The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-10-28
Riddles Letter.

Topeka, Kan, July 7, 1893
DR. Wetmore, Superintendent Insane Asylum
Topeka Kansas
Dear Sir: Much complaint has reached the
ears OF the administration and my own as well
In regard to the management OF the institu-
ton which you superntend
You have apparently without cause dis
charged some OF the best men In the institu-
ton. and in my judgment you have caused US
more trouble and will cause us to lose more
votes by your actions. than the other institu-
tions can work good to US by their careful
management To cap the climax OF your in
efficient management you have discharged Mr..
d. J. Clifford without cause and that while he
wasaway lighting the battles OF the party which
made II possible for you to occupy the position
which you hold
| have long contemplated seeing you or
writing you In regard TO this matter. but as
this IA clearly the governor duty, so far have
restrained But as chairman OF our party, l
now enter my protest against further dismissal
Of the best men you have from the institution,
either with a frivolous excuse or without anr
at all Our loss OF support from the discharge
OF such men as Mr. Clifford at your hands. will
be harder TO overcome In votes than all the
good your institution has ever done for our
party
shall not attempt to take up the cause OF
other parties who have suffered like iniustlces
at your hands, nor do ask you to reiustate
them; but do ask you to relnstate Mr. Clif-
ford, as we cannot as party, anord such mis-
takes as this seems to me to be Yours, for
party success (SlRned)
TAYLOR RIDDLE Chairman.
Following is DIR. Wetmore's reply:
wotmoro's RsuIv.
Topeka, Kan. July Q, 1893
Taylor Riddle:
am in receipt OF yours OF the 9TH inst In
reply have only this to say; II you will at
tend to the duties OF your position. instead OF
N3ta.W D. taaW
are entirely ignorant, you will render more
efficient services to the party and appear less
ridicu Gus than you ever have heretofore.
tSigned) g. II. WErMoRE
But Mr.. Clifford, who was discharged
and who now has Il position in st.
Joseph, Mo, sustains Dr. Wetmore in
all that he says regarding the manage
ment of the asylum, and in the follow
ing sworn statement:
Cnnord's Amdavit
State OF Missouri County OF Buchanan, So
d. j. clifford OF lawful age, being duly sworn,
isposes ana says: | am now a resident OF st.
Joseph, Mo, and have been for several months
past. that ! held the position rs attendant NJ
the Topeka insane asylum from July .. 1897,
until the latter part Of June, 1898 l am dem
ocrat and In 1899 was secretary Of the commit
tee on rules and order of business at the
Hutchinson state convention and assisted in
the formulation OF lht fusion Wulcn SuDSt-
Quentlv resulted in the election Of John
W. Leedy and the fusion ticket l was thrown
actively IN connection with Dr. Wetmore late
superintendent of the asylum, ana have care
fully read his statement In regard to the man
agement OF the Institution for the past year,
and am reluctantly constrained to admit that,
many of the charges IN his letter are substan-
TALLY correct while quite number OF hagrant
abuses ms an outgrow Of misconduct ana ineni-
cheney are unreveuled In his letter During my
incumbsucy as an attendant | observed quite q
number OF instances OF brutality towards the
patients from attendants in different wards
IL was an almost universal topic OF conversation
among the better class OF employees that women
Of uncertain virtue were assigned to positions
Of responsibility and trust, while many in
stances OF untoward conduct on the part of the
lady employees and male attendants were called
to the attention OF Dr, Wetmore the super
intendent of the Institution, but he was pc wer-
less to correct the abuses ON account OF the OBJ
structive tactics OF certain members OF the
state board OF charities who had secured posi-
lions for the aforesaid women OF anomalous and
suspicious character Every conceivable eff
fort was brought into requisition TO con ceal
many OF the shortcomings OF the more favored
attendants who were IN close touch with GER
tain members OF the state board OF charities,
the latter being cognzant Of their personal
dellnquenceS- (signedl ID. j. CLIFFORD.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 18th
day OF October 1883 (Signedl
ROBERT Il. FULLERTON, Notary Public
My term expires May 81, 1900,
Following is Chairman Riddles let
ter to DR.. Wetmore, protesting against
Clifford's discharge.