The news & observer., 1905-10-01
No WHITENASHING. NO INJUS.
TICE, NO CRUELTY WOULD
BE TOLERATED..

Governor Glenn feels that is is his
duty to await the trial of the men
charged with tho murder of Nail be-
fore taking any action, with refer
encc to the State Hospital matters
He has before him two reports s-one
of the testimony taken by the coroner's
jury. upon which the four men have
been indicted for causing Nails death;
and the other the testimony taken by
the Board of Directors of the State
Hospital. Both are ex-partc. There
was no cross examination of witnesses
i'm either investigation. 1t was ex-
pected that in the trial of the men
charged with killing Nall the cross ex-
animation would bring out all the facts
and throw light upon every phase of
the unfortunate affair. The post
ponement os the trial defers securing
this light by cross-examination, and
Governor Glenn yesterday said:
Il trust the general public will
withhold its opinion until all the facts
are brought to light. in order that no
injustice may be done anyone Every
thing will be done to probe this mat
the rights of parties accused as we'll
as giving ample attention to the un-
fortunate inmates in our State inStltu-
tons"
When the evidence before the
Coroner's jury was printed, the public
was convinced that Nall had died be-
cause of the treatment received. Later
when some OF the first doctors in the
State testified that from the symptoms
he could not have died from blow
on the head, there was some division
of sentiment. AS to the guilt or in
nocence of the men charged with the
death of Nall, that is a matter that
may be safely left to the courts.
The great question with the people
is: Are the insane confined in the
Hospital treated well? Is there cruel
ty or unnecessary restraint? The
Board of Directors examined every
attendant and officer of the institu-
ton upon that point. Every one de-
MED under oath that the rules re-
quiring kind treatment had been vio-
lated. 1t is to be regretted that the..
were not cross-examined by counsel.
The only evidence of harsh treatment
was by Mr.. Lindsay, who testified that
he was tied. put in d bath, almost
drowned. and has marks upon his
person because of harsh treatment.
lie also testified that this treatment
was given to him as punishment. and
that there were other instances of
cruelty and swearing by attendants.
adding that he was tied by order of
DR.. Ferebee. Both Dr. Ferebee and
Mr.. Brown, head nurse, contradict the
testimony of Mr. Lindsay, but Mr..
Brown admits that he tied Mr.. Lind
say about the hands, but DR.. Ferebee
says he gave no order for it. Outside
the rough treatment of Nall and the
testimony of Mr.. Lindsay there is no
evidence of harsh treatment of any
patients and the Board of Directors
reach this conclusion:
I'VE examined, upon oath. separate
ly. every officer and employee of the
hospital who came in contact with
any of the patients, and we found
nothing with the exception of the
Nall case that indicated that the en-
ployes and officers we>~ not obedient
to the bylaws, rules and regulations
of the hospital, which require not only
skillful and humane treatment. but
most kind consideration of the pa
tents feelings. That during the sew
eral years of the present administra- :
tion of the affairs of the hospital, we
find evidence of but very few infrac-
tions of the rules, regulations and by
laws governing the conduct of en-
ployes towards patients, and these
have invariably been followed by
prompt dismissal from the service of
the institution, of the transgressors.
1t is the duty of all employees to re-
port TO the superintendent any un-
usual, harsh, or cruel treatment of pa
tients by any one. and any employe
falling TO report such infractions of
tho rules as come to %is or her
knowledge, is summarily dismissed
from service. though he or she may
not have been guilty of any other
breach of said rules.
Concluding the report, the director.
make this statement:
This board would not for one mo