Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-05-26
TUESDAY EVENING. MAY &c. 1903.
THE ASYLUM INVESTIGATION.

THE ASYLUM INVESTIGATION.
Owing to the press OF a number Of
cases before the territorial grand jury
In which witnesses from outside towns
had been summoned, no further steps
were taken In the insane asylum inves.
tigation today. Yesterday the chief
justice summoned the grand jury be-
fore him and in q sensible and well
considered address called attention to
the Importance Of the interests in
yolved. He said 1t was due 10 the
management OF the institution that II
the scandalons statements regarding
them were untrue, they should receive
complete vindication. On the other
hand. II there was any truth in the
charges II was due to the public o
know IT. In any ordinary case before
a grand jury 1t Is customary merely
to call witnesses TO show whether or
not there is sufficient evidence to
justify indictment. II should be under
stood that such Is o the Intention in
the present instance. The court wish
es the grand Jury 10 20 into the mat
ter fully, TO give both sides OF the case,
II indeed there are two sides, to list.
en To evidence favorable and %unfayor
utia "a. utff t.sttnt .aa 4. ~ $500. ...4N
Of opinion. and what may be colored
by malicious personal spite and after
hearing everyone VINO can possibly
throw any light upon the matter, give
a verdict based upon d comprehensive
View Of the whole situation.
A verdict founded upon n complete re.
view of the whole matter will 10 far
towards satisfying tho people and reno
ering unnecessary an official inveati
CATION instituted BY the governor The.
board Of directors and the manage.
ment, however, express the hope that
the matter may not be allowed 70 drop
even with an investigation by a grand
jury OF This district. Now that the
matter has been made public, and bids
fair 10 do serious injury TO the city
and territory. they ask that The very
fullest publicity be given, and that no
pains be spared 10 place the true con
ditions before the people.
The Optic believes that the matter
Is d wider one lhan can be settled
yen By u grand Jury. Full investiga
ton BY that body Is ia the highest de.
gree important. hut the question ef.
fects the whole territory. The govern.
Or Is the official head Of the territory
and the official head also of the in.
sane asylum, The good name Of that
institution Is at stake.
The reputation OF the management
is involved. The members of the
board Of directors and the governor
himself are involved. We believe the
governor should come 10 Las Vegas
al once and take the most vigorous
and certain steps In personally con.
Quoting an investigation that shall be
thorough. impartial and strictly Off
ciai. Il the governor is able. as Il re.
suit. to announce 70 the people OF the
territory and to send 10 the Associ-
ated Press u statement to the effect
that The sensational charges made |
against the institution are wholly
unfonnded, then the citizens OF New
Mexico will be satisfied. and not till
then. II the result 81 the official in.
yestigati on be 10 fix blame in any |
quarter, the pronptest and most cff-
cacions methods should be taken to
right the wrong and dispense with
tho wrongdoer.