The record-union., 1898-07-21
SHALL IT Be INVESTIGATED?
THE SCANDAL AT THE AGNEWS
ASYLUM.
Commissioners in Lunacy Indulge
In a Warm Debate on
the Subject.

though brief, was exceedingly stormy
secretary of State Brown said he de-
| sired to offer a resolution relating to an
investigation into the affairs of the Ag-
news State Hospital, and the statement
brought Secretary OF the State Board
of Examiners German to his feet with
an explanation
| Mr.. German said he was a member of
the commission by sufferance, and felt
| 1t his duty to act only when questions
of supplies and expenses were under
! consideration. In case of charges
against the management of any of the
hospitals he should decline to act.
Secretary of State Brown intimated
that Mr.. Germans predecessor, John
Markly, had followed a different course.
| DR.. Mathews contended that Mr..
Markly had pursued the same course
as that indicated by Mr.. German.
Then momentary quiet settled down
while Mr.. Browns resolution was being
! read. 1t was as follows:
Resolved, That pursuant to the pow
er invested in this commission by law,
an investigation be held by the mem
bers of this State Commission in Lu-
macy Of the Agnews State Hospital for
the Insane, said investigation to be
iheaeiO Tie ulI0CllOn Oh Cn6 AClOT-
| ney General, according to Section II of
the Act creating this commission; that
the time for commencing said investi-
cation be fixed at the convenience Of
the Attorney General
What information have you that
Agnews needs investigation" inquired
DR.. Mathews
Press accounts and private letters"
| replied Mr.. Brown.
Don't you remember inquired DR..
Mathews. that about a year ago re-
ports were current of a scandal at the
Napa Asylum, fully equal to this Of Ag-
news, and that it passed away in a
short time?'
I'm willing to have the investigation
extend to every hospital in the State"
retorted Mr.. Brown.
''I'd like to know what special virtue
there is in treating Napa differently
than Agnews?" said DR.. Mathews. I'D
like to know if there is any political
reason for it. There must be-
None whatever, sir; none whatever"
replied Mr.. Brown.
IF there's to be an investigation of
one, there ought to be of ALL" continued
DR.. Mathews
"All right; investigate all of them!"
said the Secretary of State.
II don't believe in investigating one
institution because there happens to be
Democrat at it's head said Dr.
Mathews, "and / am satisfied that the
present reports regarding Agnews were
circulated by persons discharged from
the hospital and by disgruntled politi-
clans of San Jose. I would agree to an
investigation of all the hospitals, pro-
vided it was carried on by the full board
and not by committee
Very WE'LL" returned Mr.. Brown, Il
will agree to such an investigation and
will assist in it,
Dr. Hatch, who for several minutes
had been trying to get a hearing, at
this point made himself heard, and Of
/ fered the following as an amendment to
| Secretary Browns resolution:
| Resolved, That meeting Of the
State Commission in Lunacy be called
in San Francisco on Saturday July 23d
! for discussion of the Agnews State
| Hospital for the Insane by the entire
commission"
! Il don't propose to meet in San Fran
cisco with anybody said Mr.. Brown
This is the State Capitol, and the Con-
stitution provides that all State meet
ings must be held here. The resolution
presented by me provides for the in
vestigation at the convenience of the
Attorney General
THAT might not be until after the
election" replied DR.. Mathews, "and
| beside, as there is no getting the Gov
ernor and the Attorney General to come
here, We might adopt the course pur-
sued by Mahomet with the mountain,
and go to them"
Il won't meet in San Francisco" per-
sisted Mr.. Brown. With me it is a
personal matter"
You ought not to allow personal
matters to stand in the way of an in
vestigation," said DR.. Mathews
The question being on DR.. Hatch's
amendment, it was adopted, Mr.. Brown
voting no.
Il won't meet at San Francisco"
said the Secretary Of State, with en-
phasis.
Then you don't want an investiga-
tion," insinuated Dr. Mathews.
Il do' retorted the Secretary of
State. But this is the Capital, and the
law provides that meetings shall be
held here You don't bulldoze met
IF we meet at San Francisco and de-
tails, will you visit them and assist in
| the investigation" inquired DIR. Hatch.
Yes, sir; / WILL" replied Secretary
Brown. You know as well as do that
this commission whitewashed Napa last
year when it's scandal was being aired"
1T wasn't whitewashed by mel" re-
piled DR.. Mathews.
well, it is true that it was white
washed, and you know it!" retorted
| Secretary Brown.
why didn't you try to get report
from Napa at that timer" inquired DR..
| Mathews.
Il did try" replied Mr.. Brown.
You may have tried on the street
corners" said DR.. Mathews, "but you
didn't try before this commission"
i tried to get a report from the asy
| lum," retorted Mr.. Brown, land I tried
| right here, and I appeal to DR.. Hatch
| to substantiate my statement"
| DIR. Hatch sat sphinx like, and Sec
retary Brown continued:
Il don't want to remove man from
the head of the Agnews Asylum be-
cause he Is a Democrat, for if 1t was
done you would appoint another; but
do want man for the place who has
proper qualifications. as described in the
Act creating the position"
| According to the resolution offered
| by you, there is not an eligible Demo-
crat for the position in the State" said
DR.. Mathews. Under your interpreta-
ton Of the law, if the five physicians
| now at the heads Of the hospitals for