The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-08
BLEASE FURNISHES
REAL SENSATION
Threatens to Put Witness in Hos
pital Inquiry Where He
Cannot Talk.
SENATOR TILLMAN ON STAND
Governor Hopes to Have All
Convicts Out Of Pcnitentiary
by August l.

Columbia, S. c.. February Tile
long expected sensation in connection
With the Legislative investigation of the
state Hospital for the Insane occurred
this afternoon while DR. j. w. Ban
cock, superintendent Of tho hospital.
was on the stand. DR.. Bnbcock had to
be pressed by the investigating com
nittee TO tell what no knew about
rumored reports affecting DIR. Saunders.
his assistant. who is woman. In re-
ply. he began to relate a conversation
which he said occurred at the home of
Governor Bleasc's sister. When DR..
I}abcock reached the word "sistcr,"
Governor Bleasc. who was present at
the Inquiry, sprang 20 his feet with
tho exclamation, This Is false The
Governor then forbade DR.. Babcock
10 drag his sisters name into 1t.
threatening to put him where no could
not talk II he did SO Governor Blcase
was then sworn and took tho witness
stand
The Governor stated that he hoped to
have all convicts freed from the State
Peniteu;iary here by August !, 1914,
and he urged that the prison be con-
Nertcd Into n tuberculosis hospital for
negroes. lie stated fatty that he would
veto any appropriation for the further
development OF the SANDY bottom
lands" at State Park, where It IS pro-
posed 10 establish the new hospital
for the insane. IIc regarded the ef-
fort 10 enact legislation AUTHORIZING
tho salc OF the hospital property in
Columbia as a steal"
IT came Into the office OF Governor
three years ago determined TO GUST
Babcock." he said. because he was
n traitor 10 James II Tillman during
his trial at Lexington. s. G.. for the
murder OF Gonzales ton years ago"
''Dr. Saunders Is unnecessarily inter
Gcial OF the asylum. and is to-day the
bone OF contention between DR.. Bah
cock. the hoard OF regents and the
Governor. and should be removed" he
asserted.
He told the women TO leave the room
ut tho opening OF his address. because
ne was going uso some very plain
language" They left.
He reviewed In detail the turbulent
situation surrounding the hospital Of
hcidls for tho past several years, and
made many caustic comments. Con
siderable politics was injected into his
remarks.
u had no information that the asy-
lum property would be solid; was n
Kind OF guess, declared Senator TILL
man when no took the stand.
In letter 10 n prominent person
in this State MIR. Tiilman had stated
that he was Informed "Blcase and his
satellites would try TO manipulate the
sale Of the property OF the State Hos
pital for the Insane"
Representative Stephenson conducted
the inquiry
Mr. Hiilman stated that Dr. i. v
Babcock. superintendent OF the hos
pital, was tho person who Informed
him that AN effort would be made 10
bcsmlrch the name and character Of
Or Babcock and his assistant. DR..
Saunders, who IS woman. The eN-
animation OF Senator Till,nan was
concluded in short order. his testimony
BEING entirely devoid OF the sensa-
tional
DR.. nabcock one of the central fig
ures in the INQUIRY. followed Senator
'Tlllman on tho witness stand He
stated that the board OF regents 1T the
hospital had in T. way !nterfered with
his work and the harmonious operation
OF tho ngylum by promulgating n rule
by which they could elect his sub
ordinatcs. In speaking OF DR.. Saund
ors. whose resignation was At one time
asked for b. the regents. DR.. Dabcock
declared that he regarded her as the
best officer OF tho institution. and last
year personally urged Governor Blease
TO rcappoint her. DR. Babcock then
related I'm detail the incidents which
led up TO the demand OF Governor
Bleasc In November, 1913, that DIR.
Saunders he removed. II was a recital
OF conflicting Influences and OF al
legged indiscreet acts OF certain physi-
clans at the hospital