The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-09-06
DR. SEARCY ON THE STAND Hospital Superintendent Gives4 4estimony. TELLS jF ASYLUM SYSTEM G Aission Finishes Labor and
 Leaves Tuscaloosa. Trustees Also Testify To Their High Regard For Head of Institution
 and Admiration For His
 Methods.
TELLS 3F ASYLUM SYSTEM

Tuscaloosa, Sept. 5.-(Special. )--The insane hospital investigation commit tee finished its labors here about o'clock this afternoon and the members of the committee left for Birmingham.
 The committee met this morning about o'clock at the hospital and continued the hearing of witnesses who had been summoned on behalf of the institution. The principal witness this morning was pr. J. T. Searcey, Su- perintendent of the Hospital. For more than an hour Dr. Searcev sat in the witness chair and courteously and pa- tiently answered all questions put to him.
 In the course of what he had to say, every one was impressed with the fact that nothing less than a life experience In such work rendered one competent to fully appreciate the magnitude of the task which he, as Superintendent, has, had. Both the words and the man. ner of pr. Searcey spoke of the unceas- ing thought and care which he has de- voted to the poor, becloaded minds of those under his chare@
 Dr. Searcey testiAed that he became Superintendent iRSzSs2: that he had be- fore this time aDeen a member of the Board of Trffstees. and an intimate friend of DFs Peter Bryce, his predeces- sor; that he had grown up with the institution. He outlined the system which prevailed in the general manage ment and stated that the character of the nurses, both male and female, was soon ascertained and that only good ones were retained. He told of the food at the different meals and the rules governing both patients and nurses. He gave the details as he knew of them Of the cases where cruelty or death had been charged to tho nurses and corroborated the nurses who had given evidence formerly on these sub- Jects.
 Questioned by the Commissioners Dr Searey said he had visited probably forty similar institutions and this one compared favorabIy with any. He said of his own accord, that he had Rbseutec himself from the witness room through. out so that his presence might noi in the least restrain any patient oI nurse from testifyinE. He also ex. piained fully ell features of the hospi. tai that have come up for any criticism and said that all matters connected with 1t were thought over seriously and the best possible plan adopted.
 pr. PartIow Testified.
 The Superintendent was followed on the stand by pr. Partlow, the first as- sistant. Dr. Partlow's testimony was largely of the same character as Dr.
 
 in regard to the treatment and man. agement of patients and the system by which the nurses looked after them He denied any knowledge of or the probability of the cruelties which have been charged. He also said that the food was plentiful and good.
 J. M. Foster, of Tuscaloosa, testified that he was a member of the board of trustees; that at the last meeting this body had unanimously reelected Dr. Searcy as Superintendent and that the board regarded him most highly.
 Dr. J. L. williamson testified that he was a trustee of the institution; that he had examined the hospital as such and thought 1t well conducted; that Dr. Searcy was the ablest man he knew for the place; that he could suggest no improvements with the amount of money now available.
 A. B. McEachin, Jr.,. who acted as coroner at the inquest held over Hines, pand pr. George Ran, who was present at the inquest, were then examined. Both testified that the finding then. was that Hines came to his death nat urally from a fall.
 The committee then adjourned and left the city on the train for Birm- ingham at 5:45 o'clock.