The New York herald., 1872-11-08
THE GOVERNORS VISIT TO THE
LUNATIC ASYLUM.

AONA11V A0 xAOms
Doctor Escheverria's Story OF Governor
Honman's visit-ais Excellency Calls
at the Institution on MOnday-What
He Thinks OF Ward M-The Doctor
Says He Promised Reform-The Resi-
dent Surgeon Will 60 Before the Grand
Jury at Once and Take the Commits
sioners' Scalps-The Resignati tiOn OF the
Attendants I'm Body.
HERALD reporter learned yesterday morning
that Governor Holman, accompanied by friend,
had paid private visit to the Insane Asylum on
Wards Island on Monday afternoon, and
had expressed some very positive opinions
In regard to the management OF the insttu-
tlon Yesterday afternoon, after the COroners jury
had rendered the above verdict, the reporter
called on Doctor Escheverria the resident surgeon
OF the Asylum, who received the Governor and
showed him over the institution, to obtain the
particulars Of the informal visit and to discover, If
possible, what effect had been produced on His
Excellency's mind by
THE INSPECTION OF WARD NJ
the alleged nlthiest ward in the institution. The
reporter found Doctor Escheverria very much
gratiied at the result of the Coronors investiga-
tion The reporter asked MIN II the Governor had
not visited the institution under his charge on
Monday afternoon.
Doctor ESCHEvERRIA-"Yes, Sir, ne did, In COM
pany with Mr.. Gunther.
REpoRTER-Might ask did you show him over
the asylum
"Oh yes; took him all over"
"Did he express any opinion on the condition OF
the wards he visited
81 took him to ward M. When we entered
the ward was in most filthy condition. He had
hardly got inside the door when the stencil over
came him. The patients were at their worst. He
did not wait too long, but putting his handkerchief
to his face, he said, For goodness sake, Doctor,
TAKE NE OUT OF HERE
When we got to the dock, and he was going to go
on board his boat he said, turning to me, Doctor,
DO not envy your position here There are great
WILL SEE THAT THEY ARE REMEDIED."
said in reply Your ExGe,ilency, ,S, am t giad yoa
for my own sake or to save my reputation, but for
the sake OF the patients who are here:' This was
said in the presence of Mr.. Gunther and other wit
nesses who were on the dock"
REPoRTER-Doctor, Commissioner Bell has said
to-day at the Coroners INVESTIGATION that n ne was
missioners Of Charities and Correction had any
complaint against you or not 1t would seem, then,
that you two are under q ban at present.
DoCToR-I don't think that Commissioner Bell
treated me fairly when he made that statement
or
not. Rnt am now going to tell you matter that
the public not yet acquainted with and that ts
GO BEFORE THE GRAND JURY
Immediately. Had it not been for the election and
gone cor before the Grand Jury four days ago, and
would have laid before them all the facts that are
in my possession with regard to these abuses. Peo-
pie on the island
WANT TO FORCE NE OUT
Of my position, and do not care whether ] leave
the asylum until Clear "a myself OF the siurs which
have been thrown upon my professional reputation.
All the corTespondence which has @ passed @ between zen
Grand Jury; they must appear to answer, and the
public will then know whether my repeated re-
Board has any cause or complaint against
Here is communication which ! addressed
to the Board few months ago, which has never
been needed topening book containing copies ol
and their replies). DR.. Daley, the assistant resi-
CHARGES ME WITH DRUNKENNESS
because peremptorily ordered him to send o
maniacal negro back to his cell whom he had taken
out at ten O'Clock at night and made dance and
sing un til near morning at private party given
by the warden and the assistant resident physician
as ! stated today at the inquest, and altogether
the Board In reference to the charge.n
Here Dr.. Echeverria read his letter, which earn
estly called for an investigation and stated that
propriety forbade that he should hold any inter-
course with DR.. Daley until his character had been
cleared. The Commissioners, he said, had since
'But,n resumed the Doctor, II win not suffer in
my professional reputation for these men, and the
facts will go to the Grand Jury Immediately. II
leave the asylum will leave 1t with clear re-
cord" The Doctor then showed the reporter the
minutes OF q meeting OF the Commissioners,
at which was read the report OF an investigating
committee composed Of Professors Ogden DOremus,
]. w. Draper and DR.. G. +. Chandler, which stated
that the wards were overcrowded and filthy, that
disease was the result OF overcrowding, and en-
dorsed the remonstrances OF the resident physi-
clan. Finally. he denied distinctly that he sent the
flthest patients to Wards Island. 1t was the bad
attendance that produced the NTH.
Echeverria is Just the man to see the investigation
out to the bitter end. subsequently he learned at
Wards Island that on Monday afternoon the at
tendants OF the Asylum held meeting, at which
Il was resolved to send the following cn.umunica-
ton to The Board OF Commissioners
We the undersigned attendants OF the New York Ctv
Asylum the Insane do hereby respectfully tender our
regulations and liberty stake by remaining ON duty
here under Dr. Echeverra, the present resident phys
JOHN cLoFFEY JOHN G BARTON,
JAMES SHERLOCK, MICHAEL SULLIVAN.
MARTIN FOLEY, FRANCIS CASSIDY,
JOSEPH HAYES JOHN NORRIS,
RICHARD GRANT, PATRICK NORTON
EDWARD MCNAMARA, PATRICK FENEY,
JOHN CONARN, PATRICK MORRIS.
CHARLES o. JONES, CHARLES BRENNAN,
PATRICK FARWELL, SAMUEL, GASON,
JOHN MALOEEY, ABRAHAM QUINN,
EDWARD LYNCH, BERNARD MURPHY.
JAMES BURKE,
FORTY HORSES BURNED TO DEATH.
RuFFAIO NJ " Nov = 1870