The New York herald., 1875-11-18
THE MADHoUsE INVESTIGATION.

TESTIMONY OF COMMISSIONER CUNNINGHAM OF
THE BOARD or CHARIrIEs-DE. oRDRoNAUx
CONCLUDES HIS LABoRs.
The State Commissioner in Lunacy, Dr. John ord
ronaux, and the Citizens Committee resumed the in.
vestigaton OF the abuses in the present management
of the Kings County Lunatic Asylum, at Flatbush.
The first witness called Commissioner John Gun
ningham Of the Board OF Charities He said he took
his seat January l, 1873; Mr.. Furgusson was then
President OF the Board; Mr.. Wheeler succeeded Mr..
Furgusson President witness had never sought to
be President; he presumed the Board had endeavored
the best talent from among their number in
the selection OF the President; there had been
casIonal deviations from the bylaws Of the
Board in 1874 the Supervisors had concluded to have
the law changed governing the Board OF Charities
which at that time was under indictments the Super
responsible for the issuing OF supplies at
that time; communication in regard TO the short
Of supplies at the asylum sent to the Board
OF Charities that time by Dr. Macdonald; witness
did not know OF any advantages accrung from pur-
chasing open market; the saving OF over ST. 900 in
the hospital during the past year due the
purchasing Of the articles by the Supervisors II bill
IN for supplies not ordered by the Board he would
vote against IL; witness had voted against the accept
ance Of DR., Macdonad's resignation, and had
voted against the appointment o! Superintendent
blanchard; had favored the appointment Of DR..
because OF his experience in the treatment OF insane
patients; the board has not always been harmonious
IN us action witness was present at the hcGee inves
tigatton and remembered that Commissioner Midas
objected - McGee giving testimony, he luna
TIC; the objection Of Mr. Midas was overruled, and
Mr. Midas was criticised by the other members OF the
Board the result Of the examination was the
CONVICTION or THE THREE ATTENDANTS;
the committee admitted the charges in the main ;
Losee the least guilty Of the three attendants dis
charged; the reappontment OF Losclle did not come
up before the Board he was reinsated by the Commit
tee on the Asylum, Messrs. Ruber and Midas
Witness could not account for the general and ire
quent complaints against the asylum; no thought
executive ability is essential in the management
Of the asylum DR.. Chaplin who was IN the institution
as Superintendent, decidedly the ablest executive
they had frequent changes in employees are detri-
mental 70 discipline in the asylum ana ~ every busi
ness IN life; witness regarded the responsibility of
public Official greater than that Of individuals in
civil life; he did not know whether the same views
we're entertained by bis associates.
Dr. Ordronalx asked Mr. Cunningham # he
OF "the local asprants for oiice" against whom
warned him by writing. Tho letter was shown
10 the Witness who said he had never II boforo
and he would not have voted for Il had It been laid be-
fore the Board OF Charities; witness believed il hs
duty TO invite Investigation as public official AZ all
times; knew Of man named Patrick Corr, assistant
engineer in the asylum, who had been discharged and
Te.employed; the name would be on the engineers
PAYROLL witness could not say whether DR.. Blanchard
had any knowledge Of the presence or Corr the stew.
ard he believed, ought to know whether he there
not; witness thought the charges Of Improperly pre-
ferred against tho man by the female attendants
sustained, and he voted FOR his dismissal; Corr
discharged In July or August, 1874; witness
did not learn Of bis reappointmcnt unt within the
past month; he did not know who reappointod Corr ;
there were seven attendants ordered from the asylum
TO the nursery and they took their discharge IN prefer
ence 70 going there; there are sixty seventy pay
patients IN the asylum at present. they pay about So
per week. the strong box at the asylum is under the
charge Of the Supernendent II contains the effects or
yaluabcs Of deceased patients; the Board had never
had report OF its contents made TO them knew OF no
persons employed in tho asylum at present whose
moral character lack Of sobrety should dsquaiiy
them from holding positions there does not know
the cx. patient Killing: remememhered the insane