The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-30
ASYLUM OFFICIALS ACCUSED.
II. y. BEBRO SETS HIMSELF UP
TO FREE THE SANE.
Known ~ . Second Charles Reade--Gcts
Brother OF Former Police Capt.
Haughey Out OF Matteawan Alleging
Pers Observation-Disclosures to Examine.

Supreme Court Justice Maddox in
Brooklyn yesterday heard argument on the
return OF a writ Of habeas corpus in the
ease Of James p Haughey, who Ia seeking
bis release from the State Asylum for Crimi-
Gal Insane at Matteawan. He - a brother
Of former Police Captain Haughey and
alleges that he Is perfectly sane.
The petitioner in the case was H. j. Bebro
Of $50 Nassau street, who counsel said
was known as the Charles Reade Of Amer
lea" None Of Haughey's relatives were
present Mr. Bebro had called the atten-
ton Of the various newspapers to the fact
that the case was to come up before Justice
Maddox and there was a large gathering
OF newspaper men. Haughey, who has
snow white hair and restless eyes, was
brought to court in the custody Of two
asylum attendants and DR.. Allison, the
superintendent Of the institution.
Bebro, before the case was called. told tho
newspaper men that Haughey was abso-
lutely sane and that he had been unjustly
deprived OF his liberty. He also said that
he knew that many other sane persons were
confined in the asylums and were subjected
TO cruel and inhuman treatment.
Haughey was represented by Lawyer
David Hershfeld OF 231 Broadway. Manhat-
tan. Assistant Deputy Attorney-General
Cornelius F. Collins and DR.. Allison repre-
scented the asylum.
Lawyer Hershfeld began by relating the
facts of Haugheys commitment to the
asylum. He said that his client had been
committed to Blackwells Island for petit
larceny and because he had used certain
abusive language to several al the officials
he had been transferred to Matteawan
This, he said. was about five years ago.
Counsel said that Hanghey had sent
letters. eurreptitiously, out OF the asylum
and for this had beer, placed in solitary CON
finement. He then began an attack upon
DR.. Allison. but Justice Maddox cut him
short by saying that he knew DR.. Allison
we'll and that such comments would not
tend to aid Haugheys case.
that Haughey was q dangerous lunatio
and was incurable. He said he was a
paranoiac and had been twice in the asy.
hum. On both occasions Haughey had
been examined by experts and they had
agreed as to his insanity. Haughey had
not been denied anything within reason.
He was allowed to write as many let
ters as he pleased, the result being that
there were many inquiries at the asylum
as to his condition.
was asked by Justice Maddox what he
considered Haughey 'sipresent condition vas.
he is now insane" said DR.. Allison.
he has had all sorts OF privileges and has
written letters to the Governor and to each
member Of the State Lunaoy Commission.
as we'll as to Supreme Court Justices Gaynor
and OBrien. The latter sent a physician
70 examine Haughey. who found that he
VS. paranoiao.
Hau they was called to the with eee stand.
He told Justice Maddox that he had been
treated In a CT eli end fnhuman manner and
that that very morning, before being taken
20 court. tho attendants had tried to choke
him because he would not givs UP certain
popers he had in his pockets Whenever he
refsgred to DR.. Allison. he spoke OF that
msns IA q oontemptuous manner.
Justice Maddox said that he would have
two experts examine Hau ghey, and then
Mr. Behro, through ooupSel. askcd that
Hanghey IN the mean time be placed IN his
This lunatio,- said Lawyer Collins,
sshould not be given into the care Of this
petitioner The petitioner calls himself tho
Cheries Reade OF America and Ii always
hquiring into insanity cases. He himself
hae been detained IN an Asylum
what II he hast asked Lawyer Hersh-
field. .He proved himself sane before If
teen experts. He saw many things when he
wes In the asylum and L. now doing Gods
work In trying 70 free sane men who have
BEEN incaroerated as Haughey has been"
Justice Maddox ordered Haughey to be
taken back to the asylum and then appoint
ed Drs Spitzka and Dana to examine him.
The Court instructed them to appear on
Oct. to report on Haughey's present con-
dition