Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-05-23
SATURDAY EVENING. MAY %. 1909.
THE s A ASYLUM.

THE INSANE ASYLUM.
In relation to the ugly charges which
have been made about affairs al The
insane asylum we give our reaners
this evening the result Of Il efforts
10 find out the truth. We have no
intention o Encouraging or tolerating
unjust accusations ON the one hand or
OF covering up Of improper practices
on the other. We do not wish to pass
judgment on the board OF directors
of the medical superintendent of this
institution. We have given them this
opportunity TO speak directly TO the
public. The public knows that they
speak the truth and will read their
mterances with most careful con
sideration, This is a matter In which
the people can we'll afford to suspend
Judgment until the fullest light has
been thrown upon IL.
The charges made relate In the
first place 10 alleged cruel and in
human treatment of patients ana In
the second place to improper treat.
ment Of the remains Of a patient who
died some two or three years ago. As
10 the charges of cruelty to the pa
tients the fullest Investigations by OPP.
tic representatives. utterly discredit
any such practices. These investi'
cations covered personal interviews
with every member Of the board Of
directors including the medical mem
Der, DIR. Hart Of Ration a visit to the
asylum; interviews with the highly
esteemed steward. George Ward, with
the mairnn, and the various attend
ants. and most especially a converse.
tion with q patient well known to one
of The Optic representatives and who
was perfectly rational at the time of
our visit. az he nnqnestionably Is at
all times except when In the throes
of occasional maniacal fits. The evil
dence of what we heard and the Inn
preston Of what we saw conclnsively
established in our minds the fact that
these charges of cruel treatment were
foolish aud malicious. II any citizen
desires further evidence we recon-
mend to him the same course we fol-
lowed, that OF a personal inspection of
the institution which is open for in
spection at all times. II the general
public desires further information and
evidence on this point We can assure
them that the board of directors, the
medical superintendent and the stew
ard will welcome any sort Of an in
vestigation either judicial. or by a
special committee appointed by tho
governor.
The charges referring to the improp.
er treatment of the body OF a patient
who died at The asylum over two years
ago the interview shows to b. .correct
IN the main
The optic understands II is admitted
ON behalf Of the officials Of the insti-
tuition. that a patient died there. who
had no known relatives or friends.
that efforts were made to ascertain
Who her friends were and that failing
so 10 do the medical superintendent
believed that he was acting within the
line Of his duty 10 have her body So
treated thai the skeleton might be
preserved in the interest Of scientific
investigation and that this purpose
was not carried ont but was forgot
ten. the body neglected and allowed
10 be subjected 70 treatment which NC
neither defend or excuse
All persons connected with the asy.
lum express themselves entirely will
ing that the mos, thorough inYestiga-
ton may be made. II IS understood
thai the grand jury. which IS now In
session. is making an Investigation in
tile interest of The public and Of all
parties concerned.
The Optic suggests that there II
no occasion for any hasty action or
judgment.
The men connected with the insti
tuition are wen hnown citizens and it
will be time enough TO pop Judgment
wnen all s>c facts are well establish
e d. That is fair to all parties con
cerned.