Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-04-16
COOMBS' FRIENDS GIVE HIM A GER
TIFICATE OF CHARACTER,
THEY STAND BY HIM LOYALTY
ACCUSED ADMITS THE PURCHASE OF
BARRELS OF WHISKY.
An Effort Will BE Made to Negative
the Charge of Immornlity Made
by Mrs. Ada Sanders-Ex-
tortfon Accusation
Ignored.

FULTON, MO. April 15.-CSpecial.) At
the hearing of the See investigating COM
mittee to-day, the defense introduced tes-
timony that showed conclusively the nature
of the points that Dr. Coombs will attempt
10 prove. From the statements made by
the friends of the accused who took the
stand, it was shown that four lines of de-
fense would be attempted. 1t was appar-
ent that an effort will be made TO show
that the management of the institution
has been excellent; by negative testimony
that Dr. Coombs is not constant drinker;
that the witnesses who testified to the
charges of immortality were not reliab and
that the accused is being prosecuted ma
liciously.
About twenty witnesses swore to-day that
they had never seen DR.. Coombs drunk,
but no testimony was introduced to i'm
peach the statements made by the wit
nesses who declared that DR.. CoombS was
frequently intoxicated. The negative tes-
timony had little weight with the commit
tee, and it seems certain that the defense
will resort to this kind of testimony alone
to defend him from this charge.
The witness who testified to the immoral
conduct of the accused was Mrs. Sanders
and it is thought that an effort will be
mdue OH A1OUuds ~ liupcdSh ASi tcsti-
mony.
1t seems a foregone conclusion that the
charge of mismanagement of the institu-
tion will not be sustained. As the defense
occupied the greater part Of time to-day,
1t was thought that some effort would be
made to Offset the testimony heard yester-
day that the ring of the governor had used
the asylum as a tool to advance political
schemes. That funds. for political pur-
poses were extorted from employees was
clearly shown, but no attempt was made
by the defense to refute it.
Another witness. Chief Engineer Leach.
of the asylum said to-day that he. had con-
tributed to the funds used by the Demo-
crats. From the evidence heard so far, it
is thought that the committee will find
DR.. Coombs guilty of the charge of drunk
enness and possibly of immortality. But
1t is not believed that he will be found
guilty of msmanagement. All of the physi-
clans at the institution have sworn that
the accused has been frequently intoxicat-
ed. Up to this point but one witness has
testified that DIR. Coombs was guilty of
immoral conduct. and as this point has not
been investigated thoroughly, it is diff
cult to forecast the finding of the commit
tee on this charge.
General Assembly Must Remove.
IN case TIE pOdtu icpOitS duhCiSciS "
DIR. Coombs there seems but one way to
remove him, and that is by the action of
the general assembly. His removal can be
effected by striking his salary from the ap-
propriation bill. This measure is now up
for consideration. If it is passed before
the final report of the See committee, 1t
is not likely that DR.. Coombs will be mo-
maT be fSund suIty whie te members
of the committee have worked harmonious
ly. as each day passes, there seems to be
agreementsso certain points, particular
ly over the testimony involving the solicit
tation of Democratic campaign funds. The
Democrats have discussed the advisability
OF having' this testimony stricken out. -a
Says Coombs Is Perxecuted.
w. NJ. Adcock, bookkeeper for the asylum,
and secretary Of the board of managers.
was the first witness called this morning.
He said that ne had known DR.. Coombs
since his appointment as superintendent
and had never seen him Intoxicated. The
witness told the board that in his opinion
there were number OF persons who We're
prosecuting Dr. coombs for political rea-
J. R. Penn said that he had seen Dr.
Coombs when he appeared to be intoxi-
Gated. ss--
was concerned. ]. n. Dutton said that he
had never been connected with the asylum
hut knew that the management under DR..
admitted that he had sold the asylum
furniture and caskets for several years.
j. l.. -Maughs testified that he had never
seen Dr. Coombs intoxicated and thought
that he was being prosecuted by allopaths.
goldbugs and Republicans.
DIR. Green Mccall, an allopathic physi-
clan. testified that the management of the
asylum had been good but that he had
seen DR.. Coombs when it was apparent
that he had been drinking. The witness
. praised Dr. Coombs' administration. In
reply to a question by Mr.. Hall, the witness
stated that he held a position at the state
deaf and dumb asylum.
j: Roy Tucker, a clothing merchant of
Fulton, said that DR.. Coombs had improved
the asylum. in appearance and management.
dent that he had been drinking.
Robert Rogers, merchant of Fulton.
said that he thought there was an element
in Fulton who did all that was possible
lum. The witness stated that he sold gro
ceries to the asylum, and replying to ques-
lions by Mr.. Hall. said that some of the
opposition TO DR.. Coombs was prompted by
tfe merchants who do not receive any of
the asylum contracts.
DIR. Coonlbs produced the books of the
asylum and showed that since his connec-
tion with the asylum but four barrels of
whisky had been purchased.
He'll Has Seen Him Intoxicated.
Adjutant General Bell said that he had
never seen the accused drunk, but had
seen him slightly intoxicated. General Bell
said that the management OF the asylum
had been good. He regarded the increase
in the number of patients due to the in
crease in insanity and not 10 the present
management.
Frank Peters a former county Judge Of
Galloway county. said that he had never
seen DR.. Coombs in an intoxicated condi-
ton.
Daniel NJ. Tucker testified that he had
known every superintendent of the asylum