Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-10-13

Dr.. G. H. Wetmore rendered his
resignation a. superintendent Of the
state insane asylum at Topeka to Gov.
Leedy and the state board OF charities
last Saturday. Accompanying the
resignation was letter TO the govern.
or in which DR.. Wetmore gave his rea-
sons for resigning. The letter tells
IN astounding story Of cruelty, inhu-
manity and debauchery at the institu-
ton under the present populist man
sgement The doctor tells Of the
death Of patients from neglect; speaks
Of the drunkards and incompetenta
placed over the unfortunate inmates;
charges that state joint exists at the
asylum; accuses Chairman H. G. Jump.
or, Of the state board Of charities,
with being on q continual debauch
for the past is months; openly charges
subordinate officials with attempting
to ruin pure women.
These are only q few Of the sensa-
tional charges made. Nothing has
come up in Kansas since its organiza.
tion as state that equals the horri-
BILE story. Dr. Wetmore declares he
stands ready to prove every charge,
and says he can prove even more.
DR.. Wetmore is an old line reformer.
he entered the populist party many
years ago because he thought it stood
for reform He was appointed super.
intendent OF the Osawatomie asylum
under the Lewelling administration,
but did not get the place, because the
supreme court held that the old super.
intendent was entitled to hold the
position under the tenure act. When
Gov Leedy took charge, he had the
state board of charities give DR.. Wet.
more the superintendency of the
Topeka insane asylum.
That DR.. Wetmore was regarded as
fully competent to fill that position Is
evidenced by the tribute paid him by
the board of charities in its ann ual re-
port, which is now in the state print.
er's hands. In that he Is complimented
In the highest terms for efficiency and
integrity. That section will probably
be cut out now. The report will moi
be published for week yet; this will
givs the board time TO revise IT. Al
additional evidence Of his competency
Taylor Riddle, chairman Of the popu.
list state committee, only last Friday
gave out an interview in which he
said that "all OF the state institutions
are in the hands Of competent men and
In better condition to-day than since
they were founded"
Dr.. Wetmore's letter to Gov. Leedy
IL In full as follows:
DP. WetmOre's Letter.
Topeka, Kan, Oct 7, 1893
"Hon. J. w. Leedy, Governor Of Kan, Topeka
Kan:
Dear Sir: l have this day trans
mitted to the board Of trustees Of the
state charitable institutions my resig
nation as superin tendent Of the To
peka insane asylum, to take effect i'm
mediately. As yon are directly re
sponsible for the appointment Of thu
members Of the board Of trustees ant
their management Of the charitable
institutions Of this state, and as have
heretofore frequently made complaints
TO you and to the board relative to the
abuses existing at the institution un
der my charge, and my powerlessnes'
to correct the same owing to the lack
OF support from yourself and the mem
bers Of the board, deem 1t my duty
to give you somewhat in detail thu
reasons for my resignation.
u have been practicing physician
for over 40 years and for the past II
years have followed my profession at
Emporia in this state, and l think
may say without boasting that have
not only secured but always deserved
the esteem and confidence OF my fel
low citizens l feel that | can nc
longer do injustice to my feelings ant
my sense OF humanity and decency by
remaining at the head Of an institu
tion and bearing the responsibility o
Its Encouragement while | remair
powerless to correct the evils Of the
most fragrant and outrageous char
acter.
when | assumed the duties Of super
intendent of the Topeka asylum. / die
so with the full determination to use
my utmost endeavors to protect thu
unfortunate inmates Of the institution
from every wrong that might be prac
ticed upon them BY those in who's
charge they were placed, and to Civ
them such care and attention in theil
most unfortunate condition as would
meet with the appreciation Of thei
solicitous friends and relatives a,
home.
Many Wrongs Perpstrated.
"After many months incumbency
have become cognizant Of manl
wrongs that have been perpetrated OF
the inmstes Of the institution BY un
scrupulous employees placed there TO-
the purpose Of discharainR persona