The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-08-09
Steward of OsaWatOmie Insane
Asylum Has Resigned.
Shaffer Case Causing No End
of Comment.
WILL HE SHOW FIGHT?
That Is the Question Now Z" Be-
fore the House,"
Lieut.. Gov. Richter and George
Clark Stand by Him.

The scandal at the Topeka asylum has
aroused the state administration which
fears that the summary removal of
Steward E. L. Shaffer is likely to pro-
duce a complication which will not be
relished by those in control of asylum
affairs, If Shaffer should demand a hear
ing and investigation, which under the
law he is entitled to have, but the auth
critics which removed him hope that
Shaffer will keep still and take his med
icine.
Tom Hayes, the steward of the Osa-
watomie is to quit or has already relin-
quished his position but it is claimed
that he goes out without being under fire
from the administration. Hayes was in
volved with Shaffer in the potato deal
which was the beginning of Shaffer's
troubles and the board of charities con-
templated removing the two men at that
time but the tenure of office law insured
them the positions so long as they cared
to make a show of fight to hold them.
There was|no complaint against the ef-
ficiency of Hayes but the fact that he
was charged with making a small sum
for his personal account, under the head
of commission" on potato and other
deals set the powers after him.
Hayes is slated as the editor of a new
Republican paper to be established in
Wyandotte county, his home.
1t develops today at the state house
that Governor Stanley and the members
of the board OF charities have been PLAN
ming to GUST Shaffer for eight months.
Numerous complaints were made against
him but the men who went to see the
governor with the hope of getting rid of
Shaffer, did so in an underhanded man.
ner and when asked to make good the
charges by furnishing evidence to sub
stantiate them, the gentlemen retired
into secret conclaves and refused to
make good in public the assertions
which they made in private.
"a w OT les
that the evidence must be such as would
cause a jury to find against the defend
ant. On circumStantial, confidential ev-
idence the administration and the board
of charities could not oust Shaffer so
he went on holding the Office while his
enemies kept their hammers going.
The authorities hint at some myster-
iouS offense on the part of Shaffer which
they believe he will not have the cOur-
age to face i'll investigation and be-
lieye that he VIII accept the judgment Of
the board without making a fight.
However, if Shaffer demands the in
vestigation and hearing to which he is
entitled, the members of the board OF
charities profess to be armed for him.
and the claim is made that they will
cause him to accept the judgment of the
board without question
Unless Mr.. Shaffer demands and re-
ce1veS the investigation he and tho public
will probably never know what the
charges are against him. No official doc
uments have been filed either with the
board or with the governor, the only ac-
ton taken being an order declaring the
position vacant.
Persons connected with this affair have
been asked to say what charge was made
against Shaffer. Not a single individual
has had the courage to say what the
charges are. The intimation has been
made by one or two men to the effect that
Shaffers moral character has not been
what it should be. A member of the
board of charities asked about this charge
today said:
IT win not discuss this matter for pub
rs shaffer charged with anything
criminal?"
81 win not say" was the reply.
DR.. T. c. Biddle, superintendent of the
asylum. asked today about the Shaffer
case, said:
"The matter has been in the hands of
the board of charities and I have had
nothing to do with it. have no informa-
ton concerning the reasons for the change
not come under my consideration at any
Were there charges against Mr..
Il do not know" replied the doctor.
Are the accounts in good order; Is
there any shortage?"
so far as 1 know there is no shortage.
but do not care to discuss the subject
further because L have official infOr
nation concerning it,"
1t was reported yesterday that the gov
ernor had forced Mr.. Shaffer on the
board but If the board was forced to ac-
cept the services of Mr.. Shaffer as stew
ard the responsibility must be placed at
the door of Lieutenant Governor II. +.
Richter and George A. Clark. secreaary
of state. Clark and Richter maintain that
Shaffer is a efficient any other man
in the service of the state, and claim. it
is said, that his removal is due to pref
udice against Shaffer rather than to the
charge of unofficial conduct which has
hean made.