The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-10-14


from Negieot-DisgracefuI Proceedings.
DIR. G. IL. Wetmore rendered his
resignation as uperintendent of the
state insane asylum at Topeka to Gov.
Leedy and the state board OF charities
last Saturday. Accompanying the
resignation was letter to the govern
or in which DIR. Wetmore gave his rea-
sons for resigning. The letter tells
an astounding story of cruelty, inhu-
manity and debauchery at the institu-
ton under the present populist man
agement. The doctor tells of the
death of patients from neglect; speaks
of the drunkards and incompetents
placed over the unfortunate inmates;
charges that a state joint exists at the
asylum; accuses Chairman II. G. Jump
er, of the state board of charities,
with being on Il continual debauch
for the past is months; openly charges
subordinate officials with attempting
to ruin pure women.
These are only a few of the sensa-
tional charges made. Nothing has
come up in Kansas since its organiza-
ton as a state that equals the horri-
BILE story. DIR. Wetmore declares he
stands ready to prove every charge,
and says he can prove even more.
DIR. Wetmore is an old line reformer.
He entered the populist party many
years ago because he thought 1t stood
for reform. He was appointed super
intendent of the Osawatomie asylum
under the Lewelling administration,
hat ak n NgNNs at la ala ha
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 DIR. Wet
more the superintendency of the
Topeka insane asylum.
That DIR. Wetmore was regarded as
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 he 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 The report will not
be published for week yet; this will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 compe tent men and
in better condition to-day than since
they were founded"
DIR. Wetmore's letter TO Gov. Leedy
Is in full as follows:
Dr. wetmore's Letter.
Topeka, Kan, Oct. 7, 1898.
"Hon J. w. Leedy, Governor of Kan, Topeka
Kan:
Dear Sir: have this day trans
mitted to the board OF trustees OF the
state charitable institute ons my resig.
nation as superintendent of the To-
peka insane asylum, to take effect inn
mediately. AS you are directly re-
sponsible for the appointment 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
beers of the board. | deem it my duty
to give you somewhat in detail the
reasons for my resignation.
81 have been practicing physician
for over 80 years and for the past IS
years have followed my profession at
Emporia in this state, and | think
may say without boasting that have
not only secured but always deserved
the esteem and confidence of my fel.
low citizens. feel that | can no
longer do injustice to my feelings and
my sense of humanity aud decency by
remaining at the head OF an institu-
ton and bearing the responsibility of
its mismanage mcnt while | remain
powerless to correct the evils of the
most fragrant and outrageous char
acter.
when assumed the duties of super
intendent of the Topeka asylum, l did
SO with the full determination TO use
my utmost endeavors to protect the
unfortunate inmates of the institution
from every wrong that might be prac-
ticed upon them by those in whose
charge they We're placed, and to give
them such care and attention in their
most unfortunate condition as would
meet with the appreciation of their
solicitous friends and relatives at
home.
Many Wrongs Perpetratsd.
"After many months incumbency l
have become cognizant of many
wrongs that have been perpetrated on
the inmates OF the institution by I'M
scrupulous employees placed there for
the purpose of discharging personal
and political obligations at the ex-
pense OF the state, without reference
to their professional capabilities, AS
you are we'll aware | have been for
many years in entire sympathy with
the reform movement in Kansas and
an earnest supporter of Ex-Gov. Lew
elling and yourself, yet feel that
can no longer reconcile myself, in
this matter in justice to myself to
humanity, and to the unfortunate in
mates of the asylum who are deserv-
ing of the tenderest care and the most
sympathetic attention. can no