The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-09-23
THURSDAY, September %, 1897
A HlGH-HANDED OUTRAGE.

me NITLlkll ulSllliSSsil VI NIL ~ 40 w -
iiams. the attendant at the department
Of the criminal insane, by Supt. Smith
In nothing short of a high-handed out.
rage which no respectable Board of Di-
rectors would permit for an instant.
What are the facts? The superintend-
emit of the penitentiary put his incompe-
sent son, DR.. Kirby Smith, in charge of
the criminal insane department newly
organized. His SON proved unworthy and
It is alleged was guilty of conduct, that
Il true. ought to put him i'll the penlten-
fiary as wearer of stripes: \ reporter
Of this paper visited the penitentiary to
investigate the charge. In company with
Superintendent Smith, the reporter called
10 see Mr.. Williams Mr.. Smith said
SNOW. Mr.. Williams, tell Mr.. Merritt all
about this matter of Kirbys CHS son,
DIR. Smith). Tell him all that you know.
/ want him TO know everything" Prior
TO that time no word had passed between
any member OF the staff Of this paper
and Mr. Williams. Ordered by his su-
perior, Mr.. Williams gave the statements
in Superintendent Smiths hearing which
appeared in these columns Tuesday
morning, and they were very damaging
to DR.. Smith. As a result of his making
the statements, as commanded to do by
Superintendent Smith, he was forced
yesterday to resign to escape dismissal
at the hands of the superintendent.
This is no country where men can be
starved because they tell the truth. The
people will not tolerate the spirit that
seeks to deprive an honest man of his
bread and meat because he will not lie
10 shield wrong-doers. The conduct Of
the superintendent toward Mr.. Williams
viii be everywhere denounced by fair
men Instead of helping his son, Super
tendent Smith has injured his case in the
public estimation.
The law creating the department for
the criminal insane was badly drawn. 1t
angft not to have given the penitentiary
authorities anything whatever to do with
chem. 1t is doubtful if it does give them
the authority which they have exercised.
II specifically gives their lease and treat
ment" to the head physician of the in
zane asylum located at Raleigh In our
Judgment, he has the authority to say
who shall have the care" of the crimi-
nal insane. 1t is certain that the power
has been abused in its present hands.
The enforced resignation of Mr.. Will
Iians proves that the superintendent of
the penitentiary is not fit man to ex-
ercise it, Able lawyers say that Dr.
Kirby has the power to say who shall
scare for the criminal insane. If this
De true, and we think it is without doubt,
Il is the duty of DR.. Kirby to lose not a
minute in re-instating Mr.. Williams to
the position he held, and to take full
charge and control, both of the 'care and
treatment of the criminal insane to the
same extent he does OF the insane con-
fined in the Central Hospital.
1t is a shame that penitentiary super
intendent can put an incompetent, if not
corrupt, son in charge of these unfortu-
mates, and then can force trained and
efficient attendant to give up his place
because he refuses to be muzzled.
DR.. Kirby should have the necessary
authority to prevent this, and in view OF
these occurrences such authority should
be exercised without delay. The people
will look to him to protect these unfortu
mates who are bereft Of reason.
DR.. Kirby, it seems to us, should a
least lose no time in getting his power
sharply defined against crises such a
this, and should he find that he is nov
without power adequately to meet thi
vicious insolence of office, he shout,
wash his hands of the whole business.