People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1898-10-27
WETMOai Vs.WETM0aE
The EX- Superintendent Convicted Out
of His Own Mouth.

His Annual Report Is a Complete De-
Tense to All the Charge He Now Makes
Against the Administration and Makes
His Alleged Expose Fizzle.
A few days ago Superintendent
Wetmore of the Topeka Insane Asy-
lum fired in his resignation and gave
out TO the Republican papers a three
column interview telling horrible
tales OF mismanagement at the in
stitution. Subordinate officials at
the Asylum have since made affidav-
it that he had told them that il
Hood was nominated for Governor
he (Wetmore) could get $4,000 for
getting out a campaign document OF
that kind. This leads to the natural
inquiry as to whether conditions
changed any when Stanley was NOM
mated and confirms the general
opinion that the interview was
prompted and paid for by the Re.
publican state committee.
Members OF the state Board of
Charities say that Wetmore lacked
executive ability and that he made
constant trouble among his subor.
dinates. At their last meeting Wet
more came to them and asked for a
promise that he would he retained
in his position two years longer.
This the board declined to do. As q
matter OF fact the board had decided
to dispense with WetmOre's services
at their next meeting. WetmOre
possibly had an inkling OF this and
this dOubtle z had something to do
with his hasty exit.
Uniortunely for Wetmore's veraci-
ty is the fact that his annual report
for the two years ending June 30
1898 was in the hands OF the state
printer when his wonderful expose
was given to the Republican papers.
1t has now been printed and tells a
wonderfully different tale. On page
OF the report WetmOre says:
"The health OF our population
during this period has been uni
formly good, no epidemic disease
having occurred among the in
mates OF the institution. Mala-
rial diseases, in a very mild form,
have occasionally occurred, but
have always been easily con-
trolled. All deaths that have oc-
Cured in this institution during
the biennial period have resulted
from diseases consequent upon
chronic insanity or from extreme
age, with but one or two eXcep-
tions. which were suicides.
The facilities for the care and
treatment of the inmates of this
Asylum, both medical and surgi-
cal. perhaps cannot be surpassed
in any institution in the state,
there being a consulting medical
staff OF specialists, officially APP
pointed by the Trustees, and
composed of thefollowing gentle
men. all residents OF the city of
Topeka, the high professional
character OF whom secures to the
patients of this institution the
benefit OF the most progressive
and skilful treatment, both medi-
cal and surgical, whenever their
counsel is required: S. L. Sheldon,
NJ. a., gynecOlogist: J. C. McClin-
took. NJ. D., surgeon; s. 6. Stew.
art, NJ. D., physician; W. s. Lind
say, NJ. d., neurOlOgist; }. L. Min
ney, NJ. d., ophthalmologist; j.
l.. Gilbert, NJ. d., pathOlOgist."
Again on page 9 in closing his re
port he says:
81 am happy to have the oppor-
tunity to acknowledge my graft
tude and appreciation for thecOr-
dial support and encouragement
given me by your honorable
Board In the discharge OF the du-
ties connected with my position.
also desire to express my appre-
citation OF the very efficient assist
ance have received from officers
in the institution. | take great
pleasure in stating that the en-
ployees OF the institution have
generally discharged the duties
that were assigned them in a
creditable and satisfactory man.
ner; that their conduct has been
uniformly reputable and praise
worthy"
We do not think any stronger evi
dence il needed than this. Wetmor
impeaches himself. His report /
corroberated by all those connecte,
with the institution and his ALLEGED
expose has fallen fiat as it deserves
It'sonly effect will be to gain DR.. Wet
more the contempt of the people @
Kansas and make the fusion force
more determined to punish the par
; ty that fathers such campaig
, thunder.-Kdnsds Democrat.