The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1891-05-28
GRIFFIN GOES OUT.
BE Demands Peremptory Dismissal and
Gets 1t-Curt Demand for His Keys
and Office.
Especial to the Daily News I

| lSPeSlaI w Luc Odlly news.
COLUMBIA, S. e., May 2O.-Super
intendent Griffin, Of the asylum, to
day answered the letter of Governor
Tillman requesting his resignation, ir
which he says: The charges agains,
me seem to be reduced to two specif.
cations-frst, the infrequency of my
visits to certain wards, and second
permitting one of the male patients tc
have a key which gave access to the
female department.
I'm reply to the first I can only re.
peat what has been already published,
that I receive every morning written
reports from seven watchers which
show the condition of every ward each
hour of the night; that the matrons
and supervisors make daily written
reports from seven watchers which
show the condition of every ward each
hour of the night; that the matrons
and supervisors make daily written
and verbal reports Of tneir respective
departments that my assistant ply
sicians after the morning inspection
give me written and verbal reports of
the condition Of patients; that I am in
daily consultation with them in re-
gard to the treatment of patients, Wis
iting those that peed special attention,
and that the by laws wisely leave to
the discretion of the superintendent
the frequency or time Of his visits Of
inspection.
"Referring to the second charge you
state The man Milne whom you
characterize as crank and who Doc
tor Corbett says is morally insane, by
which I understand that be has 8
depraved nature which would not
hesitate to crafty any passion or appe-
tite, this man was permitted for
months to have a key which would
open the doors Of the female wards
In reply to this I beg to repeat my
denial that Milne was permitted to
have a key, or that he is morally in
sane in the meaning of having no
sense of right and wrong, or of yield
ing to the blind impulses of brutal
passion. On the contrary during his
confinement here his department to-
wards women has been uniformly
proper, respectful, deferential. It has
been proven that in point of fact he
never was in the female wards except
when employed in painting and then
always in the presence of an attend
ant or of another painter hired to as
"It is also well known that the ex-
terror doors are secured by inside bolts
which no key can operate. feel con-
fdent that calm and impartial consid-
Grafton would show that there were
really no Opportunities which would
cause the mind to revolt or the imagi-
nation to si;ken.' AS this charge is
mainly supported by DR.. Corbett's
Characterization of Milne, beg to call
your excellency's attention to the ac-
companying letter toshow how far you
misunderstood or misconstrued this
meaning; "In your letter requesting
my resignation, it is stated that you are
"forced to conclude that you do not
wish for such trial" The only trial
offered me is one by the Governor.
The bylaws of the institution give the
regents the right to elect the super
intendent to hold his office at the pleas.
ure Of the board. The constitution
gives the Governor power to appoint
a superintendent, with the advice and
consent of the senate hold that
there are only two courts competent
to try me. By the first have been
exonerated after thorough examination
of the testimony. Trial by the senate
has not been offered. After mature
consideration of the whole matter I
feel constrained to decline to tender my
resignation while there are charges
against me. I trust your excellency
will pardon the suggestion that there
remains but three solutions of this un-
pleasant controversy: The withdraw
al of charges or, impeachment before
the. senate of the, State, or summary
dismissal from Office by the Gouernor."
The Governor replied "Asyou leave
me no alternative hereby notify you
that you are removed as superin-
tendent of the lunatic asylum, and
order you to turn over the office, etc.,
to DR.. Thompson who will assume
temporary control of the institution"
Doctor Griffin was intervied tonight
by News representative.
He stated that he believed he had
been vindicated by the people, and his
first intention was TO resist the Cover
nor's action in the courts.
On reflection be decided to vacate,
and will 60 her to Charleston Or
DIR. GRIFFIN TURNS OVER.
The State, 22nd.l
Yesterday morning DR.. P. E. Grif-
fin, as soon as he could arrange all
necessary matters, formally turned
over the management of the asylum to
bis temporary successor, DR.. J. L.
Thompson.
DR.. Thompson, upon assuming con-
troll of the institution, visited the Gov
ernor, informing him of the fact and
asking when his successor would be
appointed. The Governor informed
him that he was unable to say, and in
structed him to run the institution as
usual.
DR.. Thompson is desirious of the per-
superintendent being ap- l.