The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-10-31
WHAT FLETCHER SWORE TO.
THE HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE.
Extracts From the Evidence Before the
Investigating Committee by the Man
Who is Now Assailing the Hospital
Management Out of Revenge.

DR.. W. B. Fletcher has been assailirg
the management of the insane hospital
very bitterly, through the newspapers,
in circulars, and by public addresses, and
the republicans have given his attacks the
widest publicity, in the hope that some
political capital would be made of them.
1t was hoped, too, by this means to divert
attention from the tariff and other vital
issues of the campaign. DIR. Fletcher, as
is well known, was removed from the
superintendency of the asylum some time
since, because of his unfortunate personal
habits. When the investigation of the
management of the institution was in
progress he gave voluminous testimony,
from which the following extracts are
taken, which are commended to the at
tention of the public:
Questions by Mr.. Spaan:-)
Question-''You, of course, are person
ally and intimately acquainted all this
time with the three members of the board
-Gapen, Burrell and Harrison?"
Answer-"Yes, sir"
Q-'I would like to know if you con-
slider them honorable, straightforward
men?"
Al do"
| Or would like to know if you con-
slider Mr.. Gapen a good business man?'
A.-"Yes, sir"
Q-"And Mr. Burrell?"
A.-''Yes, sir"
Q.-"And DR.. Harrison?"
A.-"Not as commercial man, but
/ good business man in ordinary affairs"
! Q.-"You have very efficient medical
staff out there, have you not?"
| Al think So"
| Q-"There is harmony among the medi-
cal staff, is there not?"
A.-"Yes, sir, so far as l know"
Q.-"There is no INSTRUMENTATION
among the members OF the medical staff,
is there?"
A.-"No, sir"
Ono chickering's, or quarrels, or back
| billings, that you know of?'
A.-"Nothing of any consequence.
Q.-"Nothing more than is incident to
human nature?"
A.-"No, sir"
Q-'Dr. Thomas is a man competent
| for his position, is he not?"
Al so regard him, or l would not
have him there"
Q.-"And that is true of all the other
doctors you have out there?"
Att is"
Q.-"Compared with those that you
have become acquainted with, either by
personal observation or by information,
how will our hospital compare with
those?"
A.-''Where it is run strictly by state
charity, know OF none superior and very
few equal"
Q.-"Do you consider the three gentle
men who are members of the board COM
petent men for their places?"
A.-"YYes' sir"
Q.-"Now then, l will ask you if, in
| your opinion, these trustees have not in
! dividually and collectively done whatever
they could do for the good of that iDstitu-
ton, taking into consideration the means
and the powers at their commando"
Al believe they have"
Q.-'Now. there was some talk here
about appointments out there. Ultimately
all appointments that were made were
made by you?"
A.-"Yes, sir"
Q.-"And none against your will y
A.-"None were rejected that named"
o. say, no appointments were made
against your expressed will?
A.-"NO, sir"
Q.-"To clear that question of mud that
has been thrown about it, / will ask you
If YOU were ever forced to make any par
ticular appointments
Al was never forced to do it at all. -
Q.-"This is the bill of fare: Break
fast-Meat, hash, butter, coffee, tea, milk,
bread and butter. Dinner-Boiled pota-
toes, roast fresh pork, sweet potatoes, cab
bage, pickles and ginger-cake. Supper
Apples, bread, butter and tea. Those who
are feeble or sick have selections from the
special diet list, which has within its range
milk, cream, tea, coffee, chocolate, beef
tea, beef essence, eggs, oysters, poultry,
bread of any kind ordered, and fresh meats
as desired. That you still indorse?"
Ayes, sir"
Q.-"Now, then, will ask you if you
had the consent, and not only the consent
but the active cooperation of these two
trustees and your officers under you Ia
bring about the state of affairs outlined in
the extracts have read from your various
reports ?"
Ar think I have. I have never
heard them object"
Q.-"Now, on Sept. %, 1886, you wrote
communication to The INDIANAPOLIS
SENTINEL, signed w. b. Fletcher. That is
true, is it not?" Shows witness paper
Al think that is correct do not re.
member much about it, but believe it is
all right"
Q.-"The communication reads this
way: The inquiry you made re.