St. Paul daily globe., 1889-06-15

place. People at distance from mere
who have been reading the sensational
stories published in the leading Repub-
lican papers OF st. Paul and MinneapO-
lis would imagine that the Rochester
asylum was den of iniQuity, and that
barbaritles which would put savage
to shame were of every day occurrence.
The effect has been tdpcreate preju-
dice against the institution, and TO
cause apprehension among the friends
of the patients here that they were not
properly cared for. To all who expert
ence this feeling can say most en-
iphatically there is nothing to justify
the prejudice, nor is there the least
ground for apprehension. / came here
on behalf of the GLOBE to give the mat
ter
THOROUGH AND IMPARTIAL
Investigation in order that our readers
may know the exact condition of affairs.
and after making such an investigation
am convinced that many Of the most
sensational statements that have been
published were not warranted by the
facts. A simple and truthful statement
and cruelty handled by two attendants,
and the probabilities a1e that he died
from the effect of his rough treatment.
There Is nothing to justify the state
ment that the treatment Combs re-
ceived was common in the institution or
that the officers ever encouraged, or
even tolerated such conduct on the part
of the attendants. The reverse is true;
and whenever it was discovered that an
attendant was inhuman or unneceSsa-
rily harsh in his management of the
patients he was Invariably discharged.
The hospital is kept in the best order
that is possible with the resources at
hand, for whatever is lacking In its
equipment is due more to the
PARsIMONY OF THE LEGISLATURE
than to the inefficiency of the manage
ment. l made visit to the institution
at an early hour in the morning when I
was not looked for, and consequently
there could have been no preparation
for my visit. A thorough inspection of
all the wards and every department
of the institution revealed the most
orderly and systematic arrangement.
The wards were as neat, comfortable
and homelike in all their appoint
ments as it was possible to make them.
Every provision was made for the COM
fort and security Of the patients, and l
know that these poor unfOrtunates are
a great deal better off here than they
would be in their own homes. DIR.
Bowers has been the subject of severest
censure. and after careful inquiry
into his connection with the Combs af-
fair arrive at the conclusion that a
grievOus injustice has been done the
man. say this all the more freely be-
cause DR.. Bowers is a stranger to me,
so there Is nothing to prejudice me
either for or against him. never saw
him until to-day and we exchanged no
words on the subject which most con-
Germs him, and about which all the peO-
pie OF the state are talking. The worst
that can be said of him truthfully is
that possibly
HE HAS BEEN NEGLIGENT
and may have been lacking In judg-
ment. And yet this is not certain, for
after searching investigation the
grand jury made report to-day that
but one sentiment here among the peo-
pie of Rochester and that is voiced in
the report of grand jury. never
knew case where serious charges were
preferred against public official and so
much pain taken in the beginning to in
flame and prejudice the public mind
against him that the people of the COM
imunity in which he lived SO ounanimOus-
,ly and so cordially rallied together in
'vlndication of his personal reputa-
ttion, as the people of Rochester
have come up to the support
of DR.. Bowers. The very fact
that he SO thoroughly enjoys the conf
idence of the entire people among whom
he has lived, is to my mind the evidence
that he has been unjustly censured.
There can be no more trying or re-
sponsible position than to be superin-
tendent of all institution like this, and
it is beyond the range of human possi-
some time. It is a misfortune that
there are
-, NO TRAINED NURSES
for service in insane asyIums, and a
superintendent is compelled to hire such
help as he can get. 1t is but logical
that it should occur now and then that
an unfit person should be employed.
and the mistake cannot be discovered
until there has been some overt act
committed. The duties of a superin-
tendent are so varied and on
erous, he is compelled to rely a
great deal upon his subordinates.
l think it is an error that the law does
not provide for division of response
bilities in the management of these in
stitutions. and that the superintendent
should be so far relieved of business
cares as to be able to devote his whole
time to the treatment of patients, and to
the study of each particular case. The
fully exOnerateS DR.. Bowers and his
associate officials from all response
bility for the death of Taylor Combs,
and certify that his death was caused
by the use of unjustifable force used
upon him by the two attendants. The
grand jury. howe yer. find that in their
opinion the superintendent and the
other officials were guilty of grave
neglect of duty in emitting to report to
the trustees or to the law officers of the
county the facts in their possession.
But they say in addition: "While this
is true we are satisfied and the evidence
shows beyond reasonable controversy.
that the superintendent in emitting to
report the case, acted upon
CONSCIENTIOUS BUT MISTAKEN
sense of duty, and in accordance with
what he believed to be for the best in
Coroner MOsse is also relieved of CEN
sure and fully vindicated. They are of
the opinion that the number of attend
ants should be increased, and some sys-
tenn adopted by which only competent
attendants shall be employed. The in
vestigation of the Knettle case confirmed
the grand jury in the belief that the
patients death had been acceler-
ated by cruel treatment, inflicted
either by attendants or patients.
Some of the supervisors of the
wards are censured for negligence
and for compelling patients to perform
menial service and assisting in handling
other patients. A number of reforms
are suggested that will be worthy the
attention of the next legislature. The
report, was favorably received by the
people here. There will be sensation
at the asylum some day worth talking
about, unless the legislature makes an
for remodeling and re-