New-York tribune., 1901-01-09
BELLEVUE IN NEW HANDS.
DIR. GEORGE T. STEWART TAKES CON
TROL AS SUPERINTENDENT-MA
CHANGES IN VIEW.

DR.. George Taylor Stewart the superins
tendent OF Bellevue Hospital, took charge yester-
day morning. visiting all the wards and meeting
the staff of the institution. which was presented
by former Superintendent O'Rourke. DR.. Stewart
said that he expected TO make some important
changes in the management Of the hospital, but
could not say what at the present time
DR.. Stewart made up his slate during Tie morn
ing \ high official OF the institution said the
slate is as follows: Deputy superintendent. Will
lam B. OfRourke night superintendent "a new
ofticel Michael J. Rickard steward. Office aool-
ished Major Samuel Russell being allowed TO go
Night Captain John McHale is also let so. Many
changes will be made in the clerical staff. and
many of the help are 10 go.
When ueen later in the day DR.. Stewart said
that he had not proposed to make public the
changes he intended make but when told Of
the publicity OF certain changes he volunteered the
information that in some cases he had already
taken action. He said that he had suggested the
change in the management by placing Superin-
tendent ORourke deputy in charge during the
day and former Deputy Superintendent Michael j.
Rickard look after the interests OF the institu-
ton during the night. He denied. however. that
the Office of steward abolished, but hinted
at some change in this department. The once oI
night captain was abolished. he said. Captain
John McHale. who retained that place, will
leave the department, and accept JOB keeper in
the penitentiary under the Correction Depart
ment DR.. Stewart said that there would be nU-
merous other changes Of minor importance among
the employees OF the institution
When Commissioner Keller was seen at his office
late in the afternoon he read a long letter from
Dr.. McLane Hamilton, who told at length of the
abuses in the insane pavilion at Bellevue Hospi-
tai In the letter. which consisted of about thirty
five hundred words. Dr.. Hamilton told of the way
a number Of cases had been sent to the Manhattan
State Hospital for the Insane on Wards Island. He
said that these were improperly committed, and
should have been sent TO the almshouse Tne
cases were of senile dementia, which Is due to old
age. Dr.. Hamilton claims that the alnshouse is
the proper place for them. Or. Hamilton also tells
of the alleged oyercharging Of fees and the manner
OF disposition in the Of nonresident and alien
insane.
Then Commissioner Keller told Of the charges
of DR.. Hamilton against DR.. Fitch. The former
insanity expert in his letter said that citizen
he thought these abuses should be rectifed. He
cited numerous cases. and especially the Georg anna
Wendell case. in which the specific complaint is
made Of overcharging in fees. He also called 10
Pagent OF MS IN lego IN this case Dr.. Hamilton
ter had put in bill Of $500 for his three hours
york. This. DR. Hamilton claims is specimen Of
Dr. Fitch's exorbitant demands, He states that
he remonstrated with DR.. Fitch. and the latter
dr3Ppea 1 ms rs rec zee 10 so which was paid
take any action as to other charges in the Of
has broken any rule OF Bellevue Hospital he viii
Commissioners that DR.. Mcdonald Of the Manhat-
tan state Hospital. has number of photographs
tality on patients who were committed from Belle
yue Hospital to the Manhattan State Hospital
Relative TO the brutality charge the Commissioner
said that he would look further into the matter
and would take action if necessary. He said that
hereafter the examiners of the insane would not
only have TO look after the mental condition of
their charges. but if there any marks Of
violence or symptoms Of any disease present they
would have 10 notify the proper authorizes imme-
diatey, that the patient could be treated prop
erly. The Commissioner intimated that there
would be more lack OF interest in any depart
rnent and matters appertaining 10 the betterment
Of the service in general would be given strict
tention