New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-04
ATTACK ON DR.. BACKUS.
SENATOR RAINES SPECIFIES CHARGES
AGAINST FORMER MANAGER
OF LONG ISLAND STATE
HOSPITAL


Albany April 3-Senator John Raines in the
Senate this afternoon made serious charges against
Dr. Truman j. Baekus. former manager of the
Long Island State Hospital. He question
of high privilege affecting the management of a
State institution and said:
1 do not do this without careful consideration Of
state board appointed by the Governor and con-
frmed by the Senate by formal resolutions attacks
to he MERITS of h and
which justify the action complained of should be
About two months since the term of office of
Island State Hospital expired He mad occupied
an s pc m OF r1ss s aTe Sn
this In reality, for, by reason OF his activity IN the
part of his associates. with possibly exception
he had become in fact the 3 me In speak
Gommissiqn said as reported in The NewY9rk
some years president He was very active man
Der of the Board The i purposes Of this activity
day t be 6 bs 1t by IN
pr Wise as to the activity Of Dr. Backus and in,
other members Of the Board that slas B. butcher
re his position as maze IN Of
the Board, possible. Mr. butcher had great con-
he knew what the office of manager required. He
was was not satisfied with his own work on the B9ard
February I; made statement which many officials
ponder with pr4t "A PLACE on 10 the n Soa ah
duties OF his Office II there is any class of de-
to look after them It is Certainly the insane the
unfortunates who have lost their minds Il, have
place REQUIRED. and am one Of those who believe
tn be done he oug6 to let ane
place. That Is one Of the reasons that resigned
are there who appreeatng the need Of Of
saH 10 men to G1k afeg he
selves frankly state, as has Mr. butcher, that
that the place required and hand their resigna
lions to the Governor and permit others TO- be
the duties that belong to the office?
NEGLECT OF DUTY.
It possible that the confidence the managefs
Dr. III Trum man J. Backus may be pleaded by them
the warrant for their neglect Of duty and for the fs
one Of which reads as follows: ..o...
its own each one Of DR.. Baekuss offical actions;
that it gratefully thanks him for the time and
its debe G and for the admirable and
Ing out Of its @ Gnfa and it respeeu
quests him to meet with the Board and assist it
referred to his special supervision ,, =. 49,.
It w be h95 BY the and m Gf 5R5
each one of DR., Backuss official actions | pre-
the restitution that the Board would not
It Sadf ar or the s DR.
that these gentlemen had kept silent that they had
that they had not attempted to clothe him with
bs re Of 70 that b @ hsd Sr
the action he has taken. and insult him by their
peace His career as a manager of a State hospital
had ended. But these gentlemen force into public
mis- action
CHARGES STATED.
will state them in part. though it is not usual
Of e%dence OF on wRe Of
may be sustained, yet in this case deem It proper
Easily Be Be- d ha5 "A''a"'s0 '"e' may the '
FirstNThat DR. Backus interposed to DELAY and
prevent the carrying out of suggestions Of reforms
sasd smPioyss q he jastitgton into pers2Psai
charge is based on statements of officials and let
general Superintendent Of the hospital for his per
fnds and sgGst he of the Luaey
mot fitted for the place whose pn1aess he and
admitted: but who is yet retained at the head Of
ne IF onde h is sd he The os sa Of
Managers and the results Of an investigation made
rhrd-That he has caused to be paid by the
State expenses which. made by him. ard solely
not not such as were for the benefit Of the state
in Part on he fact that Dr Bac charered
y pfc to ne r ae ospa a ng n ts to
or OR more pupils and others Of the Packer Institute
for SO was to pay for this train In addition the
State furnished carriages to the picnic grounds,
furnished tables, chairs, walters and papers and
m the hGp no at an
ing the stOppage of the farm work
Of contrasts 70 personal friends without ADVERTISE
ment without competition and without the a,i-
thority Of the Board of Managers and contrary
to law: This charge rests on records of the Board
evidence and the statements Of reliable persons
FOR Personal USES
Fifth-That he has used for his personal pur-
poses, or for institutions with which he was con-
nected stores from the State Hospital This
ptal which show purchases by DR. Backus among
other things being the purchase within short
time OF us pounds of this in view of all the
cot6itiors could hardly have been for his personal
use submit that even if the purchases were or
are to be paid for honorable gentlemen cannot in
dorse such transactions by a manager.
SiXth-That he has sold property Of his own to the
state Hospital OF which he was a manager This
Is criminal. and all the circumstances surrounding
meant that the transaction should he covered and
so knew the character of it. This charge is based
pital the written statements of Mr. Backus and
those Of responsible persons. They show that on
June 80 1898 there was recorded in the clerks
to Truman J. Backus. This is a fruit farm on
Keuka Lake. Truman J. Backus leased this place
on shares to one John Grady, who worked 1t Under
Backus sold to the hospital about thirty thousand
pounds OF grapes from the vineyard such farm
behalf Of neighbor of his. John Grady
Nov if the Board of Managers wish to adhere
20 dnep resolution OF condemnation of the Gov
grhor ana TO make the acts official" of
Truman ]. Backus their own. thew can do so and
If 1t Is desired an Investigation can be made which
would result. believe. in unrnaskng fraud and
in the full justification of the act OF the Governor
in not reappointing Mr.. Backus a manager of
the Long Island State Hospital.
SAYS THERE SHOULD BE INVESTIGATION
DIR. BACKUs DECLARES IF SENATOR RA1NEs's