The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1891-05-28


conclude that you do not wish such a
trial" The only trial offered me is
one by the Governor. The bylaws of
the Institution give the Regents the
right to elect the Superintendent to
hold lis Office at the pleasure OF the
Board. The Constitution gives the
Governor the power to appoint the SUI
perintendent with the advice and con-
sent Of the Senate. l hold that these
are the only two courts competent to
try ne. by the first have been exon
Grated after thorough examination of
the testimony; a trial by the Senate has
not been offered.
After mature consideration of the
whole matter feel constrained to de-
cline to tender my resignation while
there are charges against me.
l trust your Excellency will pardon
the suggestion that there remain but
three solutions Of this unpleasant con-
troverSy: y withdrawal Of the charges,
or impeachment before the Senate Of
the State, or summary dismissal from
Office by the Governor.
have the honor to be, very respect
| fully, your Obedicnt servant,
u. T.. GRIFFIN, superintendent.
TIE MILNE CASE.
Enclosed in the letter was the follow
ing:
OFFICE SOUTH CAR oLINA LUNATICJ J
ASYLUM, :
COLUMBIA, S. c., May 20th, 1891. J
DR.. Il. +. Griffin, Supt. ). &. l.. Asylum,
Columbia, 5. &.
| DEAR SIR: | regret to note in the
published correspondence between Gov
ernOr Tillman and yourself that his
EXcellpncy, in quoting me as to the
moral insanity OF Mr.. Milne, makes al
application which think will not ht
sustained by my testimony-ccrtain
not by what | meant to convey. Al
, explanation may not be amiss, for it is
due the Governor that he be prevented
under a miSap pprchenSion, from doing
injustice to any one; it is due TO myself
that my position be not misConstrued
Moral insanity is quite Il different
condition from moral depravity. ant
the one cannot be inferred from tht
other. 1t is well, also, to consider thai
there are various degrees and trndpn
cies Of this ailliction.
| still hold my expressed opinion 0
Mr.. Milne, and it is not incOmSiStcn
with these views to say that in no ScnsC
and ut no time has the safety of the fe
male patients been endangered hy tn,
r liberty you allowed him. There wa
= nothinI in his history or reputation
: uneasiness in that particular. Yer.
| truly yours, l.. Il. COHBETr.
! TIL; GOVERNOR'S ACTION.
y The above was received by the Gov
!, ernor at his onlce at 1.52 o'clock. Coy
l. ernor Tillman received 1t from tn
s hand of his orderly, and, after barel
. glancing over it, saw that his requc
J. had not been complied with, and, layin
it aside, he turned to his desk, pickc
y up his pen and wrote the following:
q DR.. y. f. Griffin, Superintendent, c
=, lumbia, :. {.
y SIR: Your letter Of to-day is receive
y AS you leave me no alternative, | her
- , by notify you that you are removed ;
, Superintendent Of the State LunatI
" Asylum, and order you to turn ovt
~ ~ the Office, etc, to DR.. Thompson. w h
y will assume temporary control OF t h
:, institution. Yours respectfully,
" B. II. TILLMAN, Governor
Il Upon completing this letter the Coy
u ernOr then wrote the following, an
q after having them copied, enclose
r them in envelopes and ordered them
:, - be taken to the Asylum:
:" DR.. j. l.. Thompson Sir DR.. Il
~ Griffin has been removed as superb
I1 tendent Of the Lunatic Asylum. Io
" :, will take charge Of the onice and IA
J same the duties of superintendent unit
g." his successor has been appointed. \ on
=, respectfully, B. IL. TILLMAN,
% Governor.