Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-03-19
THE HOSPITAL INVESTIGATION.
It is the Occasion for Some of the Livliest
Scenes on Record.

It is the Occasion for Some of the Livliest
Scenes on Record.
At2P. NJ. yesterday the investigation into
the management of the County Hospital, on
charges preferred by J. n. Larkin against
DR.. Lame, was resumed by the Board OF
Supervisors. The defense continued with
its case.
Maggie Stanley, a patient. testified that
Mrs. Lynch did not call for the doctor until
late in the night-the night her child was
born. She knew of no cruel treatment Of
patients.
DIR. w. A. Briggs testified that he met
Larkin shortly after the first publication, and
was solicited to patronize him. Declined,
because of an attack by the paper on the pro-
fession. Told Larkln he knew the charges
were false. Larkin replied that the article
had crept into the paper without his
knowledge, and he would have acknowledged
it in his columns, but people would say he
was a pretty editor" Witness said that
Larkin admitted that the article went in as
an editorial without his knowledge; he did
not state that he had nothing against Laine.
+. Il. Brown testified that he has been at
the hospital since October, and has been well
treated knew of no one being abused heard
of no complaint have no reason to believe
any of the statements.
Reuben Rockwell testified that he has been
in the hospital sixteen months there has
been uocruel treatment there.
The prosecution here asked for recess 90
enable it to secure counsel to aid in the in
vestigation. The Board thereupon took a
recess until P. NJ.
On reassemoling Grove L. johnson APP
peared as attorney for the prosecution. DR..
Lame appeared in his own behalf. Many
physicians and citizens were interested spec
tators. During the entire evening there was
no testimony introduced whatever concern
ing the management of the hospital. The
spirit manifest was one of bitter personality.
The proceedings defy adequate description,
and led Supervisor Bauer to express the hope
that the reporters would touch them lightly.
Very much of the testimony bristled with
anger and scintillated with the bitterness of
personal feeling. Epithets and charges were
banded about freely, and that there was
some fearful bending of the truth by some
body relative to the paper of the prosecutor
and statements alleged to have been made by
its proprietor, was undeniable. At times the
scene rose to the level of the tragic, but for
Ine MoSI pdIG was 4duSHaule III Tie
extreme, entertained the spectators
greatly, and led one Supervisor to rise and
say that if this thing was to go on that way,
and dollar admission be charged, he thought
full house could be secured nightly and the
county revenues greatly augmented. The
Board did its best to keep the investigation
within limits and the President seconded its
effort, and presided with credit, though fire.
quently beset with questions for decision that
demanded judicial training and an intimate
knowledge of the rules of evidence.
Matt Karcher was the first witness called
to testify to the reputation of the paper of
the prosecutor and its proprietor
Mr.. johnson objected, DIR. Lame insisted,
and a long argument ensued, and Mr.. John
son, by direction of his client warned wit
ness that he would be held to legal response
bility for his reply. He retorted that he was
willing to assume it. A spirited argument
followed, in which most of the Supervisors
took part, as to whether the defense should be
allowed to enter upon an effort to prove at
tempted blackmail, and to strike back at the
prosecution and the reputation of the proscu-
tor and his paper.
This debate afforded 2Ir. johnson
opportunity to express his approval OF the
system of getting even with newspaper men
adopted by County Clerk Berkey, and to adj
wise DIR. Laine to pursue that, support the
Senator's retraction bill. or pursue his remedy
under the law for criminal libel.
Witness was finally permitted to testify to
the reputation of the prosecutors paper for
truth and veracity.
Mr.. johnson again warned witness.
DR. Lane hoped Mr.. Karcher would not be
bulldozed by Mr.. johnson.
Mr. johnson warned DIR. Lame not to be-
gin abuse Of him.
Or Lame replied that he was not afraid of
that kind of a set to.
Witness testified that the reputation OF the
paper is not good, and said he was not afraid
to say it.
L. C. Chandler sworn He struggled for
long time to be relieved from testifying
DR. Laine offered to enter upon proof as to
the animus of the prosecution, and to point
suspicion as to blackmail.
Mr.. johnson objected warmly, holding
that even if the motive of an attack was bad,
it would not affect the question of misman-
agement in the hospital, the only issue being
the truth or falsity of the charges, they not
being laid the testimony OF the prose
cutor.
Witness finally testified that he had ad-
vised Dr. Lame to let the charges go, as they
did not enanate from good authority, and
that in a conversation with Lerkin about at
tacks on club-houses, in which witness OBJ
jected to the attacks as injurious to custom
ers of his, Larkin replied, Then why
don't they come to see me-" Witness testi-
fed that he did not know of his own knowl-
edge where gambling is carried on, but he had
customers interested in property where there
are club-houses.
Mr.. johnson called the attention of the
District Attorney and Deputy Sheriff to the
testimony.
DIR. G.. NJ. Dixon was called to the stand
and sworn, and DR.. Lame stated his desire to
prove that other judgments than his own had
influenced the prosecutor.
Mr.. johnson warmly charged that the real
animus of the defense had now appeared.
When DIR. Dixon had charged DIR. Lame
openly with offenses he did not dare to reply.
He objected, as a taxpayer, to county money
being used to settle wrangles between doctors.
Dr. Lame rose to reply, but the Chair held
the whole matter out of order.
Mr.. johnson admitted the ruling to be
proper.
DR.. Lame disclaimed any intention of re-
hecting on DIR. Dixon. AS to his not replying
to the card of witness, he was q new official
then, and preferred to remain silent. If any
one now presumed on that silence to make
new assaults they would wake up mistaken,
and must take the consequences.
Witness after long struggle over objec-
tons, which were generally sustained, was
asked if he was in Larkin's Office the day be-
fore the last charges were published?
Dr. Dixon No, sir"
Dr. Laiue-'' Nor last Saturday ?"
DR.. Dixon" No, sir"
Mr.. Bauer" Why not ask him if he runs
the paper?"
DR.. Lame" Does Dr. Dixon need any
protection at my hands :"
Mr. Johnson-"I object"
DR.. Dixon" No, sir; not now or here
after"
Mr. Johnson don't object for you, sir. p"
DIR. Lame" Did you not suggest to Lar
kin some of the charges against me %
DR.. Dixon Emphatically no. A wrong
impression is abroad regarding me-"
DIR. Laine-'' Did you write the abusive ar.
ticle against me three months ago."
a sharp passage at verbal arms here took
place between Dr. Lame and Mr. johnson,
that had the appearance OF thunder cloud,
and made the spectators think lightning was
about to strike, when the Chair interposed:
The Chair" You are all cut of order"
Mr.. Johnson l apologize"
Dr. Laine-'' Does it help the matter to
call man a thief, and instantly apologize !"
n. S. Bennett was next sworn, and stated,
under objection, that Larkin's paper is unre-
liable, that he has bitter relations with him,
that he formerly owned the PAPER, and that
L = l., s