Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-10-19
Resents Insinuations That He
Has interfered in State
Hospitals
AT sUPERINTEnDENTS' MEET
DR.. Brewer of Chicago Stirs Executive
and Or. w. E. Taylor Helps
Make Peace.

lsuperintendents of the Illinois state
Hospitals for the insane. called by the
state board of public charities. took
exceptions to a statement made by Dr.
Daniel r. Brewer of Chicago who said
that he feared that the vile snake of
partisan politics in the state charitable
institutions is not killed, but only
scotched." DR.. Brewer then asked
whether ii was fact that "a man high
in political positions" had ordered one
OF the superintendents mot to dis
charge Mr.. A. nor Mr. B., both of whom
have been found unfit for service"
Deneen Aroused.
Governor Deneen sprang to his feet
and asked DR.. Brewer if he meant him
| tthe governOr when he spoke of "a
man high in political power"
DR.. Brewer replied that he did not
refer TO any one by name.
Governor Deneen then emphatically
| irepudiated the statement in so far as it
might be construed to refer TO him, ami
stated that there was no political in
reference with the management of the
institutions by himself or any one else
in the republican party.
Governor Demands Proof.
The governor declared plainly AMI
with great emphasis that the state
board of charities had free hand. and |
that all remarks that could be CON |
strued as insinuations against his sin
cerity made in his presence would re-
suit in an immediate demand for spe-
cific proof
DR.. Frank Billings and Dr. Emil G. !
Hirsch of the state board of charities |
poured oil on the troubled waters. and
DR.. Brewer explained that he only had |
asked a question. Then he begged tme
pardon of the governor and the confer
ence was resumed
DIR. Taylor Heard.
DR.. w. E. Taylor. superintendent at
WatertOwn said: Il believe | am the
oldest in service of the superintend-
entS in the state. | served continuous
" since GeYefHef Manners inausHrar
ton or since Altgeld's Inauguration. In
justice to Governor Tanner | will saw
that Governor Tanner suggested. neverI
dictated. never gave any intimation. as
10 how to conduct that institution. ex-
cept to conduct it as it should be. upon
a business principle
Governor Yates recommended one
man, and but one man. and it was but
recommendation. He was a good
man. and he was appointed to a posi-
tiCn in that Institution.
Good Word for Yates.
Il want to take this occasion to sayl
that while | was superintendent of
chat institution, during the entire time
that Governor Yates was governor of
this state. that not one word was said
TO me in regard to anything for the
of improving the conditions in
he institutions. We hoped that in the
of each paper there woud
De suggested that things might be done
N the future.
Il hope that Dr. Brewer in his pa
Ger. which | have not heard makes sug- J
sestions which would be of value TO
Is, for the purpose of improving the
duties or powers of GER
ain institutions of the state, if moth
ng more.
Il am sorry that there is any feel \
ng engendered in this. because | do ?
lot think we ought to have it. From n
I'll the time |. have known DIR. Brewer n
feel that he cannot mean to cast in II
mutations. He is not that sort of Il h
nan. h
Il want to say here that I have been I,
member of the board of charities ,,
ince February and | am on the board 6,
" the invitation of Governor Deneen. u
Governor Deneen, in asking me to go -
fl l. |
bly, said to the other members of the
oard who accepted the position, tnat :
is object in appointing me TO the q
oard was that he might have the ben
fit of advice from me in organizing
he board as a board to bring our in
titutions up to a higher standard of
ledicaI scientific efficiency.
Asked for Conference. a
He asked for this conference, and. q
when this meeting was n
allied to order. said that he would talk Z
S frankly as he did to us, saying what 81
g, desired and what he hoped would Il
ONE about | think this is sufficient O
roof that the governor wants to elm "
nate that element of polite of which g
e spoke.
Il have confidence. / don't know tC
ut the governor has always thought II
ad but l want to tell him to his face p'
nat have confidence that he is going HI
, help us to do these things, and | Iii
eel. as result of this meeting, that I'll
e should have internes. training
chool for nurses. psychopathic insti- of
Ite, and farm for epiIeptics. all at
orked out on practical basis. / be- 81
eve Governor Deneen will be in the bt