The New York herald., 1878-09-16
WARDS ISLANDS MYSTERY.


AN EFyoRr TO EArHoM THE CHAPMAN CASE
THE AssIsTANcE WHICH COMMISSIONER
BAILEY GAVE.
On the 10th OF August last an account appeared In
the HERALD setting forth charges alleging 'nhuman
treatment Robert w. Chapman. one OF the in
mates OF City Asylum for the Insane. on Wards
Island. ana who has since died. These charges we're
made by his two sons-in-Iaw. During the past woek,
the charge having been revived that the death
Of the patient was mainly caused by severe
beating, . HERALD representative yesterday
afternoon called at that institution and saw
Or. Washburn, assistant supsrintsndents in charge
during the absence Of Or. Mcdonnell The writer
having stated the object OF mis- visit, Dr. Washburn
expressed regret that he could not furnish the de
sired sntsllissnce adding that all Information could
DO obtained from through the Commissioners only.
Said the Doctor:-"rhere Is standing order direct
ting us, whenever applied TO by members OF the press
for information like this, TO rsier them TO
tho Commissioner" Dr. Washburn concluded by
saying tha. II the writer would obtain tho written
consent of any OF the Commissioners he would
chseriully furnish all the Information his power.
The HERALD reporter then called on commissoner or
Bailey, at his residence East Twentysghth street,
whom that gentleman promptly pennsd note au-
thor,zing DR.. Washburn to impsrt the ntcllige ence
sought. The reporter asked the Commissioner he
remem bered the Chapman case. He replied, ~ do
recollsct tho particulars IN regard 10 IL. KNOW
charge of the asylum during the temporary
absence OF DR.. Mcdonnell, was submitted
TO the Board at me time. a1e u boaru ,"sv
aaopted and looked upon this as dnal and concia-
sve. There was nothing in the case, remember
that could imply censure OF the officials Vi course,
who're there are go many relatives and friends or
pauents we expect occasionally W hear complaints
oi harsh or unkad treatment when no such thing has
accordingly make ALLOWANCES on
that account there incorrect reports printed
or exaggerated rumors set afost The commissioners
have Inc fullest confidence IN tho superintendent aud
Assistant Superintendent OF the City Asylum"
Comm:ssousr Barley then handed the reporter
note 10 Warden U'ROurke, OF Bellevue Hospital, re-
auesting that official 10 communicate by telegraph
wth the asylum on Wards Island. He sud- 81 am
hero asking DR.. Mcdonnell, the superintendcnt,
through Mr. ORsnrke, to furnish You over The wires
with ali tue inior NATION you may require" Hearing
hastcned 10 inform Commissioner Baiiey that me
Medical Superintendent WINS absent fron the
asylum. his assistant Dr. Washeurn, oeing 10
charge, ana that anaer those circumstances the
desired intelligence might not be Obtained. To this
the Commissioner replied, saying tnat when writing
the note not aware tnat DR.. McDonneli was
absent from the institution alluded to- but adaed, sit
will not make the slightest difference; tell Mr.
Inc lmpression that DR.. Mcdonnell was in
charge or. the asylum, and that l wish
DR.. Wasbburn 10 furnish you ali the information IN
his power' The reporter proceeded without delay
10 Bellevue hospital delivered the note OF The CON-
missioner and aiso his verbal message TO Warden
O'Rourkc, who at once communicated by telegraph
with Or Washburn. The latter gentleman, how.
eycr IN order to himself that no had the au-
thority OF the issioncr before furnishing the
desired Information. asked Warden O'ROurke to teie
graph him n copy OF Commissoner Bsiisy's instruc-
tions set iorth In The note TINS was forwarded,
ana after ttmo DR.. Washburn telegrsphsd back that
iuuemuch US the Commissioners hai mentioned DR..
McDonneil's name IN the note he (Dr wsshburn)
cvuld not take the responsibility upon himself Of viJ
Iating slnndiug order oil the Comm ss0ncrs, addiEg
that wheu Commissioner Bailey wrote the note
must have Known that Dr. McDonneil was absent
from the asy lum.