New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-14
THE LUNACY COMMISSION.
A PROTEST AGAINST INDEFINITE ATTACKS
ON GOODWIN BROWN.

A PROTEST AGAINST INDEFINITE ATTACKS
ON GOODWIN BROWN.
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Your dispatch from Albany this morning says
that the Governor has decided TO appoint MI W. q.
Osborn Commissioner in Lunacy, and that Mr. os-
born's candidacy is supported by ex-Judge Henry
f. Rowland and Miss Louisa Lee Schuyler. This |
think must be an error. Mr.. Rowland has re-
peatedly declared that he was not opposed TO the
reappointment of Commissioner Brown and was
taking no part in the campaign against him. Mr.
Browns friends have full confidence In Mr.. How
lands straightforward character and know 1t Is
not possible that he has secretly aided this move
ment for which he has professed no sympathy
Your correspondent Is perfectly correct concerning
Miss Schuylers part in the matter. Persons fami-
lar with this attempt to dcplace an officer sup
ported by experts from all parts Of the state
understand fully the causeof this opposition Some
time ago this estimabe charity-worker proposed an
impossible scheme for quartering insane people In
private families, and Commissioner Brown CURLY,
perhaps contemptuously squelched It, Mr.. Brown
lacks polish and is probably open to censure Tor
his lack OF courtesy in this case. but 1t does not
seem as If an important question Of State policy
should be made 10 turn on an intrigue 10 soothe
anybody's feelings.
What the State wants Is a Lunacy Commissioner
who knows his business. even II he Is not a social
favorte. Mr.. Brown does know his business, as Is
testified by the officers OF State hospitals who
favor him and the contractors who oppose him.
Governor Roosevelt himself has told Mr. Brown
that he had been IAN excellent officer" III that
is the Governors opinion it is little strange that
he should refuse to continue him in office because
of social pressure from New-York City, and at
tempt to put In his place person who. however
amiable honorable and cultivated. has had no
experience with the problems Of insanity admins
tratlon or OF the wiIes OF contractors.
do not mean TO argue that Mr.. Brown under
any construction OF the civil service reform idea
had a right 10 reappointment II the Governor
thinks a new man more desirable But do say
Il Is an outrage on Il man whom the Governor HIM
self declares to be IAN excellent officer 10 turn
him down on the pretence OF charges which ne Is
not allowed to meet. while letting 1t be UNDERSTOOD
that but for this indefinite unftness he would Dc
reapponted. The State Charities Aid Association
publishes an attack upon Mr. Brown Of this In
definite nature and the Governor gives II out as
ton OF his action. The most the assoeia-
ton can say Is that he does not possess the quail
ties OF character. ability, legal knowledge
training and tact necessary for the proper
discharge OF the duties or the place an
opinion which must be regarded in the light OF
Miss Schuyler's known personal grievance ana
which is contradcted by the Governor himself ana
the expressions of the managers and oncers Oh
various State hospitals. The testimony OF Alex
ander f. Orr. who Is an active. hard-worKhs nos
pitaI manager Is doubtless as good as that OF vari
Schurz who is a member OF the Board OF Mi5S
Schuyler's society, and probably OBTAINS kho"'-
edge of the insane department at sesohd, nnmn ara
This society saws its objections 10 MT Brown az
mot such as could be specified in formal charge;
But I will give a specimen charge which Is neins
circulated bv It's supporters here as an eNaInpieol
the acknowledgement OF Commssoner Bowl ~ 70 -
s"ld Thai he buys coffee In Utica for all the STATE
hospitals, and the Manhattan Hospital i not at
Vowed 10 buy here In the cheapest and best mar
n"s p"vine coffee up in Utica: There must be
lob in It. Let us see As matter OF fact me
coffee is bought in New-York city and is sent 10
ITtica where the old State Hospital there mas
roasting plant sufficient for all the hospitals ano
,her. N Is roasted b. patients instead OF paSihs
tradesmen to do the work, and Is sent OUT ~ T,
,iebt M ckages 10 the different hospitals. Wnat
scrandau Yet this Is OF the serious accusations
made against Mr.. Brown by persons here VINO pre-
tend 10 have an elementary acquaintance Win tho
care of the insane -, =, .,,, fault-
Nnding which make the fabric OF these oDJr.
lions which cannot be formulated Are me PEI
sons who naliceusy or ignoyanty circulate mem
who privately try TO poison the mind OF thc oos 10y,
ernor with them entitled TO any consideration uy
ths Governor when deciding whether or not 70 Is
appoint q man who ne himself says 10 Do An -