The Van Buren press., 1901-08-31
Noticeable Discrepancy.

From the Little k0ck uohocraI
There Is an apparent discrepancy be-
kween an interview imputed to Gov.
Davis concerning conditions at the in
sane asylum and the statements OF
Superintendent Hooper and Steward
Gibson of that institution.
Governor Davis is quoted as having
said: .
ION August 2d l found my way into
the kitchen Of the insane asylum and
found them preparing 80 pounds of bulk
pork for the following breakfast, when
the acquisitions made called for the best
breakfast bacon. / obtained bill OF
fare, which called for delicacies such as
Kansas City steak, California cherries
and peaches, olives, pickles and num-
erous other articles that even | do not
always have on hand. None were to be
found In the institution. The requisi-
ton provided for 450 pounds OF good
beef daily, and yet they never had
steak up to that time. The beef was
hashed with beans and other vegetables
made into a stew, and that is the way
it was served while the state is paying
for the very best beef to enable the pa
tients to receive steak and roast beef,
they have not been getting 1t; and
neither have they been getting breakfast
bacon. :, i,
"When returned to the city | called
meeting of the board of charities and
sent for Superintendent Hooper and
Steward Swain, and and an investiga-
tion was had. After due consideration
these officials were given good jacking
up all along the line and they promised
better service.
Steward Gibson says the board Of
trustees only allow the institution 200
pounds Of breakfast bacon per month,
which Is but third Of a pound to the
individual for the whole month, and
this Is used for an occasional change.
II that Is true the governor Is mistaken
In the presumption that breakfast bacon
should be used on all occasions, and not
bulk pork. Steward Gibson says the
institution Is allowed by the board 1870
pounds Of bulk pork per day 1t Is
reasonable to suppose the hoard intends
for this amount to be consumed. AT
any event the steward says 1t Is relished
by three.fourths Of the inmates In pre-.
ference to fresh meat. The steward
says fatty. I'VE have no such dishes
on our bill of fare as Kansas City
steak. - Where did the governor get
the bill calling for "delicacies such M
Kansas City steskf' The governor is
quoted rs saying ''the requisition pro-
yided for 450 pounds Of good beef daily
and yet they never had steak up to that
time. " Steward Gibson says;
1--WE are allowed $50 pounds Of fresh
beef and we USE 1t In the best form we
can Which statement is correct
Mr.. Gibson says ''Mr. Page, the
lgovernor's) purchasing agent, makes
all the purchases. Neither the steward
nor the superintendent is allowed to buy
anything.
Mr.. Gibson, the steward further says
his acquisitions are not always filled
they are sometimes cut down; the goods
purchased are not always up to the
standard rs to quality, and that some
times foodstuffs for the asylum have
been rejected by him and sent back.
1.-THE governor 10 quoted rs saying
when / returned to the city | called
y meeting Of the state board Of charities
and sent for Superintendent Hooper and
Steward Swain. and an investigation
was had. There are some peculiar
features about this statement. The
first Is that the stewards name Is not
Swain, but Gibson. Mr.. Guy Swain
was steward ut the asylum four years
ago but resigned his position and has
since bsen engaged elsewhere. The
second Ia that Gibson says; ~ was
not summoned before any regular or
official session OF the board OF charities
and know nothing about this what.
ever.
Another strange feature Is that Super.
tntendent Hooper says; 81 never knew
OF any specially called meeting of the
board Of charities. was requested To
attend the regular meeting of the board
on the first Monday of the month, rs
have done frequently before, At that
meeting there was general talk over
the affairs at the asylum, and suggestions
ia to changes IN some respects
The chief result OF that colloquy be.
tween myself and the board with the
governor present was the adoption Of n
resolution requesting the superintend.
ent OF the insane asylum TO give EN-.
ployment only to citizens Of Arkansas
and to ill all such with citizens within
three months, II possible. To this
agreed II ! could do no without injury
20 the institution, -
Dr., Hooper Ia inclined TO the belief
that there ia something wrong about
the governors interview. There IL
certainly u discrepancy between the
n 40 an kasnaota