New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-04-13
Sends Letter to Counsel Refusing
To Be Examined.
STATEMENT By ALIENlSTS
Drs. Macdonald and Flint Prom
Use Careful Test of Every Pa
tient Who Does Not Refuse.
[Hy 1.eleEraph TO The Tribune. |


Newburg, y. Y. April 12.-When Drs
Flint and Macdonald completed to-day's
work 49, patients at the Matteawan State
Hospital had been examined. II was said
tonight that the physicians would be here
until Saturday. To-day Harry X. Thaw is
sued a written notice that he would not be
examined. The following letter to his
counsel. Clarence J. shearn. was this even
ing sent after having first been read by
DR.. Lamb:
Dear Mr.. Shearn: There seems no doubt
Baker and Lamb expect great BENEFITS from
them. for the keepers are forcing patients
10 go in. They say: You must be exam
ined.' and thc doctors tell the prisoners
Your name H. on the list II is obligd-
tory. and even Dr. Lamb has been over
heard To tell several Of the sane patients
Go in: il is wonderful chance for YOU
One prisoner replied: 1T seems more
probable they came down here TO back YOU
up rather than do anything for patients.
DR.. Lamb said Il do not require any
backing up The prisoner had 10 smile AT
Dr.. Lambs anxiety. | thought best 10 de-
cline 10 be examined. in writing, as follows:
II don't know the legal title OF any OF
this inquiry. so address il
TO the members OF Or. i. g. Lambs
investigating committee.
Dear Sirs: Five years ago Or. Carlos
Macdonald questioned me in w. r. Jer-
ONES library. and am satisfied with the
result.
Every alenst knows that to refuse to
answer questions with good judgment Is
the severest test of sanity. During my
examination ! refused to answer d num-
Der Of questions put by DR.. Macdonald,
yet | conversed freely with him and his
associates for forty minutes.
Although Or. Macdonald has admitted
under oath that during all his qulZzng ne
observed no signs Of insanity in me, can
not trust him 10 be so fair because | have
learned that he deceived the court In the
case Of Richard A. Preusser Presusser
was ACQUITTED OF murder on the grounds OF
INSANITY and sent TO MatteaWan, but Or.
Lamb in six weeks liberated him. II is
said he moved quickly owing To Superln-
tendent Collins's influence. but the fact re-
mains that rreusscr was perfectly sane
and Macdonald totally wrong. I am per-
fectly sane ana Macdonald totally wrong.
IL am told that DR.. Macdonald knew
Preusser was sane as well AS any one, ana
that he was simply INSCRIPTIONS. lie can
feel no i'll will unless my reference to his
Freusser testimony initiates him. but he
has tried TO bolster his hypothetical opin-
ion against me. Both Drs. Macdonald ana
Flint have appeared as witnesses against
me for Or. l.amb.
"Dr. Mcdonald repeatedly gave the opn-
ion that Richard 4. Preusser was insane
and would never recover his reason, which
was manifestly untrue. 80 ! viii abide by
their previous quizzng and not see Drs.
III. X. THAW.'
Or. Macdonald Issued the following state
ment tonight regarding the investiga ton
OF affairs IT the Matteawan State Hospital:
Drs Carlos F. Macdonald and Austin
Flint. under appointment OF Commission
ers Osborn and Van KEENAN,. began their
inquiry yesterday into the mental condition
and the treatment Of patients at the Mat
teawan state Hospital and continued the
same throughout to-day. The scope Of their
inquiry includes careful personal exam
ination into the mental condition of every
patient In the institution except such as de
cline Of their own volltion or under advice
OF others to he examined, Of which there
are only a few.
The examiners say that they aim 10 af-
ford each and every patient the falrest OPP
portunity 20 make any complaints in re-
epect 10 his or her care and treatment by
the doctors and attendants and others
having them IL charge.
The examiners 10 not feel at liberty at
the present time 10 give out any of the
details of their examinations or their con-
illusions. but when they have finished their
work will make a report 70 the commits
sioners who appointed them. TO be trans
mitted 10 the Governor. setting forth in
full their examinations aud their con-
illusions and whatever recommendat tons
they may care To make.
Every facility is being afforded tho on
aminers by the hospital officials for the
prosecution OF their work.
Clarence J. Shearn. counsel FOR Harry X.
Thaw. last night gave out the following
statement:
Harry Il. rhaw viii not he examined by
Dr.. Carlos Macdonald or Or. Austin Flint
IN the course OF their Investigation a.
Matteawan or at any other time. SUCH an
examination would be farcical and I would
not permit it, These two doctors were
hired as experts 10 testify that Thaw was
insane. For five years past they have been
drawing large sums for services rendered
on that side OF the case. ThaW would nave
O fine chance at their hands. DR.. Ferris.
superintendent Of the Lunacy Commission,
whose administration IS being 'inveSti
gated" by these two experts, was also hired
with them and testified with them against
Thaw.
1t Is all one happy family. Governor Dix
might Just as well appoint Cheney To in
vestigate the conditions i'm the Banking
Department as to permit these two profes-
sional experts, fresh from their laurels in
the Robin case. to investigate conditions in
the Lunacy Department and AZ MatteaWan.
1t IS these alienists, their mistakes ana
methods that need investigation. No re-
forms will follow their investigating thcn-
selves II this Investigation is going TO be
a whitewashng affair doubtless the Legs
lature will take hand and order real