The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-02-18
THE ASYLUM INVESTIGATION.
DIR. SETTLEMxEH TESTIFIES BE.
FORE LEGISLATIVE COM
MlTTEE.
Examination Fails to- Prove One
Charge Against DIR. Saunders
Opinions on Hearsay Evidence.

for the Insane, w. l.. Settlcmyer, NJ
d.. OF Gaffney member of the board
OF regents. failed to give one specific
cause as TO why Eleanora h. Saunders.
NJ. d., the young woman physician,
should be outsted as an assistant ply
stefan at the institution. He made
the general charge that DR.. Saunders
'infringed on the rights" of other as
sistant physicians at the asylum, but
failed to specify one charge. Put
through a severe cross-examination,
the witness paid high tribute TO her
character and ability. He admitted
that he voted to GUST her. but could
not give any definite grounds except
that she "interfered" with other de-
partments. lie admitted that ne based
his opinions on hearsay evidence. The
witness was also cross-examined by
J. w. Babcock. NJ. D.. superintend-
ent OF the hospital. There were no
new facts developed at the hearing.
Was this fight brought about by
the political affiliations OF any con-
eerned?" asked w. +. Stevenson.
member OF the committee.
NO" replied Dr. Settlemyer.
Mr.. Stevenson then read the fol-
lowing from the official report--made
by tho governors private secretary
OF the executive session Of the board
OF regents at the asy'dm. when the
charges were preferred against Dr.
Saunders:
Gov. Blease: That Is correct. /
want these people in this institution
who are against Bleases administra-
tion and are trying to keep up a dis
turbanee as a defiance to me. to leave
and they are going TO leave--no mat
ter what position they hold, from the
chairman OF the board down."
Gov. Blease: That Is all anybody
charges you with. All you were
charged with was Haunting the red
nag In the face OF the board OF re-
gents because they are Bleaseites and
4 think that Is true"
Mr.. Stevenson said that the state
mcnts were supposed to have been
addressed to Dr. Saunders. DR.. Set
tlemyer denied that the board had
peen Influenced by the political afIllia-
tions of any of the assistants.
AT the opening of the session yes
terday afternoon, in the supreme
court room. Chairman Mauldin OF
the committee said that the witnesses
would be required to adhere strictly
to the rules Of evidence. He said that
II was the desire of the committee to
complete the hearing as soon as pos
sioie, because a report Is 10 be sub
mitted at this session of the general
assembly. The hearing yesterday was
adjourned at o'clock. TO be con-
unued this afternoon at $50 o'clock.
Questioned by members Of the com
mittee. DR.. Settlemyer said that when
the regents decided to elect the sub
ordinate employees. there we. . no
charges OF ineHlciency against the
members OF the old staff. He declared
that the regents were acting i'm ac-
cordance with the laws of the state.
which gave them the right TO hold tho
elections. In reply To questions. he
said that the asylum is crowded and
that more room should be provided
for the inmates
Where Is the bone OF contention?
What Is the cause and what is the
remedy" the witness was asked.
There seems to be q disagreement.
That seems To be the main cause" re-
piled the witness.
What Is the disagreement about?'
only thing l know is complaints
against DIR, Saunders"
Asked specifically US To- the com
plants against DR. Saunders. the Wit
ness said that DR. Blackburn was the
first assistant physician TO make COM
plaint He declared that Or. HlacN-
burn had charged that Dr. Saunders
took some instruments from his lab
oratory and that in consequence nc
was unable To perform his duty. II
was brought out that the Instruments
were later returned By Dr. Saunders
The witness did not know definitely
whether DR.. Blackburn's work had
been retarded. lie based his state
ments on second-h hand evidence.
Was there any objection ON the
part OF the regents To Dr. Saunders
cxperimentInG9 no was asked.
1T was never brought before u.s."
replied the witness. lie said that as
n physician he would not object To- the
experiments
Were there any more complaints?"
YES, most OF tho staff made com
plants" replied tho witness He fur