, 1875-02-11

At Steilaeoom asked the COMMITTEES
to examine into the government Of the
Asylum and the contracts. This I con-
ceived to be the prime object for which
they were appointed--to examine care
fully into the government of the insti
tuition. and if there was any flaw in il
by which these alleged abuses were Iia-
bic to occur. that they would suggest
such changes rs would be likely to pre-
vent the occurrence of similar abuses in
the futuse. @s
] told them that had no charges "a
make against the contractor. Mr.. Har-
mon. for the personal abuse Of patients;
but that it was the lack of discipline and
the want Of systematic government
which in an institution like this. must
and ever will be followed by more OF
less abuse and neglect of The helpless
victims entrusted to its care, just as sure
as night follows day. This was
what I complained of, and this, the
committee informed me, they hkd moth,
ing to do with at all. I then saw it
wouldrb worse than folly to testify OF
attempt to offer further evidence to this
committee, to prove that these alleged
abuses had occurred in the past, where
the evidence already given was amply
sufficient to convince any reasonable
unbiased mind. that such management,
as indicated by Mr.. Harmon's own wit
nessee. must be followed by evil results
and abuse of authority.
For instance: Miller, one of the at
tendants, testified before the Committee,
that I had given orders. during the ex-
treme hot weather last summer, for the
male patients not to he taken out To
work in the woods. in the afternoon.
But that Mr.. Harmon told these atten-
dants to use their ovn judgement in
preference to that of the doctor. and
that the patients were still taken out to
work in the afternoon. Also that they
were told to use their own Judgement in
regard to locking up patients. and when
the doctor had ordered the patients out
to walk, that they, the attendants, did
exercise their authority and kept the
patients locked up.
The following is an exact copy Of a
portion of q written statement by the
present Matron, which was placed with
other papers in the hands OF the Cover
nor and Auditor.
She says: I have seen the doctor 60
to the building where the male patients
are kept. and 60 away again without be-
ing able to get in, and l know that Mr..
Houston, the first warden. saw and knew
that he (the doctor) was at the door and
could not get in. I have heard Mr..
Houston boast that he would not let the
doctor into the ward only when he
(H1uston) chose. (Signed.)
MApTHA E. ENSIGN, Matron.
Although I have frequently asked
that key be furnished me. Mr.. Har.
mon failed to supply me with one.
thereby leaving my visits to the patients
subject to the .whims of the attendants.
l ask in the name of common sense,
what would be the use of Offering fur
ther proof that gross and fragrant abuse
bad occurred under such state OF mis-
management as indicated by the above.
when there is no relief promised for the
future?
All history from the time the children
Of Isarel were held in bondage by the
Egyptians up to the present time, goes
to prove that where such unlimited au-
thortiy over helpless people is placed in
the hands of inexperienced. uneducated
and irresponsible men, that abuse will
follow as . rule, rather than the excep-
ton.
As the Committee say in their report,
we would avoid all personalities, u
"but feel constrained to say" that the
conduct of some of the members of this
Committee, prior to their meeting and
also before their appointment, was to
say the least peculiar and such as would
lead most any disinterested observer to
look upon their subsequent proceedings
with suspicion.
Shortly after the trouble in the Asy-
lum was made public. Mr.. Harmon
paid hurried visit to Portland and il
was rumored that he went in search o1
a doctor recommended by the notorious
HoIston--or perhaps to have one made
to order. A few days after his return
following in his wake, came DR.. Ballard
of East Portlrnd, Under the espionage
the OF contractor he visited the wards Of
the Asylum and failed to see any of the
alleged abuses, and under the guidance Of
ME-. Harmon, he rushed frantically to
Olympia and there interviewed the Of
ficials. From the informrtion have Of
this young man. he is very forward and
assured in the display Of his acquires
ments in his profession before people
who knew but little about its mysteries;
but in the presence Of his brethren OF
the profession. he Is quite contrary; in
deed might say like certain class OF
patients in the Asylum, who shnn the
society Of their fellows, 80 does this
young doctor avoid the society and
evade contact with medical men.
Although he was several days on the
Sound, he never called on, visited nor
sought the acquaintance Of = singls
member of his own profession. This
visit was quite unknown TO his employ
3 u a