The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1914-03-19
DIR. Wv. BABCOCK RESIGNS
LANCASTER SENATOR NEW
HEAD OF INSANE ASYLUM.
DR.. Saunders Quits Also-Dr. j. l..
Thompson Temporarily in
Charge.


nor to-day accepted the resignation
of DR.. James w. Babcock as superin-
tendent of the State Hospital for the
Insane, and appointed in his stead
DR.. T. J. Strait, of Lancaster. This
turn in the events of the asylum
came as climax to the two-days' ses-
sion of the board of regents.
DR.. Babcock became superinten-
dent of the asylum by appointment
of Governor Tillman, August 13,
1891. DR.. Strait is the senator from
Lancaster county and was a member
Of the legislative committee that con-
duct d the recent investigation into
the affairs at the State Hospital.
The governor was asked whether
he had any statement to make with
regard to the asylum situation. He
said he had none, but would be glad
to furnish copies of the official cor
respondence between himself and
those at the asylum, since the letters
are a public record which any one is
entitled to see. His secretary fur
nished the copies of the official cor
respondence and the official notice to
the secretary of State indicating the
appointment of DR.. Strait as the new
superintendent.
DR.. J. L. Thompson, the first as
sistant physician at the asylum, Will
have temporary charge of the instltu-
ton until DR.. Strait qualities as sup
erintendent.
DR.. Babcock's Letter.
DR.. Babcock's letter to the COVER
nor was as follows:
columbia, S. c., March -, 1914.
"The Hon. Cole L.. Blease, Cover
nor, Columbia, S. C.-Dear sir: l
desire to acknowledge receipt of your
letter of March 12 requesting me to
put in writing what you have stated
to me verbally in reference to your
RESIGNATION in order that I may take
it up with the board of regents OF
the State Hospital for the Insane at
4 O'Clock this afternoon 1t is rath-
er difficult, as, of course, you must
appreciate, to be entirely accurate as
to what transpired in my several
talks with you as to my resignation.
The substance of it, however, is this:
That on account of the lack of har-
mony at the State Hospital for the
Insane the patients must necessarily
suffer, and rather than be party to
such conditions l would prefer to re-
sign.
This morning l expressed my will
ingness to the board of regents to CO.
operate with them for the good of the
institution, and it is now for them to
saw whether we can unite our efforts
to this end. If there is not to be CO.
operation, then I desire to resign
from the superintendency of the
Hospital for the Insane. Yours very
respectfully,
(signed) ~. w. BABCOCK." ,
The governors reply follows:
columbia. S. c., March 13, 1914.
s'Dr. J. w. Babcock, Superinten-
dent State Hospital for the; Insane,
Columbia, S. C.-Dear Sir: Your re-
signation, rendered verbally on the
18th day of September, 1913, also
through Senators T. J. Mauldin and
T. J. Strait, and your written reslgna-
ton, bearing date March II, 1914,
have been received. After duly and
carefully considering the same your
resignation as superintendent of the
State Hospital for the Insane is here
by accepted. to take effect this day.
Very respectfully,
COLE. L. BLEASE,
Governor"
DIR. Saunders Leaves Also.
n