conceded
that the party interests In Lewis coun-
ty will suffer and this in a measure ex-
plains the indifference of the Demo-
Gratis.
DR.. Stathers still protests his limo
eence and declares his Willingness to