National Republican., 1883-04-19
MARY BowEN,s TESTIMONY.

Bad Treatment OF the Patients mt the
Tewkesbury AImshouse-A Lively TIT
Between Gov. Butler and tho Com-
mittec.
BosToN, April 1s.--At the Tewkesbury ex-
animation to-day Mary Z. Bowen, formerly
an inmate and the mother Of a child born out
Of wedlock, said she could not eat the food
furnished but lived upon that bought with
money supplied to her. She never saw any
of the Marsh family while there. Thirty or
more women were bathed in the same water.
Many of the patients had bad skin diseases
and many were infested with vermin. When
there was time carbolic acid was poured on
the heads of such patients. Vermin were all
over the place, rats being so abundant that
the patients would call the nurses TO drive
them away. One consumptive woman was
unable to call for help, and her feet were
badly bitten. This happened every night
until she died. The closets and everything
were filthy but when visitors were expected
things were cleaned. Ono woman who died
was large, and her body was crowded
into box by men stan ding on
it. Even then she had on her
head the same. bonnet she wore when alive.
Another woman occupied the bed on which
clothing being made. An old insane woman
was beaten with sticks and tied with ropes
Witness had come on from New York to give
her testimony Mr.. Brown asked her several
questions, which Gov. Butler said were not
pertinent, Mr. Brown retorted that the
character of the witnesses so far were fit sub
jects for criticism and he proposed In this case
to know this witness's entire story. Gov.
Butler said he did not propose to sit still and
allow his witnesses to be maligned. He
asked the committee not to allow il. Some of
their daughters, he said, might by chance
come to this hell upon earth. Loud applause
from the spectators followod.1
The governor said that because the witness
was a fallen woman her character should
not be an issue in this case. She should an
swer all pertinent questions, but not those
which sought to drag her down.
Mr.. Brown said his excellency WINGED as he
never had before. He called the governors
attention to a case where he (the governor)
questioned witnesses in regard to character,
&c, in the most unheard of way.
The question as to proceeding with the
cross-examination was decided by the COM
mittee by vote OF 5 to in the affirmative.
Miss Bowen, in answer to questions, gave
details of her misfortunes and the methods
adopted by her father to put her in the aims
house. She would not give the name by
which she was known in New York, and out
Of this arose long and irate discussion.
Mr.. Brown said he could not look up the
witness's character for veracity unless he
knew her New York name. The governor
had promised to give him letter from Mr.
King, of New York, who had employed the
witness but the governor said he would not
do SO until he was ready. Mr. Brown said if
this examination was to be anything but n
farce for political purpose for this year and
the next, the committee would not sustain
the governor in the position he had taken.
The governor said he had sent for the wit
nna nd 10 har from fn-
fanny. He would turn over Mr.. Kings letter
TO the committee when ready, and the oppos-
ing counsels should see it. He had never
used the words political prejudice" before
in this investigation and not until the charge
was made that it was for political purpose.
This slang of the newspapers was repeated
hero when he was performing one of the most
painful duties ever imposed upon him, and of
which he had avoided making "a farce. He
suggested that the commission take Il vote on
this and kindred questions to determine if
they are political ones
Mr. Brown said the governor had declared
on four occasions during the examination
that the testimony should go before the coun-
try and he (Brown) could See no reason why
the investigation Should not be held with
closed doors.
For what purpose could the country listen
to the testimony except for political pur-
pose?
The governor said this investigation would
interest the entire country where there were
institutions like Tewksbury and it ought to
go before it. Already it had aroused inves-
legations in other states. He never had a
political thought in connection with it. The
only questions to be decided were the laws of
property and of humanity, but the opposing
counsel took the narrow view Of il of which
he was capable.
The chairman said that the governors re-
mark that another vote would hand this COM
mittee down five to four as another committee
was handed down to the country by its eight to
seven vote was highly improper, and he hoped
no more political illusions would be made by
any of the'counsel.
The governor said he had as little respect
for the chairman's opinion as the latter had
for his, and he had no respect for the chair,
mans decisions.
On being asked if Miss Bowen would be
present tomorrow, Gov. Butler said If she
were not her testimony could be stricken
from the record. Adjourned,