The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-05-07
INVESTIGATION Al
STATE HOSPITAL.
THREE WITNESSES EXAMINED
BY COMMITTEE.
Very Little Developed From the Tes-
timony-Two of the Witnesses
Were Former Inmates and
Other Former Employe

Three witnesses were examined by
the legislative committee in charge of
the investigation of the State Hospi-
tai for the Insane on Wednesday, says
the Columbia State. The session
started at 10 O'Clock in the morning
and with a short recess for dinner
continued until 7 o'clock. The COM
nittee questioned the witnesses prln-
eipally as to the treatment of patients
and the system used on the various
wards by the attendants and the Of
fcers in charge.
Two Of the witnesses examined
were former inmates and, under the
rule adopted iby the committee, their
names can not be used by the news
papers. The other was a former at
tendant or nurse. In the testimony
brought out with the examination
of the witnesses by various members
Of the committee and the members Of
the board Of regents, who were asked
by Chairman Christensen to make any
cross-examination they care to con-
duct, there was no complaint as to
the general conduct Of the admins
tration Of the affairs Of the State hos
pital. Charges we're made as to mis-
conduct by some of the attendants by
the three witnesses but many OF the
statements made by the board Of re-
gents at the first meeting as to need
ed changes We're verified IN the testi-
mony.
Two Of the members of the commit
tee, Representatives Sawyer and
Dick, were not present, although they
are expected today. As members of
a subcommittee they are making an
inspection of some of the institutions
in other States and their reports are
expected to be of general interest.
The examination was conducted
principally by Mr. Carey, who, with
Senator Bates, is in charge Of the le-
gal end Of the Investigation. Mr.. Car
ey goes thoroughly into every phase
Of the situation coming under the OBJ
servation of the witnesses examined
so far and afterwards questions we're
asked by other members on points
brought out. All of the members OF
the board of regents we're present and
DR.. Babcock, the superintendent, and
DIR. Thompson, his chief assistant,
were also present, although no ques-
tions were asked by any Of the off,
cials except at one stage Of the in
vestigation when Mr.. Glenn asked
one of the witnesses a few questions.
One of the witnesses created some
what of a sensation when the hearing
opened. He was former patient
who had been treated for alcoholism
and wished to testify as to eondl-
tions. When he appeared in the com
mittee room he interrupted several
statements made by the first witness
and it was necessary for the marshal
TO remove him. Afterwards he 40
peared again, still under the 1nflu-
ence of whiskey, and was not allaWed
TO enter the room. Chairman Chris
+ensen said afterwards that he did
not know the man except by na1ne.
summons having been issued upon re-
quest. The nature of his testimony Is
not yet known.
TIE members of the COMMITTEES and
the hospital officials we're amused at
his conduct but it was necessa~y to
suppress him in order that the Inquiry
might be carried on as RAPIDLY as
possible.
The first witness examined had
been an inmate Of the institution
twice. He suffered from hallnclna-
tiors which caused a desire for de-
struction. That he has recovered
his mind entirely was shown oy hls
clear statements of facts in man: Ill
stances and his interest taken in sug-
cestions made as to probable changes
that are along the line outlined by
the board of regents in the report to
the committee. The witness was high
in his praise Of the work Of DR..
THOMPSON and others with whom he
came in contact and while the condl-
ton of some of the rooms was bad
he condemned principally the fact
that there seemed to be no organized
effort to cure the inmates by eneour-
aging interest in out-of-door sports
o,,1 +b,e ,,o1ievino the State of many