The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-12-22
President Of Lunacy CommS-
sion Oepossd by Governor.
cENsURE FOR THE PHYSICIAN.
Guilty Of Using His Position for Personal
GiIn--Dr. Wise Denies Charges and
Alleges Conspiracy.

Albany n. Y, Dec. Ex-Governor Roose-
yeit has announced that he has dis
missed from office DIR. Peter M. Wise,
president of the state lunacy commis-
sion, on the charges preferred of NAL
feasance In office. The governor sets
forth these reasons for Dr. Wise's re-
moval:
I'm making this removal consider
nothing but the statements and admis-
sions of DIR. Wise himself as made In his
testimony taken before me December 10
and IL instant, and submitted in the form
OF exhibit at the hearing on the charges
December 20, leo0 The accuracy OF this
testimony was acknowledged by DIR.
Nise's counsel
"Dr. Wise was guilty OF gross impro-
prlety in directly or indirectly, by suR-
gestlon or otherwise. soliciting subscrip-
ton to the Copper Hill Mining company
OF which he was president. from his OFF,
cial subordinates of both sexes. including
superintendents, doctors. stewards and in
at least two cases the heads OF private
asylums which are under the supervision
OF the state commission In lunacy.
THE CASE OF THE ICE HOUSE.
ssThe case of the Ice house at the Flat
bush asylum / regard more serious STILL
Here DIR. Wise clearly sought To make
money out of his official position. IL
was no part OF his duty TO have such n
building erected. Nevertheless. he usurp-
ed this function of one OF his subordi-
mates and himself directed the erection
OF the building.
scIe had a financial interest in the
rompany. while in the interest OF the
company he was building the ice house
on state land and partly by state labor
He has himself admitted the improperly
OF this conduct by stating that when the
construction of the ice house was UNDER
taken he gave up his interest In the
company, yet II appears from his letters
that he never gave IL up at all, certainly
mott eight months after ths construc-
ton OF the house was undertaken and
until II was believed that the process was
q failure
DR. WISE REFUSES TO ANSWER.
Governor Roosevelt held a>hsaring on
the charges against DIR. Wise. The lat
ter's counsel urged a postponement, but
the governor emphatically refused, say
ing that DIR. Wise was the only witness
he would examine. The governor endeav-
ored to examine DIR. Wise, who. however.
acting upon the advice OF his counsel,
Lewis Il. Carr, refused TO answer any Of
the questions. Governor Roosevelt then
declared the hearing closed. Mr.. Carr af-
terward said that the governor. In con-
Quoting the hearing. had violated every
constitutional right OF the accused
Counsel for Or. Wise filed an answer "a
the charges. This answer declared that
DR. Wise should not be compelled to be
q witness against himself and that DR.
Wise did not solicit any physician In the
employ of the state hospitals to take
stock In the copper mining company.
With reference to the charges relating
10 the construction of the ice house for
the Long Island State Hospital. DIR. Wise
answered that his actions were based or
= desire to benefit the institution and
were not officially improper.
DIR. Wise issued a statement In which
Ne says that the DIR. Backus controversy
OF last winter had influenced the Cover.
nor in seeking his removal. He allege,
that the governor. DIR. 8. Ira Van Gle
son, director OF the State Pathologica
Institute, New York city; DR.. Carlos +
Macdonald and DIR. Lambert had con
epired to secure his downfall for tn,
stand he had taken In striving TO Sc
cure the removal of DIR. Van Gieson al
director OF the New York institution. tina
n deliberate plot had been laid to stea
his private letters and these had beer
forwarded to the governor. and upol
these letters the governor based hi
charges.