Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1898-10-27

or KANSAS.
II has been demonstrated during the
past week that big mistake was
made In the appointment OF the super
,lntendent OF the Topeka asylum. DIR,
Wetmore was selected by the board In
The belief that no was well fitted for
the place 1t was not long after no as
Eumed charge Of the institution until
II became apparent that he was too
old for tho place, lie was cross and
peevlsh, Instead OF being pleasant
with mis- employees and aiding in main-
tanning harmonious relation among
them, he took the most unwse md In
Iudiclous step, tending to promote dis
cord and dlssension.
The Board OF Charities made up OF
men in the prime OF life, tolerated this
embarrassing condition more out OF re-
spect for his age than for amy other
cnusos. The members eSerted them
selves TO the greatest possible extent
In an effort to get along with him, and
keep the institution In good condition,
II became apparent that there was no
possibility Of properly handling the in
stitution under his management and
the Board was about TO discharge him
Rt the next regular meeting
In some way information Of the con-
tcmplated action reached DR. Wet
more's ears and he Immediately tend
cred his resignation, accompanied by n
long statement in which no vigorous
ly assailed the character and integrity
of the Board and certain employees OF
the institution. This resignation was
given exclusively to Republican pa'
pers, and his action was not known to
any one until the papers were on sale
on the street
The motives which promoted this ac-
tion are not known, but Dr. Scott, one
Of the asylum employees, together with
several OF the other employees, swear
that Dr. Wetmore told them several
months ago that, in tho event of the
nomination OF Major Hood Of Emporia,
for governor on the Republican ticket,
ho would hold his job II he was elected
and he would make just this sort OF nm
"exposo" just before election, lie also
stated that he would get $1,000 out Of
the deal. 1t is possible thut tho nomi-
nation Of Stanley did not change con-
ditions, nor Wetmore's intentions
That the action Of DR.. Wotmore was
taken at the instance OF Republicans
is not doubted by people ut the capital
who are informed with regard to state
affairs. That he is so old that he has
passed tho point when he Is able TO
properly care for big institution like
the Topeka asylum is also apparent to
every one who is at all acquainted
with the operation of the institution
under his management. The men who
are criticised by DR., Wetmore are men
who he has frequently compIimented
for their good work. In his report
which was recently delivered TO the
board, he not only highly compliment
sd its mem ers, but also the employees
Of the institution. These employees are
Ill regarded by the Board of Charities
rs competent to fill their positions, and
Ill have borne Il high reputation in
their home counties prior to their APP
pointment. Most people regard u
statement of this sort, given on the
i've Of election with u great deal Of
suspicion.
lis very natural that they should
Ask why this statement which accom-
panied the resignation, should have
been reserved until this late date,
when the things charged, If true, must
have been known months before Com
ing as it does, on the eve of his dis
charge and Of the election be given
reasonable weight, or the consdera-
lion that would be given the allega-
lions of "a fair minded man, who was
uninAuenccd by such circumstances.
In this connection it may be proper
ly stated that the whole hope of vic
tory on the part of the Republican
managers, rests on the use of such sen.
sational surprises, with the expecta-
ton that Populist voters may be STAN
peded
TAYLOR RIDDLE,
Chairman.