The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1905-07-25
STATEMENT OF
d. w. C. YARBROUGH

this committeeman must have con-
fused the names of some of his ''iu-
formers"
AS to DR.. Gwinn's conduct with any
female employee being other than per
fectly Legitimate, ! not only deny haV-
ing made the accusation but from the
best Of my knowledge and belief, the
fact.
Excellent Management.
In my alleged criticism of the per-
sonal treatment l received from the
former superintendent whether true o.
not. the public can have no interest.
That gentleman is no longer connected
with the hospital, and cur personal
opinions of each other can have no
bearing. But l have said, do now
say. and shall continue to say, that,
in my judgment, whatever that may
be worth, his executive management
of the affairs of the institution was
excellent; that his connection with
the disbursement of the appropriation
was honest and conscientious, and
that his management of the hospital
will be hard to improve upon.
| therefore submit that the commit
tees defense against the charge of
improper motives at least on the part
of a portion Of its membership, Is
weak and inadequate. Did l not so
consider it, might be able to tell of
the ambition, according to his own
statement to me, of one of its mem
bers eventually succeeding to the
supeTint endency Of the hospital; how,
according to the same gentleman, he
had been told by another member of
that committee of his eminent fit
ness. qualifications both of mind and
heart" as well as the possibility of
same; / say l could have told the pub
life of these things, and let it judge
how far this might have influenced
the said committeeman in joining ia
the report. But | do not think tie
public interested now in motives. They
have haG the facts brought out, and
can form their own conclusions. It
is evident, however, that this change
of base, this trying to shift the re-
sponsibility from their own shoulders
to those of the Board of Commission
ers of State institutions, whose an
swer has formed such a large portion
of their thoughts for the past two
months, and 90 my humble self, will
not avail them.
Duty OF Committeeman.
Speaking of motives, it might he
well to consider: Had l made these
alleged statements as charged, was it
not the sworn duty of this committee
man to have brought out these facts
in my testimony while l was on the
stand? Do the questions propounded
to me, as appearing in their report, in
dictate that they desired to substan-
tate these points? AS a matter Of
fact, does that report show any ques-
tons OF this nature as asked me? !
was L eecre them three times, the last
time in Tallahassee, but short time
before their report was rendered.
He cannot plead that it was said
confidentially, for as a public official,
charged with such investigation, he
had every right to ascertain and pub
fish any information in my possession,
but as such official he had no right 90
promise secrecy where the public in
;erests were concerned. But had he
so far forgotten himself as to bind
himself to secrecy, now to violate the
confidence is but worse
Thus you behold man who remains
silent when the public welfare is con-
cerned but when, forsooth, someone
questions his personal motives, is
quick to quote his alleged authority.
As a matter OF fact, however, l ask
ed no secrecy for any statements |
made, and have nothing 10 conceal rel
alive to any matter in the conduct Of
the hospital or any of its employees
since my connection Herewith.
With this and other facts before it,
| am willing for the public to judge.
d. w. G. YARBROUGH,
Sec. Fla. Hosp. for the Insane.