The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-07-29
INSANE HOSPITAL MATTERS.
A Gentleman Who Claims to Know Says that
the Old Gang Still Has Control.

The matter of Insane Asylum contracts.
mentioned yesterday, recalls a converse
ton with gentleman who resides so near
the hospital that he has reliable informa-
ton. He says: Every body. without re-
gard to party, felt relieved when DR..
Wright accepted the SUPPLEMENTARY of
the Hospital for In sane-for it was heralded
abroad that he accepted with full power to
conduct the institution in an upright man
ner, untrammeled by anybody's bargains.
DR.. Wright knew all about the old gang,
both inside and out of the hospital-two
legislative investigations, one in his own
party, had shown its rottiness-and yet he
is so tied down that the same old gang are
in fact bosses Of the situation. With the
exception of removing DR.. Wiles. who had
experience, to put in the brother of Mr..
Curtis. of late legislative fame. who had
no experience, no change Ofimportance has
been made. Harrison's carpenter and his
night watch are still on duty. Little Sem
ator Duncan keeps his hand on the store
room by giving a new steward in place of
his Hall-but it's the same old gang Poker
is still in vogue after pay day, and the
nominal porter, who has stood in with the
gang for years, sells refreshments to the
boys, and does the funny business as of old
DR.. Thomas. of savOry investigation of last
winter, still airs his shirt studs and smokes
his Havanas on the front pOrtico. Oh, its
precisely the same old wagon, painted a
new color.
"a curious state of affairs was shown ND
In recent meeting of the trustees. The
superintendent was trying to impress his
rights upon some points, and said: Well |
am superintendent here and the law saws
such and such shall be my prerogatives.'
And / want you to be superintendent
here said Markey but Won must remem
Der / am trustee, and trustees can make
superintendent and fix their salaries, and
can make all the bylaws by which he is
governed. and by which every department
of this institution is rum
$40 show that the new superintendent
intended to clean out the Harrison gang
was shown by his first act He demanded
the resi- gnation of all officers and heads of
departments, and all were promptly handed
and arranged that should their resigna-
tions be accepted every officer and chief of
department would leave instanter. This
arrangement was fully understood by both
the old and new trustees.) A friend let it
leak out TO the superintendent just in time.
He at once consulted Marley and others,
and considering il discretion ordered ali
the old gang to resume duty, and there
they are to this day. Whenever an old
timer meets another old-timer at sDayis's
say We'll, let's resign and pull down the
left corner of the right eye.
One of the ablest physicians at the hos
pital was German. He was the most
useful, too. because there are many patients
who do not speak English. When this doc
tor got his order to send his resignation he
was shocked, he had refused to join in the
plot with the others. and did not see that
he had been guilty of anything that should
cause his resignation to be demanded-he
was a good Democrat, and had good backing,
but alas for him. he had the instincts and
culture of a gentleman. He sent his resig-
nation as ordered, packed his grip, and re-
tired, leaving the impression that at least
one apt physician had some professional
dignity.
"Rumors are very lively about the insti-
tuition. that there is a flame about to break
forth that will show the public that there
is compact of the Harrison gang with the
new trustees, to cover up the dirt of the
former. and keep the political faith and
promises of the latter, which is going to
greatly embarrass the new superintendent.
who, if let alone, would make the hospital
q model institution"