The Wichita tribune., 1898-10-15

.
state joint is being maintained with
in the walls of the state insane asylum
at the public expense, for the gratifi-
cation of these high and we'll paid
officials. Senator II. e. Jumper, the
well-known president of the board,
has apparently been on one continuous
and protracted debauch for the last Is
months.
"You will probably recall that
President Jumper installed his father
in-law, DIR. Wellman. a doctor with
out diploma, in the position of as
sistant physician in charge OF the pa.
tients at the detached building and
that when it was shown that he was
not fit and proper person for the
service, he was not discharged but was
transferred to the asylum at Osawato-
mie. Even this transfer was not ac-
complished until after repeated pro-
tests by myself. 1t is a well known
fact DR.. Wellman was a street fakir,
dealer in patent medicines and an all
round professional quaciS. In the
opinion of yourself and the board ne
seems to possess the qualifications
necessary to entitle him to care for the
! insane of Kansas.
DIR. Smiths Graft.
''The assistant physician, DR.. D. Fl.
Smith, boasts that while having no
political pull, to use his expression,
you owed him bill of upwards of $50
for services rendered, and that he told
you, I don't want the money; l want
q position" and he received the ap-
fo1I
at Lawrence by an employe of the
asylum, in my presence, on the 1lth
, day of last September. Since then l
am credibly informed that you have
discharged this obligation by a money
: consideration DIR. Smith devotes
much more time in card playing in the
asylum than to the attention of his
duties.
Case of DR.. Scott.
"Upon what ground DR.. t. W. Scott,
assistant superintendent, received his
appointment l have always been un-
able to understand. 1t certainly could
not have been because of his ability to
fill the position, as he is inexcusably
ignorant and illiterate. In conse.
quence of his immoral and indecent
i
able to prevent some of my best lady
employees from resigning their posi-.
tions. His characteristics are too vile
and repulsive for description.
"There are about 500 patients in the
institution. 900 of whom are women.
It is absolutely impossible for me, in
addition to the performance Of my
duty as superintendent, to give per-.
sonal attention to all Of these PATIENTS
and / am compelled to rely largely
upon the physicians who have been
placed here as my assistants. Not
withstanding the abuses that have
negligence and incompetency that
seems to be encouraged in the institu-
ton, have endeavored to do as much
as possible in addition to my other
duties for the relief of the patient is.
Com plants have been made to me that
it has been the practice of DR.. Scott to
invite the young lady employees to his
room for the purpose of being exam
ined for uterine trou bles, he suggest
ing to them that their appearance in
dicated that they needed treatment OF
that character, and those abomina BILE
suggestions have been made to modest
young ladies' OF uTfn peacnable virtue
and reputation. Think of such a man
having charge of 200 demented and de.
fenseless women.
Died o! Neglect.
Another sample of the practice
that is going on at this institution is
the case of patient by the name Of
John Young, from Jewell county, who
for many years had performed service
in the laundry. He was taken serious,
ly i'll on Friday evening and word was
sent to Dr. Scott, who at that time was
relieving Dr.. Smith, that he needed
Immediate attention. The doctor did
not GO. He was notified again Satur-
day and still the doctor did not go.
He was notified on Sunday and still ne
failed to visit him, and on Monday
|. morning the patient was found dead
in his cot knew nothing whatever
Of these circumstances until after the
dead body of the patient was dis
covered, then upon investiga ton
,, learned the above facts This is only
one instance of the many cases o
similar neglect. Or. Smith has otter
:. said that it was better to let the pa
tients die than to prolong their Lives
since they are an expense to the state
L have learned that both Of these phy
sicians have given patients exactly tn
! same prescription without any eS
animation whatever during thei
entire term of Office at the asylum
The average Kansas farmer takes NOR
interest in the welfare Of his stoc|
than do these two men in the patient
committed to their care.
9 Black "a Hard Citizen.
Q "Attornev General Boyle has frien
r bv the name Of Black who came fro1
q Colorado The board of charities q
r the behest OF Mr.. Boyle created tn
t position of assistant steward for him
and Black was appointed although b
> was not then a voter in this stat'
There being no appropriation for hi
salary, he is carried upon the rolls c
an attendant. This man has frequentl
been inca pacitated for the performano
: of any duty whatever by reason of h
drunkenness. In addition to this he
a general disturber and a menace
= the discipline of the institution, an
- there is absolutely no service that 1t
:. necessary for him to perform. Cor
- plants have been made on account {
IL this man, his character, habits an
y general uselessncss, not only to tn
board of charities, but also to Alto
= ney General Boyle and to yoursel
~ Notwithstanding all this he still r.
: tains his position and continues
:. draw his salary.
Lack of Attention
- "Many patients not in the incurabl
- department have frequently con
- planned of gross and inhuman lack {
!. attention and disregard of the commo
re proprieties on the part OF the asslstar
h. physicians mentioned. Many time
:. they would OCCUPY but two or thre