St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-09-29
DIR. BOWERS RESIGNS.
The Committee EXOnerates Him
and Accepts-His Letter Of De-
fqnSa

The Committee Exonerates Him
and Accepts-His Letter Of De-
Tense.
The entire board was present at the
hotel meeting, with one exception, that
of c. ID. Wright, and considerable i'm
portant business was transacted. The
resignation of DIR. J. E. Bowers as
superintendent of the asylum was re-
ceived and accepted, and resolution
was passed generating him from all
culpability in connection with the al
legged ill-treatment of patients at the
abOve-named institution, and also from
any blame in the matter of the death of
the patient Taylor Combs. The resolu-
ton is as follows:
Be it Resolved, By the board OF trustees of
the Second Minnesota Hospital for the III
sane
That Whereas, We have received the resig-
nation of DR.. j. +. Bowers as superintend-
ent of the Second hospital for insane, that in
accepting the same, as we now do, we desire
to bear personal testimony TO the loyalty, I'M
tagging devotion, with which for thirty years
he has served the STATE. We take this OPP
pOrtunity of testifying our entire con-
didence in the integrity and ability of
DR.. Bowers. We observe with pleasure that
most searching inquiry and the closest in
vestigatiOn has failed TO develop anything
rejecting on his character or integrity and
that his professional standing is not ques
toned. We assure Dr. Bowers that our best
wishes go with him TO whatever field of
labor he may engage in ard that we tender
him our thanks for the faithful and efficient
service he has rendered the state, for which
he merits the gratitude Of the people.
The letter which contained Supt.
Bowers resignation is as follows:
DIR. BOWERS LETTER.
Having heard the reading of the report of
the committee appointed by His EXcelleney
Gov. Merriam, to Investigate the unfortunate
occurrence of the death of the patient Tav-
lOr Combs and other matters connected with
the second hospital for the insane, l find that
am thereby acquitted of any direct blame
or intentional wrong and that am fully exon
Grated from the charges OF negligence or mis-
management But the report admits that,
considering the numerous and arduOus du-
ties required of me, | performed them faith
fully and honestly. When il is admitted in
the report that of the ninety charges and
complaints of abuse to patients by attend
ants only twenty were sustained by proof,
and when the further fact is considered that
these charges covered a period 0f ten years
and half. and that during that period 2, 600
patients we're treated. it is certainly a very
small percentage. OF the twenty cases con-
sidered proven, some were never brought to
my knowledge until they were mentioned at
the investigation.
that my failure to report the circumstances
connected with the death OF Taylor Combs
was grave error of judgment, but to err is
human and many another man might have
made the same mistake If placed in
the same dilemma. For twenty-one years
l have served the state and have helped
to build up two enormous hospitals, which
have no hesitation in saying, compare favor
ably with any in the country l feel the III
ward consciousness that during my long
service have ever stTiven to discharge hon
estly and faithfully the responsibility de-
VOlved upon me, first as assistant for ten
years. and later for ten more as superlntend-
ent of the hospital at Rochester. Those of
you gentlemen who know me best will give
me credit for honesty of purpose, for hard
work, and for never-fagging interest in my
specially.
MY AIM
as you we'll know, has always been to restore
all durable cases TO health of body and mind,
and to promote the welfare and greatest pos
sible comfort of those who needed care on
account of chronic or incurable INSANITY, but
with the least cost to the state. The board
will know that by thoughtful and careful
management | have saved the state many
hundred dollars in various improvements,
/, and worked out more liberty and less re-
Straint for the patients L have often
experienced, gentlemen, that the building up
and superintendence of great hospital like
this is no sinecure. l know that have not
merited or deserved the severe ana unjust
CrlLlclSn OF q portion OF puUliC press VI
| the state. Ease and comfort and freedom
| from annoyance are not found in the hos
| pitaI superintendent position, and surely
| the emoluments connected Herewith are not
| sufficient aside from the interest one might
! take in a good and noble work. The care
| and treatment of the insane, and
| the study of important and interest
! ing specially, to compensate for the
| unpleasant associations and the risk OF life
! one takes from within, or the unjust criti-
| cism to which the incumbent may be sub
| iected from without. Heretofore have not
| been in a position to resign. because | was
under suspension and Investigation, but felt
| confident that should be indicated. and
| that justice would be done. Gentlemen, il
! is enough for me that L have
| been fairly eXonerated by an impartial,
| painstakiug. and honorable committee, who
! have patiently heard and sifted all COM
| plants. have neither the inclination nor
| the necessity to hold on to this Office, and in
| order TO relieve your board and his excellen-
| cy. the governor, from any further embar-
| BASEMENT. l hereby respectfully tender my
| resignation as superintendent of the Second
| Hospital for Insane.
| j. E. BOWERS, A NJ. NJ. D.
| No further business was transacted,
and motion to adjourn until Thursday
| npVt was adODtPd.