New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-16
Certificate Declaring big Tim
Insane Says He Believed
His Enemies Were
Doping" Him.
HAD THREATENED SUICIDE
Record in the New York Repre-
sentative's Case Held Secret
Until Shown to a Tribune
Reporter by Gov
ernor's Direction.
/ BY rel.sraph to Th. Tribun.. !

Albany, Jan. 15.-By direction Of
Governor sulzer, the State Hospital
Commission permitted Tribune re-
porter to-day TO see the certificate
under which Representative Timothy
d. sullivan, of New York City. was
committed 10 an institution for the in
sane.
The certificate contained little of a
personal or confidential nature, but IL
did correct some false impressions as
10 the character. of Big Tim Sulli-
vans mental trouble. There was noth-
ing in il TO show that he was suffer
ing from a religious mania, as hao
been frequently reported.
Mr.. Sullivan was examined as 10 his
sanity by Drs. John h. Herrity ana
William B. Pritchard, Of New YORK.
During the examination, they said, he
insisted on the conversation being car
ried on in whispers. He seemed TO be
subject TO forebodings of evil, declar-
ing in a whisper that the room was full
Of telephones and dictsgraphs. he
feared he was being "doped" by his
enemies. and that poison was being put
in his food and drink and was being
pushed into the atmosphere OF the
room" He also declared that his rela-
tives were being "doped." The certifi-
cate added:
BEGINNING i'm April last, the alleged In
conpetent has shown many changes in
condition, speech and habits. He has been
subject to periods OF despondency and
great excitement with ideas OF persecu-
tion and conspiracy. alleging that his food
IS poisoned and that his enemies were
irving to harm him IN many ways. He
repeatedly threatened suicide, aud mas ~
times threatened violence 10 others. lie
has slept very little and lost weisht ana
strength.
Trouble Began in March.
The earliest symptom Of insanity, the
physician said, was In March last, when
Mr.. Sullivan showed signs OF delusions
and Authorizations. and repeatedly re-
fused food because of fear OF poison.
They reported that he never used to-
bacco, liquor or drugs in his life.
THE two examining physicians" the
certificate says, state that Mr. Suiii-
vans mental condition is such that per-
sonal service would greatly aggravate
his malady and seriously Jeopardize his
recovery"
This is regarded as indicating that
there is some chance of the Repre-
sentative recovering from his ailment'
- OF his physical condition, the certifi-
cate ssys he weighs l96 pounds and
has a good color. but his heart. lungs
and kidneys show signs Of an organic
trouble.
Mr.. Sullivan is now at DR.. Bonds
house. in Yonkers. The order adjudg-
ing him insane was granted by Justice
Amend, of New York, on the petition OF
Lawrence Muligan, half brother: Pat
rick II. Sullivan, brother, and Margaret
Hickey, half-sister.
The production of this certificate to-
dav WAS the first test OF Governor Sui
zer's declaration that all records I'm
state departments are 10 be open TO the
yuhlic. When a Tribune reporter asked
r. f. McGarr. secretary of the State
Hospital Commission, 10 see the GER
tificate. Mr.. GcGarr said he could not
allou Il 30 be seen His attention was
called TO this statement made by the
Governor to the newspaper men few
dsys after he became chief executive.
III you are denied access to any rec