Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-07-01
WEDNESDAY EVENING. JULY
CONTEMPORARY OPINION.


As far as The Optic Ii concerned.
the asylum incident Ia a thing OF the
past. We do not wish 10 give further
publicity OF the doings Of a Few per
sons, entirely without interest In the
city or the asylum, who have had the
indeceny TO resort to the lowest Of
methods In the hope Of winning pre-
ferment 10 which their Lilaputian
mental calibre and INSCRIPTIONS ac-
lions would effectually bar the way.
Citizens Of all races and all beliefs
have united In c~ondemning the course
pursued by the few detractors and
character assassins with whom Las
Vegas has had the bad luck to be If
fiicted. This pestiferous variety al,
ways takes too much rope and hangs
However, as the maserlble ISLANDERS
against the asylum management and
tl1 ubHf W "a b'N&i itAlit
toned by all the papers Of the terri
tory and by the outside press as well,
The optic will reproduce for the
benefit of its readers, the comment,
good and bad on the findings Of the
committee. The following sensible
and ably written resume Of the whole
situation Is from the New Mexican
The majority and minority reports
of the committee TO investigate the
charges Of harsh, cruel ami inhuman
treatment OF the Territorial Insane
asylum at Las Vegas were published
In yesterdays issue Of this paper, The
majority report was signed by Major
II. J. Palen. II. NJ. Dougherty. Or
George G. Bryan. DIR. Luis Hernandez
DIR. J. Frank Mcconnell and w. G
Porterheld. The minority report was
querque. In a great measure both re
ports agree, Mr. Chavez dissenting
from the majority report chiefly In
two items. He differs with the ma
jorify In its views regarding the OF
fetal conduct OF the matron and far
ther he believes that the medical su
p~erintendent should reside at the asy
llm and be In constant attendance In
stead Of an assistant superintendent
as recommended by the majority.
= After reading both reports careful
~. taking into consideration he emin
ent character and peculiar fitness o.
the members Of the committee FOL
this investigation. and loking the SIT
uation squarely In the face. fair mind
Ell and intelligent citizens are bouns
to conclude that the charges made
against the administration Of the asy
lum as TO cruel. harsh, inhuman an
unusual treatment OF patients hav'
no foundation In fact and are not has
cd upon truth of actual occurrences
II would be simply astounding were ]
possible In any institution OF this kim
within a space Of several years, dur
ing which hundreds OF patients hav'
been confined and many dineren
attendants ETC. employed no
TO fnd isolated instances O
what might be called II
human, harsh and cruel treatment az
parently. Considering the length 0
time and the number Of patients a
represented BY the report. It Is yer
gratifying TO know that so little Of III
kind has occurred In these long year
and with such great numbers Of "a
fients and different employees al th
institution. There were three phys
clans on the committee and the
would have promptly go reported ha
they found anything cruel. inhumal
unduly harsh or Indicating imprope
medical treatment on the part Of III
medical superintendent. The two a
torneys on the committee. II. \
Dougherty and Il. v. Chavez. the form
or especially. did much cross exam
lining; the president of the commi
sion. Major r. j. Palen. is n Of II
clearest headed and most indcpcn'
ent men in the territory; and W.
Porterneld. the remaining member
a successful business man. fully kno'
ing what he is about. The conclu
ions Of these seven men q be full
relied upon and will be SO relied upc