The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-19

Abdt ~ n6Q Occn OcCIucu tO eusxAC SSSN' mony in Montgomery, at Birmingham and at Tuscaloosa, but intimated that Tuscaloosa would be visited only af- ter all the outside testimony was in.
 In order that Dr. Searcy should have the opportunity to be present at the first session Of testimony taking. the the court decided to wait until the su- perintendent of tho hospital could reach Montgomery. giving him a reasonable time to do so.
 After the session had adjourned, one of the members of the committee said that any attempt to whitewash the hos pital would be promptly checked The committee intenos that this investiga- tion should be of the most thorough character. he said, and so far as pr Searcy Is concerned. he was sure he desires the same thing
 ITO take these witnesses to Tusca- loosa. would be g. bad mistake. in my estlnation.' he added, because the very fact that they were in the presence of the institution in which they allege so much cruelty to have occurred and where they say they were subjected to so much intimidation might have the effect of interfering with their free- dom of speeoh.sy
 The Court of Inquiry is composed of Senators Spraaps ps and Hayes and Rep resentatives Kihg, Arnold and Gunter, all Of whom were present. The repre- sentatives of the Board of Trustees of the Institution were Dr. Gaston. Man ley Foster and Colonel John.
 Chairman King furnished Colonel John with a list of the witnesses who have been summoned to Montgomery in order that he might telegraph their names to Dr. Searcy. so that he might be prepared to bring nurses with him to confront the witnesses if he de- sired.
 The committee will go before the House this morning and ask for an ap- propriation to defray immediate ex- penses of the investigation. The committee proposes to go to Bir- emingham to hear the testimony of wit nesses there on Saturday, and it is the program that a preliminary report.will he submitted to the two Houses on Monday.
 The committee met yesterday to hear the representatives of the asylum in the rooms of the Capitol just vacated by the Educa -ionaf Department.
 Wanted Hearing to Co Over.
 Judge John M. Chiffon appeared on behalf of the Insane Asylum. He said the asylum authorities had not had mo- tice of this meeting until yesterday and the Board of Trustees had not had a chance to prepare for 1t. The mem- bers of the Board of Trustees were present. Judge Chiffon submitted a motion that these sessions be deferred until later on.
 Colonel John in behalf of the Trus- tees said the Board of Trustees was composed of seven and pr. Gaston was chairman. 1t had not known of this meeting or 1t would have had Dr. Searcy there.
 When you go over these you will find it will take you the best part of a day to go over our side, the mems. and the rest of the day to go over the other. You will see just how much work Dr. Searcy has to do.
 we are not in any position to in telligently cross examine witnesses and therefore ask you to do things in the regular way. You are indeed a court have a right to cali witnesses and ex- anime them and punish them if they dc not come or commit perjury. You. as lawyers know there is but one time to cross examine witnesses and that is right at the time. You men are law yers, all of you, and you know the value of this.
 we ask that this matter be investi- gated. If you can't do 1t in the time allotted to you. if you have not the time, then more must be asked for.
 "Dr. Searcy has just sent word they have just heard of this examination and will be here tomorrow if you hold a session. He cannot get here today as trains run"
 MT. King said he had served notice on Mr. John the day before. but MT All the information they had was from the morning paper.
 He agreed to have pr. Searcy here last night, If the session were delayed and he thought out of fairness the ses- sion ought to be delayed.
 Senator Spragins moved the session to adjourn to meet in the Council
 Ask All Hearings at Hospital.
 MT. John said that Dr. Searcy is the Superintendent and there are four physicians and two internes. He sug- gested, therefore, that these examina- tions be held at the hospital.
 MT. King said 1t was the intention of the Committee to meet here and al Birmingham and finish at Tuscaloosa
 In reply Mir. John said 1t was neces- sary to have the witnesses where nurses could be summoned in five min utes.
 MT. King brought up the question oi expense, and MT. John said If the wit nesses were examined at Tuscaloosa r they would be taken care of.
 Objection was made to this by Sena' tor Spragins and MT. King. who thought they ought not to be fed by the State at the institution. The witnesses summoned for yester' day were: Angus Kirkland, Abbeville Mrs. NJ. F. Crenshaw, Montgomery MT. Solomon Wilson, Montgomery Ludwig Boutwell,. Greenville; w. T | Atkins, Sr.. Selma; H. M. Harton | Birmingham: Jim Forbes. Montgom | cry. Mrs Messenger had been summoned | but could not be here It was pro posed to send these names to Tusca loosa and have Dr. Searcy send or