The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-08-17

precedent, for one whose official po-
sition might call upon him to deal
with conclusions in codified form.
Gov. Butler denies that he was an
uninvited person, while the majority
of the committee who conferred with
him and Lieut.. Gov. Ames affirm
that he was, and Gov. Buffers de-
voutest followers say an invitation
was implied. But that the commit
tee were such shortsighted body
as to invite him, let those believe
who can. The charges OF Gov. But
Ter were that there have been public
and well known scandals in the insti-
tuition for years. 1t was charged that
of the infants born in or sent to the
institution, more than 90 per cent.
died as such that large, very large
mortality among infants at that insti-
has taken place, was clearly shown,
but it was as clearly shown that those
infants sent there were such as were
too hopelessly infrm to recommend
for adoption, or to expect to survive
in the contest for life. They were
such as other institutions were not
willing to take. 1t was also clearly
shown that for five years the infant
wards of the state have been cared
for elsewhere SO that if the large
mortality yas due to neglect it had
been righted long ago so far as Tewks.
bury was concerned. 1t was claimed
by the Gov. that the sale ofs human
bodies had been in discord with law,
and dencency. To show such was
not the fact would only involve quot
ing the law relative to the disposition
of bodies for medical purposes. That
the utmost secrecy has been main
tanned by Mr.. Marsh, who had charge
of the work, is so true that Gov.
Butler has constantly found fault
with it. To the proper and consti-
tuted authorities Mr.. Marsh made his
report of the number of bodies dis
posed of and the particulars connect
ed Herewith. There was an attempt
made to have Mr.. Marsh give to the
public the names of diseased paupers
disposed of for medical purposes.
That he refused to do and in that re-
fusal was upheld by the legislature.
Unquestionably we think the law of
personal self-defense would make
such refusal imperative. He felt,
and justly, that list of the names
thus furnished to the public, when
all legal particulars had been lodged
with the proper authorities, would be
used against him.
1t was attempted to show that GER
tain human skins that were tanned
Ca desperate and diabolical act no
doubt) were done in a manner to
connect the fact with the manage
ment of the state aims house. On a
careful reading of so much of the
evidence and summary of it on the
part of counsel and committee, we
have failed utterly to discover any
evidence that connects the tanning of
human skin with the Tewksbury man
agement. We think it was shown
that the force of attendants, nurses,
etc., was not adequate to the demands
of the institution, though about ~
per cent of the appropriations were
used for salaries. Gov. Butler implies
though he does not declare-that
90 per cent of the appropriations
were thus used.
When the committee reported,
there was majority and minority
report, the division being purely par
tisan as touching numbers. Such a
report looks very suspicious. 1t is
apt to make one think that party feel
ing was stronger than personal interest
in the welfare of the state. But that
Gov. Butler bent the whole matter so
as to make it purely partisan his most
| devout admirers can hardly deny.
He looks for "the applause four
months hence" as he told the crowd
when he summed up the case before
tha cOy,, p,;ftaa INa cbou1J 1iLa 10