The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-14

cApiode on TUESDAY and did not know
on what basis the investigation would
be resumetl--whether to continue or sim
ply end the inquiry and formulate a re-
port
That Sudden Adjournment.
Speculation on the outside upon this
point hinges entirely on the supposed oc-
currences before the committee Monday
night, and the Importance OF these mys-
ferrous events In shaping results. On
the one side II was declared Yesterday
that these happenings were of such mo-
ihent that the fate OF Mr.. Cloves was
sealed beyond any question, but from this
quarter no detailed information was OBJ
tainable. The story came out In full
from synpathizers with the other side,
and is used by them as an Illustration
OF what they declare to be most re-
markable and high handed proceeding.
1t must be understood that these are
the very terms used. along with some
others even stronger In describing the
action of the committed.
According to this story, which Is pre-
faced with remark upon the fact that
DIR. Foster was on the stand four days,
Mr. Cloves had consumed but few
hours when. slthe result OF an apparent
contradiction of himself under cross
examination. the committee suddenly cut
him Off allowed him no opportunity for
explanation, Indicated that so far as
he was concerned 1t had heard enough.
and thereupon adjourned sine die The
matter under discussion at this time IL
is said, was the case OF a man. an inmate
OF the Eastern State Hospital, VINO.
through lack of close Watching. was en-
abled to find means OF taking his own
lfe
The incident occurred about year ago,
so far as can be learned The regu atoms
recurring special care for inmates pun
sued with a suicidal mania were not
then it is said, enforced as risidly as
now The man in question was sent to
the williamsburg Asylum, the commit
ment papers being received by DIR. Foster.
who shortly thereafter went off on n fur
lough Not having been informed by DR..
Foster of the mental condition of the
new inmate the assistants and other en-
ployes permitted the man to enjoy GER
tain liberties which. had his real state
been appreciated. would not have oeen
allowed. The end came quickly. The
unfortunate man visited the dining-ro nj
one day, secured knife. and cut his
own throat. death resulting. coroner's
jury declared the death to have been tdue
to negligence on the part of the hos
pltal management. The hospital board
met. investigated the matter, realized
that 1t was itself at fault in not pre-
scribing more stringent rules adopted
resolution, for which Mr.. Gloves voted.
generating the, management. including
the superintendent, and proceeded to take
/ steps to prevent for all time n possible
recurrence of the accident.
The Richmond member, himself intro
duccd n resolution. now known in the
State as the Cloves resolution and, 1t is
said. since adopted by all the hospital
boards. laying down certain rules that
make 1t absolutely impossible for The
hospital managers-superintend as
sistants, supervisors or ward attendants
to fbe under any circumstances unaware
of the precise mental condition of pa
tents and at the same time calling for
strict and careful watch over those
afflicted with suicidal mania. This new
Cloves system required that a card de-
scribing the peculiar malady of the pa
tent should be signed not only by the
superintendent, but by all the other hos
pltal officials named above. and since
they had to read the card they like
! wise had to know. all of them. what
they had to particularly guard against
Agreed With Coroner's Jury.
On Monday night, 1t Is reported, the
incident of the man who killed himself
at the hospital was being reviewed by the
committee. Mr.. Cloves stated that he
agreed with the coroner's jury in hold
ing the death due to the negligence of the
management
Under cross-examination he admitted
that he had voted for resolution in the
board meeting, eXonerating the manage
ment. The apparent contradiction was
the cause for the sudden stampede and
this, it is seriously declared was the
sum and substance OF the sensation"
that meant the official decapitatlon of