The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-10-10

Dr. WetmOre' S Letter.
Topeka, Kan, Oct Z. 1898.
non ); w. Leedy, Governor of Kansas,
Iopeka, Kansas.
Dear Sir: I have this dav transmit
ted to the board of trustees Of the state
charitable institutions nv RESIGNATION
as superintendent of the Topeka insane
asylum to take effect immediately As
you are directly responsible for the ap-
polntment of the mem bers of the board
OF trustees and their MANAGEMENT OF
the charitable institutions of this state
ana as have heretofore frequently
made complaints to you and to the
board relative to the abuses existine, at
the institution under my charge, and
my poWerlessness to correct the same
owing to the lack of support from your
self and the members of the board, I
deem it my duty to give YOU somewhat
an detail the reasons for my resigna-
ton.
have been a practicing physician for
over forty years and for the past
elShteen years have followed my pro-
Iesslon at EmpOria in this state, and I
mink 1 may say without boasting that
L nave not only secured but ALWAYS de-
served the esteem and confidence of my
Ie4loW citizens I feel that I can no
longer do injustice to my feelings and
my sense of humanity and decency by
remaining at the head of an institution
ana bearing the responsibility of its
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT while I remain power
less to correct the evils Of the most flag
rant and Outra geOus character
When assumed the duties of super
1ntendent of the Topeka asylum I did
SO with the full determination to use
my utmost endeaVOrS to protect the IN
fortunate inmates of the institution
from every wrong that might be prac-
tlced upon them by those in whose
charge they were placed, and to give
them such care and attention in their
most unfortunate condition as would
meet with the appreciation of their So
lieitous friends and relatives at home.
Many Wrongs Perpetrated.
After many months fncumben I
nave become cOgnizant of many wrongs
that have been perpetrated on the in
mates of the institution by unscrup-
ulous employees placed there for the
purpose of discharging personal and DO
htlcaI obligations at the expense of the
state, without reference to their pro-
fess1onal capabilities. As YOU are we'll
aware have been for many years in
entire sympathy with the reform move
ment in Kansas and an earnest sup
porter or Ex-Governor LeWeIing and
yourself, yet feel that I can no longer
reconcile myself in this matter in
Justice to myself, to humanity and to
the unfortunate inmates of the asylum
who are deserving of the tenderest care
and the most sympathetic attention I
can no longer bring myself to face
those who rest secure in the faith that
their afflicted friends or relatives have
found a home in an institution where
Kindness, human sympathy, and love
are watchwOrds, when you know, and
the board of charities know and I
know it is all a hollow mOckery.
Protests Ignored
Ny complaints and protests have in
variably been met with the admOnition
that I keep still, lest I incur the dis
pleasure of the rebuked or deposed par
ties and perhaps do an injury to the
party to which I belong. My complaints
as to existing conditions have either
been met with indifference on your part,
or unqualified refusal to remedy them
and you have been for a long time fully
aware that the board of charities not
only countenanced but were active par
Elephants in many iniquitous perform
ances.
State Joint.
Tt is the practice of certain members
of the board, together with the assist
ant superintendent, DR.. T. W. Scott,
and the assistant physician, DR.. d. H.
Smith, to resort to the asylum drug
room for the purpose Of cOnvivial con-
course, and it might be said that a
state Joint is being maintained with
in the walls of the state insane asylum
at the public expense, for the gratifica-
ton of these high and well paid officials.
Senator H G. Jumper, the well known
president Of the board, has apparently
been on one continuous and prOtracted
debauch for the last fifteen months.
You will probably recall that Presi-
dent Jumper installed his father-in-
law, DR.. Wellman. a doctor without a
diploma in the position Of assistant
physician in charge Of the patients at
the detached building and that when it
was shown that he was not a fit and
proper person for the service he was
not discharged but was transferred 20
the asylum at Osawatomie. Even this
transfer was not accomplished until af-
ter repeated protests by myself It is a
well known fact that DR.. WelIman was
a street fakir, a dealer in patent rnedi-
Cines and an all round professional
Quack. In the opinion of yourself and
the board he seems to possess the quail
fficatfOns necessary to entitle him to
care for the insane of Kansas.
DR.. Smiths Graft.
The assistant physician, Dr. d a
Smith, boasts that while having no pO-
litical pull, to use his expression, You
owed him bill of upwards of fifty dol
lars for services rendered. and that he
told you, I don't want the money: I
want a position" and he received the
appointment. This fact was told you at
Lawrence by an employe OF the
asylum, in my presence, on the 18th day
of last September. Since then I am
credibly informed that you have dis
Charged this obligation by a money
consideration. DR.. Smith devOtes much
more time in card playing in the asylum
than to the attention of his duties.
Case of DIR. Scott.
Upon what ground DR.. T. W. Scott.
assistant superintendent, received his