The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1894-08-31
Gutter-Soipe journalism.


Again the readers of the republican
press are RECALLED with loathsome con.
coctions made ont of whole cloth and
intended to cast odium upon the ad-
minis,ration of Governor Lewelllng.
This time batch of filth emanates
from the Winfield Courier, paper that
has lent itself to the lowest and most.
indecent sort o. journalism. The
Winfield Courier devotes>a page in its :
last weeks issue to re-vampng the
disposed charges of cruel and inhuman
practices against DR.. Pitcher, superin-
of the asylum for imbecile youths at
Winfield. The CoMier's attack on DE-.
Pitcher is principally made up of an
interview with one DR.. Wiles, who was
last in charge of the Winfield asylum
preceding DR.. Pitcher. The animus of
both the Courier and DR.. Wlles is
plainly written in every line of the IN
terview--bOth being maliciously en-
gagged in traducing the character OF
DIR. Pitcher and willfully slandering
the administration. The stuff callesl
evidence, produced by the Courier is of
such weak and contradictory nature
as to provoke derision on the part of
| all who read it. For example, we
here produce two questions and DR..
! Wlles's answer thereto:
Reporter: allow did you treat
patients for this addiction ?"
DIR. Wiles: "As soon as found out
they were addicted to the habit L had
them placed in charge OF attendants
with instructions that the attendant
should watch them constantly. After
this l had no more trouble with one Of
the boys. but with the other found it
necessary to improvise what called a
straight jacket: but which was, in
reality, a sort of canvas bag with arms
which were buckled together during
the night. After this had no further
trouble with either OF them. OF course
the inclination remained and was ex-
Lnblted at every opportunity, but the
attendant was always present to-
repreSs it and tie results were entirely
satisfactory. The other three boys
gave me no trout lie in thus line. OF
course l had them under constant sur
veiiance, and, as many of the INN ates
OF this tnsutution, being weak-minded,
are liable. upon any amt every ccasiOn
:o.give full play TO their inclinatIOns.it 1t
was necessary and part of my duties
to see that they were looked after pro-
perly and that these inclinatiOns were
repreSsed and their exercise prohibited.
Reporter. During your Superin-
tendency, did yor. at any time. find It
Impossible to prevent these practices ?"
DIR. Wiles: mo. sir"
Of course the Topeka Capital, the
chief of the smut-mill brigade, repro
duces the Co,nier's loathsome recital
with zest, and then adds:
Eleven boys were subjected to the
knife. helpless fellows placed by their
parents in the charge of the state for
/ tender care and support were thrown
on Il table and treated by the reform
superintendent us the farmer treats hts
hogs in the spring of the year.
When these charges of cruelty were
first brought out against DIR. Pitcher,
the Press obtained the statement of
the three reputable physicians WHO
aided DR.. Pitcher in performing tile
surgical operations, airlsas a complete
answer to the libelous charges of these
gutter-snipe papers, and as complete
vindloation of DR.. Pitcher himself, we
here reproduce the joint statement Of
these physicians and remark i'm cOnnec-
tion Herewith that two Of these gem
tlemen ars prominent republicans and
one an ex-member of tile state board
of health.
WINFIELD, Kansas. Julv's8th, 1894.
We, the undersigned. are physicians
and surgeons engaged in the practice
of medicine and surgery at Winfield,
Kansas. We We're called in consuIla-
ton upon Iour different occasions By
DIR. Pitcher. superintendent of the
Asylum for ldiOtic and Imbecila
Youth. located in this city. We exam
ined as TO the condition of a number
OF inmates who were so afflicted as ic
our Judgment to make surgical opera.
} tions necessary. We advised the max
ing OF such operations, and every on
of them. and assisted in the same. and
we believe eSuch operations were neces
sdry ana proper IN every respect, ansi
that the Inmates upon whom THE -epsr-
j ations were performed received proper
treatinedf, aud the best attention that
could lie given them in connection
with their unfortunate condition..
We are ready to give full and detail
, ed statements rs to everything that
occurred. and desire to- state tfTat Pr.
Pitcher called upon us on each occa sion
and that ut the time of each of said
, operations we we're present at his re-
quest ana assisted in performing the m
and tilat they were properly perfOrme
and according to the rules and pracd
tlces OF surgery in that respect, AMI
, that due care and precal,tion was used
80 as TO produce as little pain and suf-
t feiing H. possible to the unfortsn rte
inmates thus afflicted; that in our.
opinion there is no ground for any
: charge of improper conduct on the
/, part OF DIR. Pitcher towards any of tlfe
= lnmates referred to.
(sIGNED)
5 GEORG G EMMERsoN. Md,
Winfield. ka siiS.
r. Al. PICKENs, NJ. d.,
Winfield, Kansas
III. ID. Go ,pef. NJ d..
: D-xter, kansas.
TIE slightest attention possible WIS
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