The Wichita tribune., 1898-10-15
Cruelty, Inhumanfty and Deba uchery Reign
-Drunkards and Incompetents Are In
Charge OF the Insane--Street Medicine
Fakir Appointed Physician - Deaths
from NeEiect-DiserAce.ulP Proceedings.

err, Of the state board of charities,
with being on a continual debauch
for the past IS months; openly charges
subordinate officials with attempting
to ruin pure women.
These are only few of the sensa-
tional charges made. Nothing has
come up in Kansas since it's 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 administra ton,
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 rs
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 h is complimented
in the highest terms for efficiency and
integrity. That section will probably
be cut out now. The report will not
be published for a week yet; this will
give the board time to revise it. AS
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.. Wetmores letter to Gov. Leedy
is in full as follows:
DR. Wctmore's Letter.
Topeka, Kan. Oct Z, 1898.
"Hon. j. W. Leedy Governor Of Kan, Topeka,
Kan:
Dear Sir: I have this day trans
nitted to the board of trustees of the
tie CHI rita BILE inStitu tons my reslg:
.,.. ti,n "a superin tendent of the To-
peka insane asylum, to take effect inn
mediately. As you are rectly re-
sponsible for the appointments of the
members of the board of trustees and
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 powerlessness
to correct the same owing to the lack
of support from yourself and the mem
bers of the board. deem il my duty
| to give you somewhat in detail the
reasons for my resignation.
II have been a practicing physician
for over 40 years and for the past Il
years have followed my profession at
Emporia in this state. and l think
NAV say without boasting that l 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 ane
my sense of humanity and decency by
remaining at the head of an institu
ton and bearing the responsibility o
its mismanage ment while l remain
powerless to correct the evils OF the
most fragrant and outrageous char
ncter.
.When assumed the duties of super
lntcndent of the Topeka asylum, di'
so with the full determination to use
my utmost endeavors to protect tn
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 thei
most unfortunate condition as woul'
meet with the appreciation OF thei
soiicitous friends and relatives q
home.
Many Wrongs Perpetrated.
after many months incumbency
have becorse cognizant OF man
wrongs that have been perpetrated 0
the inmates Of the institution by ur
scrupulous employees placed there 10
the purpose of discharging persona
and political obligations at the es
pense of the state, without referene
: to their professional capabilities.
YOU are we'll aware / have been fe
many years in entire sympathy wit
the reform movement in Kansas an
an earnest supporter of Ex-Gov. Lev
elling and yourself, yet l feel that
can no longer reconcile myself, i
this matter in justice to myself
humanity, and to the unfortunate i
mates Of the asylum who are deser
ing of the tenderest care and the mo
sympathetic attention. can +
louger bring myself to face those WI
: rest secure in the faith that the
: afflicted friends or relatives have four
O home in an institution where kin
ness, human sympathy and love a
watch words, when you know, and Il
board of charities know and know
is all hollow moe
. Protests Ignored.
"My complaints and protests have Il
variably been met with the admor
tion that keep still, lest I incur Il
| dispiessure of the rebuked or depost
e parties end perhaps do an injury
: the party to which belong. My COZ
S plants as to existing conditions ha'
either been met with Indifference {
, your part or unqualified refusal to rel
edy them, and you have been for
: long time fully aware that the boar
e of charities not only countenanced b'
!. were active participants in many i
iquitous performances.
: A State Joint.
1T is the practice OF certain mer
4 bers OF the board, together with Il