New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-02-18
AN OLD CONFLICT REVIVED.
KINGS COUNTY DEMOCRATS FIGHTING THE
LUNACY COMMISSION
TRYING TO DEFEAT THE CONFIRMATION OF
MESSRS. BROWN AND REEVES - THE
GOVERNOR REFUSES TO WITH
DRAW THEIR NOMINATIONS.

GOVERNOR REFUSES TO WITH
DRAW THEIR NOMINATIONS.
(FRoM TIE REGCLAR CORRESPONDENT OF The TRIBUNE
Albany. Feb. 1.-THE Kings County Democratic
politicians. who We're deprived Of rich "pickiigN III
the Kings County asylum through the action CT the
State Commission In Lunacy In reforming the man
agement Of these Institutions. have began a war
upon the Commissioners They are determined To
defeat the confirmation OF Goodwin Brown and Henry
\. Reeves. Of the Lunacy Commissioners who have
been ienonnated By Governor Flower, and also to
obtain the resembling by the courts Of legal order
made by the Lunacy Commissioners In January
1892 which compelled the Board Of Charities an
Correction OF BROOKLYN TO reform the manas ement
Of the King, County a,ylunl> Tho opinion about
the confirmation OF McSsrs. Brown and Reeves held
In Brooklyn was disclosed by Senator's McCary ana
McCarrcn, who waited upon Governor Flower and
requested him to withdraw the nominations. Governor
Flower positively declined 10 do this.
The conflict between the Lunacy Commissioners
and the Kings County Democrats Is an old one. In
their report for lo02 the Commissioners say The
Commission, from time soon after its organiza
ton. gave is attention 10 the management Of tho
Kings County institutions. II was much diSsaS-
fed with their conduct, and II early made recon-
| mendations which II carried out wond have STENCIL
the voice OF criticism. The elarng fault Of the in
situations the fact of divided responsibility II
being claimed BY the general superintendent and the
medical officers that they practically had little or no
control pf the selection. appointment c discharge Of
any Of Inc subordinate employees. WHILE on the other
hand the Commissioners OF Charities and Correction
claimed that while they formally made thu appoint
mcnts and discharGes. they were really governed by
the action Of the sui"rtntendents."
The Lunacy Commissioners in the latter part oil
1891 brought the Commissioners Of Charities and Coz
Iccton to their knees by golng TO Brooklyn and be-
ginning an investigation Of the Kings County Insane
Asylum. The Commissioners OF Charities and Cor
| .,Ja
forms II the Lunacy Commissioners would make the
investigation n formal one. This compromise waa
accepted by the Lunacy Commissioners, and they
merely took the evidence OF few OF tho officials OF
the as,lum siglt this investigation, 1t showed
a disgraccful management Of the asylum
Then. with the consent of the Commissioners Of
Charities and Correction, the Supreme Court through
Judge Cullen. Issued order directing reformation
Of the management of tho asylum. This order was
actually drawn up by the Lunacy Commissioners, and
embraced most stringent rules.
Great reforms have beer made IN the Kings County
Insane Asylum In consequence Of this order but now
the Kings County Democratic politicians wish to have
the order revoked. on January - the state Com
mission In Lunacy received letter from John \.
Quntard. the counsel Of the Kings County Board Of
haritcs and Correction. asking for their Cooperation
and assistance in the matter of vacating the order
procured from the supreme Court.
The Commission in Lunacy In reply to this letter,
stated that when formal Hlrcng was held the
matter would be considered. In reply to this com
munication. letter was received ffcm Mr.. Quintard
stating that he board could not understand why the
decision could not be made Immediately. and that
unless within a few DAYS the board received reply
Ia II, former letter the Commissioners OF Charities
md Correction would assume that the attitude of the
Commission In Lunncy still uniricndly to them.
No further core pondence has taken place the
subject. Vn February Ii the counsel of the Com
miSsioners served each member OF the state Com
mission In Lunacy afldavits, Exhibits and notice of
motion 10 vacate the order made by the Commission
ard approved by Judge Cullen. rcturnab before Judge
Cullen Mnrcl -. The Commissioners informed
the counsel that The matter would be referred the
Attorney General but that they cou.d
the vacation of the order. and would b. compelled
request the Attorney General 10 resist the application
they believed that the vacating Of the order would
result I'm a restoration Of the old condition Of affairs
which not creditahlc IN King, County 10 the
State. Inc commissioners In LLnacy viii night deter
minedly against the revocation Of Judge Cullcns
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