New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-31
JUDGE VRO0M ON RACK.
ASYLUM FACTS REVE1LED
Contradicts Testimony of Superin-
tcndent-hne-c NaUght Of Brutality.
~ Telegraph 70 The tribune.


been mentioned candidate for Governor
TINS year on me Democratic ticket, was the
principal witness. and ccntradicted in many in
stances The testimony of Dr- John X. Ward.
superintendent of The hospital. in regard to the
circumstances surrounding the death of the in
mate Euoeh Silver,.
The board Of managers of the asylum sat in
body in front of the investigation committee
in ihe Assembly chamber Judge Vroom then
made this statement concerning his knowledge
Of SilverS's death:
When ! came home | found on my table
report made IN cnty-four hours after the death
OF SiverS. and that report stated the death was
due 10 general paresis. The first | saw of DR..
Ward after the death Tuesday He did
not call at my house but he came to NY office
for the purpose of explaining why Mrs.
Silvers had not been notified of her husbands
serious condition He took this course because
/ was interested in the case, as Mrs. Silvers had
worked for Mrs. Nroom q long time.
Two weeks before the death Of Mr.. Silvers
Mrs. Siivers asked Mrs Vroom to find out the
condition Of her husband. Mrs Vroom asked
me Ia do this and ] communicated with Or.
Ward. Dr. Ward said that the patient was I'M
proving. ! reported this to Mrs. Vroom and
she reported TO Mrs. Silvers Mrs. Silvers went
10 the hospital the Wednesday before MIR. Sill
NcrSs death. and said she satisfied with.
the condition in which she found her husband
w hen DR.. Ward came TO the Tuesday
after Silvers's death he wanted TO explain why
Mrs. SilVerS not notified. 1t in that con-
nec1ion that I said the matter was deplorabIe
because Mrs. Sivers was notified. / knew
nothing of the Silvers matter except that the
man dead. DR.. Ward told me the bruises
We're such would have been caused by hand
ling the body because of the peculiar condition
of the skin in cases of persons who die Of
paress. | knew Silvers was a troublesome
patient and that he constantly took off his
clothes and there was trouble in dressing him.
This conversation is the whole knowledge I had
of the matter
Judge Nroom made a statement in which he
told all Of the details of the report of DR.. Ward
20 the board Of managers concerning SilverS's
death. He said that the meeting az which
DR. Ward made his report the physician said
nothing that would suspicion as to the
matter. Judge Vroom also told of the investiga-
ton made by the medical committee OF the
board of mana gers as 70 Silvers's death. He
said the report OF the committee was a cor
roboration of DR.. Wards statement and that
the report was extremely gratifying TO him as
an officer OF the state and president of the man.
ayers.
Concerning Or. Funkhauser's explanation Of
the delay in reporting Mr.. Silverss death
Mrs Silvers. Judge Vroom said the doctor said
he accompanied DR.. Ward on his rounds and
was going 10 report after he had finished that
work.
DIR. WARD Is CONTRADICTED.
Judge vroom in emphatic language denied
DR.. Wards testimony concerning Silvers's
death in so far as the managers had knowl-
edge Of any cause except natural one. Judge
NroOm also said that at the time of Sivers's
death he advocated that if anything was found
in the death OF Svers to warrant suspicion the
death should be reported to the proper authori-
ties. He also said the attendants, Singleton and
Skinner. dismissed because they failed to
report the death of Silvers, as required by rules
Of the asylum
Judge Sroom admitted that he has known Of
the friction between DR.. Ward and Warden
Hayes for long time. and he said the friction.
ne due tho
management Of the asylum in tie adrnnistra-
ton Of Governor Albeit when the office Of
warden was made distinct in itself.
When asked why DR.. Ward was not dismissed
some time ago. Judge Eroom said the managers
were never able to find that the differences be-
tween Ward and Hayes resulted in official neg
lect He considered the differences personal
rather than official. Judge Vroom said he adj
Nocated the dual system Of administration at
the asylum and expressed his opinion that the
institution can be better administered with a
medical director and warden than by a single
head.
Judge Froom asked when he first knew Of
typhoid fever at the asylum He said DR.
Henry Mitchell first called his attention To II in
July He said he knew the matter
taken up by the proper committee of the man
ayers and vigorous action was taken. The Wit
ness was asked to sanitary conditions at the
asylum. John II. Backes. counsel. was referred
by Judge NroOm 70 committees having the vari-
Gus matters in charge. Judge Vroorn said Dr.
Of sanitary conditions a meeting Of the board
held in May, and that his information is that all
Of the suggestions have been carried out Judge
Nroom was told by Mr.. Backes that Dr. Arthur
NfcClintock found all kinds of germs in the COW
yard Judge Froom answered: He might go
out and gather germs in butterfly net.
don't know anything about germs"
ABSENT DOCTORS CRITICISED
Mr.. Backes asked Judge VrooIn as TO why
Warden Hayes was absent in the middle Of the
typhoid epidemic. The witness said IL he had
known the condition at the hospital at the time
Hayes left he would not have consented to his
going. He also said Hayes arranged 10 go to
Saratoga, and he went without notice of de-
parture because he had already been given per-
mission 10 go. 1t was brought out that DR.. Will
fam c. Sandys left tire hospital in the midst Of
the typhOS epidemic and while ne had charge
Of most Of the typhoid cases. He said DR.. San
dys will be called to account for his action.
Closing this testimony. Judge Vroom said:
He went away on the excuse of the death Of
his mother-in-law. remarkable excuse"
The witness asked if he knew Of violence
having been done patients Of the asylum. Judge
Vroom said he had never heard Of such things.
Judge Vroom was asked what check there is
on Warden Hayes's expenditure of money. He
said the managers have auditing committee
which audits the books of Hayes every month
and every item is checked off. He said he has
always found the system Of purchasing eff
Gent one When asked II a contract system
would not be better he said il might be
abstract business proposition. The witness was
asked where the $50 900 came from which was
used for the medical directors and wardens'
home The answer
From the surplus fund" Judge Vroom said
urexpended amounts of the annual appropria-
ton are not turned back into the treasury. and
he never could see any difference in taking