The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-02-18
ASYLUM TROUBLES
THE PENITENTIARY.
THREATENS DIR. BABCOCK

y u
The Investigation Reveals a Mean,
Unsallant Fight Being Made on
Dr. Saunders, a Lady Physician at
the Asylum, by the Governor and
the Board Of Regents.
South Carolina obtained full look
into the affairs at the State Hospital
for the Insane Saturday when Sena-
tor Tillman. Dr.. J. ". Babcock and
Governor Blease testified before the
legislative committee charged with
Investigating that institution. The
curtain was raised over the turmoil
and dissension and the probe will go
to the bottom Senator B. R. Till
man, Dr.. J. w Babcock and Gov
erncr Blease appeared as witnesses.
A short synopsis Of their testimony is
printed below.
twas shown that friction existed
and had existed for some time be-
tween Dr.. J. w. Babcock. the super
intendent. and the board of regents
of the asylum, and the bone of con-
tention was DR.. Saunders, lady ply
sician connected with the medical
staff. and daughter Of Representa-
tive 0. L. Saunders of York county.
The regents wanted Dr.. Saunders dis
charged because they charged she
was interfering with the other mem
beS Of the medical staff, and partic-
uarly because she permitted Dr..
Cooper. who had been discharged, to
keep instructing her. which was OBJ
jected to by DR.. Blackburn. who had
been elected to succeed DR.. Cooper.
because, he alleged, interference
with his work.
Iusubordination on the part Of his
subordinates, brought about because
the regents elected people openly an
tagonistic to him, and who ignored
his authority, and demoralized the
running of the asylum, was stressed
by Dr.. Babcock He also charged
that efforts were being made by the
regents to oust him, and that Dr..
Thompson. his first assistant, was
schem;ng to get his place, and that
another ring-leader in the insubo-di-
nation was Dr.. Griffin, a son Of the
man who was turned out Of the
SUPPLEMENTARY Of the asylum by
Governor Tillman, and whom DR..
Bahcock succeeded. DR.. Babcock in
troduced letters to show Governor
Blease had ordered him to dismiss
Dr.. Saunders, which he declined to
do, and he paid high tribute to her
worth and efficiency and made 1t
clear that he had stood by her and if
she went he would go. too.
While Dr.. Babcock was on the
stand he was pressed by the investi-
eating committee to tell what he
knew about rumored reports affect
ing Dr.. Saunders, his assistant. who
Is a woman. In reply he began to re-
late a conversation which he said
occurred at the home OF Governor
Blease's sister. When Dr.. Babcock
reached the word SISTER. Governor
Blease, who was present at the in
quiry, sprang to his feet with the ex-
clamation, This is false" The gov
ernor then forbade Dr.. Babcock to
drag his sisters name into it, threat
ening to put him where he could not
talk If he did so. Dr.. Babcock was
not at all frightened by the gov
ernor's attitude and said he would
answer any question asked him. He
also stated that Col. E. H. Aull told
aim the conversation referred to
above occurred at the residence of
Governor Blease's sister.
The Supreme court room was filed
with spectators when Senator Till
man walked in little after 10
o'clock by himself. The senator look
ed surprisingly we'll and it was with
his old time vigor and manner which
has endeared him to so many Of the
Carolinians that he shook hands with
friends in the room. At his request
q chair was placed for him inside the
rail when he was ready to testify.
and as he passed by the press stand
to take his seat he shook hands with
the newspaper men. Senator Tillman
spoke in a clear voice, which was
easily heard by every one in the
room. and. as usual, stated his facts
In clear. short and not to be misun-
de-stood words He spoke straight
from the shoulder and appeared more
like the Tillman who swept South
Carolina In 1890 that he has for
years.
Senator Tillman Testifes.
Anticipating the question. What
did you mean by Governor Blease's
satellites and underlings?' I have
written out my answer. These two
are very plain English words. easily
understood, and the dictionary will
inform any ignoramus Of their mean
Ing.
'Satellite-A follower; particu-
larly. a subservient or obsequius fol-
lower or attendant; a subordinate at
tendant.'
"'Underling-Oae who Is -subor-
dinate to another. especially In some
mean or servile capacity; hence, a
mean, sorry fellow
Il have always been credited with
using striking phrases to convey my
meaning. and this is an illustration
Of that faculty. I have designated no
one. mentioned no names. and he
can only justly be aggrieved who con-
siders himself. and thus convicts him
self OF coming under the description
above given. In other words. the