New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-28
extra pay to compensate them for the added strain
upon them.
SENATOR PARKER TESTIFIES.
OFFENDING THE MANAGEMENT OF THE
HUDSON RIVER HOSPITAL
HE ACKNOWLEDGES IGNORANCE OF SOME
THINGS. BUT DENIES NEGLECT OF DUTY
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS SAVED
BY DR.. CLEAVELAND.

BY DR.. CLEAVELAND.
Albany, March 27.-The investigation into the
management Of the Hudson River State Hospital at
Poughkeepsie was continued this afternoon before
the state Commissioner In Lunacy Senator Parker
was the only witness examined. and the testimony
consumed two hours and half There were no
spectators Mr.. Parker has been president Of the
Bonrd Of Trustees OF the hospital since 1881.
Deputy Attorney General Gilbert conducted the ex-
animation.
Senator Parker testified that visits Of inspection
had usually been made at the time Of holding
quarterly meetings, although he could not say
positively that every member OF the board had gone
through the institution AT least once year since
1885, when the last date Of inspection was entered In
the record book. lie never knew that one person
had for two years been furnishing meat without COM
petition or ne would have Investigated quicker than
lightning. few years ago the board had required
that bids should be secured by advertisement. and
he supposed that these directions had been carried
ont. The board got what 1t thought low bids for It's
coal, considering its quality The Finance Com
mittee was composed Of John !. Platt and james
Roosevelt Mr.. natt being the more active OF the
two. He had unbounded confidence in both men,
bers OF this committee lie never until recently
had his attention called to the fact that the coal
for the hospital cost $4,000 more in 1891 than IN
1890. He had until few weeks ago supposed
that DR.. Cleaveland's health would not permit OF
his attending to his duties. Dr. cleveland had twice
requested to be relieved, but in such an informal
and confidential way that he had not considered 1t
necessary to lay the matter before the board. and
each time shortly afterward Dr. cleveland had agreed
to STAY. lie had not known that the hospital
apotbecary was an Incorporate man until informed
of that after board meeting by Dr. Cleavcland, ana
soon afterward he saw that the resignation OF the
man In charge OF that department had oeeh ac-
cepted. He had not known that the apothecnry had
not been relieved Until two weeks alter IuhacS
Commissioner Brown had demanded his removal
Senator Parker declared over and over again mat
no had no knowledge that Dr. Cleaveland Tor several
years had not made an average OF one WISH year
N nil the wards in the hospital He thought how
ever that there might been circumstances which
would afford an explanation. DR.. Cleaveand had
suffered two years ago with the grip but had sans
factory and competent assistants and the Senator would
not admit that the wards had been negec'ed II
he had Thought otherwise he would not have iailed
TO take steps to relieve DR.. Cleaveland, who, ne
Thought was a painstaltng, conscientious ana com
petent man. Since 1ss6 DR.. Cleayeland had savc s
many thousands of dollars 10 the state thcoueh hs
superintsndence OF building operations and outside
work connected with the hospital. o,,.., ~,
The witness said that he could not be accused OF
neglecting his duty because the superntendent had
not visited all the wards during the gear lie did no,
would ' be- aware Of it. He did not believe the hos
pital steward had purchased Hour OF frlend III Ne"
Yo ,Se c ss cnG on the
said the hospital was buNt TO he run rather expn.
ys for acute The naq could have
reduced the hospital expenses per capita II they hsd
followed system OF ssns Sam a had No been h.
rule. senator Parker believed the hospital to be as
DEPUTY Attorney General Gilbert showed that be
tween 1870 and 1892 the Poughkeepsie hospital had
cost 90 1e912s as against 81 odS 2aS for uaen
The commission will resume its investigation TO-
morrow at 10 O'Clock In the morning.