The Washington times., 1905-07-23
WHITE EXCITES
IRE OF DOCTORS
Indignant Over Attitude III
Willis Case.
COURT WILL HEAR OF IT
SupeIintendent's Refusal to Permit
Investigation of Patients Sanity
viii Be Told TO Judge.
COURT WILL HEAR OF IT

The action of Superintendent White,
of the Government Hospital for the In
sane. IN refusing to permit Drs. Rey-
burn and Emmons TO examine Alexan-
der Willis. the old soldier whose case
has created so much comment in con
nection with Illegal commitment to the
insane asylum, is being freely critI-
cised
At the request of Richard P. Evans
who IS attorney for Willis and repre-
senting the Medico-Legal Society OF
the District of Columbia, Drs. Reyburn
and EEamons called at the asylum Fri
day TO make aH examination of Willis.
Superintendent White emphatically de-
cl!ned to permit the examination to be
made, stating that an order from the
court would be necessary before he
would allow the doctors even within
sight OF Willis.
Doctors Dissatisfied.
Both Drs. Emmons and Reyburu
were seen last night by representa-
tive Of The Times. They expressed
much dissatisfaction at the treatment
they received at the hands Of the hos
pital officials
Attorney Evans was also refused
permission to talk with his client III
private. He promises to place the
whole matter before the court tomor-
row. when the case Of Willis is called
before Justice Wright.
The Medico-LegaI Society has deter-
mined to look into the matter OF COM
mitttng persons TO the insane asylum
without a jury trial. AS expressed by
DR.. Reyburn last night:
We Svant the whole thing inquired
into by law. You cannot take an IN
sane persons rights from him"
The society designated Drs. Reyburn
and Emmons and Attorney Evans to
look into the case Of Willis.
Refused Permission.
BY appointment. these three men
called at the insane asylum Friday af-
ternoon, and there met DR.. White, the
superintendent. He informed them he
would not permit an examination with
out an order from the court.
Mr.. Evans called attention to the sug-
gestion made by Justice Wright when
the case was before him, TO the effect
that it would be well to have Willis
examined However, DR.. White de
clined to permit any examination
1t IS claimed by the society and by
the physicians in question that Willis
is not like a man who has been ad-
judged insane by a jury. His case has
been reviewed by a United States judge,
who decided that he was unlawfully
confined.
HomicidaI Tendencies.
DR.. Emmons said last night;
We were told that Wills had de-
veloped homicidaI tendencies We Of
fered to take the risk and make the
examination. but DR.. White would not
permit us to do So
DR.. Reyburn indorsed this statement
After the physicians left, Attorney
Evans demanded the right TO confer
with his client in private Willis was
brought TO him attended by two guards
and in the presence OF his ward doctor
Mr.. Evans declares that willis an
Ewered al his questions about dates
and facts perfectly. When he began 10
ask questions about his treatment the
physician in charge interfered and the
interview was suddenly terminated.
Declares He Is Sane.
Willis is an old soldier. who was trans.
Terred from the National Soldiers Home
in Michigan TO the Government Hospi-
tai for the Insane two years ago. He
remembers when he came. and declares
that he is sane.
His case VIII come up before Justice
Wright Monday. IN all probability he
will be released from custody, although
he viii probably be arrested Immediately
on the charge OF insanity. This course.
however, will give him the right to a
trial by jury within thirty days. and 10
have his mental condition properly in
yestigated by board OF physicians.
An interesting question Is raised in
connection with the probable Tecomuit-
ment OF Willis. This. OF course. VIII be
at the expense of the District.
There are about $40 cases similar to
that Of Willis. where soldiers and sail
ors were committed upon the certificate
OF the head physician at the home where
they We're living. If precedent is set in
the Willis case. win the District take 1t
upon itself to institute proceedings in
all these cases? This would cost be-
tween s.. 600 and 5000.
Government Pensioner.
willis has been receiving a mansion
during the two years ne has been at
the asylum. This pension has been
turned over TO the hospital officials for
his care. If he is declared sane, he can
probably recover every cent used by the
hospital for his maintenance
It is quite probable that interesting
developments will be made at the
hearing in Willis case Monday. II
Medico-Legal Society will have its rep
resentatives there. and will probe the
matter TO the bottom.
I'VE do not wish TO liberate any luna
tics" said DR.. Reyburn last night
what we want IS 10 make it iInpos-
gible 10 put any man in the insane
asylum without a trial by jury"