New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-03
DIR. BOOTHS RESIGNATION.
ACCEPTED BY THE ASYLUM MANAGERS
rHE BOARD REPLIES TO SOME OF THE DOCTORS
sr ArrNiENrS-rEyT nE Ills LETTER

rHE BOARD REPLIES TO SOME OF THE DoCIoKS
sTATEMENTs-TExT OF Ills LETTER
The Board Of Managers OF the Morris Plains n. j.,
Insane Asylum held meeting Of the a'S ium yesterday,
and considered the letter of resignation OF Dr. Edward
c Booth, the medical director The managers ex-
pressed Indignation certain passages In tho letter
rejecting on tho Board and committee was appointed
40 Gee DR. Booth and demand the withdrawal Of the
os.nslye rxp,cssons DR.. Booth refused 10 withdraw
ANYTHING stated in tho letter The resignation was
accented and Dr. H. c. Harris, the first assistant was
elected medical director Some changes were made
and a new code adopted for the general manage
nent A committee of the Board drew up reply to
The letter Of DR. Booth contradcting his statements
and presenting the facts according TO the Boards
knowlcdgc and views. Dr. Harris, the medica al
director was formerly connected with the Norstown,
Penn Lunatc Asylum, and has had six years ex-
pcrience. DR.. Booths letter was as follows
To tho Board Of Managers OF the State Asylum FOR the
Insane OF Morrisown
Gentlemen: In tho year 1885, at your request after
.,mc years service assistant physician accepted
nice OF Medical Director OF the State Asylum
sane Morristown. did this with mseivngs TO
the working OF the system but encouraged by
assurances Of the hearty support OF the and
wardens with whom personal relations had been most
kind Tho system Is faulty. and the best results cannot
be obtained under IT. yet with competent and reason
able man, devoted the welfare OF patients at tho
head OF each department. It's defects might to consider
able extent rcmeded 1t ia not for to whether
am such person, but It is only justice declare plainly
that my Judgment the warden is and in this view
am confirmed by tho practically unanimous opinion OF
those who havo had opportunity to know how he has
discharged his duties this with no nl-will to the
warden, with whom have always been able though at
with difficulty TO keep up the outward forms oil
courtesy
Tho medical department has been made 30 dependent
upon of the warden that any msmanagcment on his
part ncdisey t,lt therein sought 10 correct the
evils by exercising tho given 70 and
fefau ding tha
repeated entertainments. Thus, when the regular diet
prescribed furnished by him proved UNIT the phys-
clans fesorted freely their power order special diet
taking pains little Inconvenience possible.
these orders dsobeyed they were contin-
usly, only resource was 10 complain to your board
This did, avoiding for time Complaints OF the war1en's
deficiencies In his legitimate department When, how
ever public Investigation ordered, through act OF
mine considered it duty to disclose as fully as DOS
sbc all nescc,s affected the comfort and treatment
Of the patients.
1t my hope that the managers. who alone have the
power introduce reforms, would assume impartial
attitude 1t therefore painful surprise to me to
hearing the evidence several Of them had
openly taken sides with the warden resentng the offer
Of evidence Of his nsmanaeemcnt and that the exposure
before the Legislative Committee OF abuses which was
impossible conceal tfuthfuy regarded by some Of
he managers a attack upon themselves The dis
charge ny assistants DR.. Mcfarland, physician
81 high character and promise for no offence other than
Jealous service in tho investigation ordered by the Legis
atuV, including call made by him at my request upon
one the employees OF the warden's department.
cure her statement discharge made without consulting
me, and far can learn without consulting any
asylum except the warden together with the
fact be the settled policy OF the managers
ma the warden infct the penalty OF summary dis
rssal upon any employee who shall testify 10 abuses
iestroys all presumption Of serious determination to
reform the management
Apart from considerations my position has long
pa;fu from the consciousness that could not
secure proper treatment Of the patients Accordingly
constrained add my name to the long roll OF phys
during the last three have for similar
resigned their Offices in the Morris Plains Asylum
md hereby tender 10 you my resignation as Medical
Director by of my engagement you are
entitled to three months notice but request the Board
fix early date possible for my relief IT remains
only say that in leaving the asylum where have
spent nearly OF life, desire TO retain in
only the personal courtcs!cs have received AMI
express the hope hJ. tls magnificent building, which
will stand generations after the present differences
and difficulties forgotten. Will yet amply fulfil the
noble purpose for which IL erected
am. gentlemen, yours respectfully.
EDWARD c. BOOTH.