The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-05-01
Harrison, Gapen and Burrell Retire From
the Insane Hospital.

Daily Sentinel of April 27.l
The new board of trustees for the insane hos
pital met yesterday and let the contracts for
supplies the coming month. No objection to
their authority was made by the members of
the old board, they apparently taking 1t for
granted that they had reached the end of their
rope. The formal transfer of the books and
papers was made by Treasurer Gapen. In the
afternoon the new board paid visit to the
hospital. Prior TO the boards arrival Dr.
Galbraith. the superintendent. was seen and
his attitude toward the proposed action of the
new board was ascertained. 1t was suggested
to him that the board had decided upon a new
superintendent as his successor. The doctor
emphatically declared that he was in no mood
to surrender his office at this time, for various
reasons, prominent among them being that
since he was chosen for a period of four years
and had served but two of them, he felt that
he had lawful claim TO hold on for at least
two years more. He claimed that he could not
be removed unless charges were preferred
against him and sustained.
"But, doctor il was suggested, THE board
has said that it has agreed upon your success
sOr, but withholds his name"
"Well they did not talk that way TO me
when met with them. and courtesy would de-
mana tnat tney consult me, which they nave
not done" was the response.
Later on the new trustees reached the asy-
lum, and they were asked what steps they pro-
posed taking. They naturally sought the doc
tor before venturng a reply, and after two
hours consultation lett the hospital. Dr. Gal
braith was again seen after their departure,
when he stated that in consequence of the linn
tied salary he received, which was not enough
TO Justify a professional man in remaining at
the head of an institution imposing such great
responsibility, he had determined to hand in
his resignation as soon as the business of the
institution, now begun and unfinished had
been disposed of. He said he had petitioned
the legislature for an increase of salary of 81 800
per annum. making the salary $500, but the
matter had been passed by.
Last evening the new board formally ten
dered to Dr. c. F. Wright the superintendency
of the hospital so soon il shall become va
cant by the resignation OF DIR. Galbraith. The
prOher was accepted. The doctor said he
would take the place only upon the express
condition that he should have full authority as
well as responsibility; that he should be a.
lowed to employ and discharge all his subordi-
mates without interference from or dictation by
anyone; and that in the sphere of his duties he
should not be hampered or handicapped in
any way. Every member Of the board cor
daily agreed to this and when DR.. Wright
takes charge of the hospital he will be superIn-
tendent in fact as well as in name.
DIR. Thomas Harrison retired as president OF
the insane hospital board with more or less
grace, but maintains that he is still president
of the deaf and dumb and blind asylum boards.
Gov. Hovey has refused TO issue commissions
to the other boards until the supreme court
has decided their cases. There is now consider
able doubt as to these cases being taken to the
courts. When Gov. Hovey first raised the
question of the legality of these elections by
the legislature an understanding was reached
between him and the attorneys for the boards
that the decision in the insane hospital case
should control all the others. The supreme
courts decision, however, was not as full and
explicit as expected with regard to the power
of the legislature to elect. and Gov. Hovey has
taken advantage of that fact 10 raise bubble
and positively refuses to issue commissions
until compelled TO do so by a mandatory order
of court. The members of the various boards
feel that they have expended all the time and
money they can afford in contesting the mat
ter. and some of them assert that they will
make no further effort to sucure their offices.
Under this state of circumstances DIR. Harri-
son, backed by Gov. Hovey and Atty.Gen.
Kitchener, proposes to hang on.