The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-02-25
Answers Her Detractors.

Thus Sleanora 3. saunders, NJ. D.,
the young woman physician at the
State Hospital for the Insane, We'd
nesday spoke to the special legisia-
tive committee that is investigating
the asylum. She was on the stand
for nearly two hours and in that
time demonstrated that she is one Of
the most important parts of the
States institution for the care of un-
fortunates. When she was making
her dramatic recital of the fight that
has been waged against her by the
men physicians and the governor OF
South Carolina in connection with the
asylum, tears came to her eyes for
minute, but she quickly regained her
composure and proceeded ably to de-
fend her position at every point. She
won the admiration of the large num-
Der of spectators and when the hear
ing was concluded, and even before,
when she would make telling points
in her defense, the crowd cheered
her.
Fey questions were asked By mem
bers Of the committee. DR.. Saunders
spoke rapidly and had documents in
the supreme court room to prove her
various statements. One by one she
dissected the various charges made
by the assistant physicians. There
were dissipated one by one.
Dr.. Saunders reviewed in detail her
work at the asylum, showing that the
best systems for the benefit Of the
patients have been installed in her
department. She told the committee
very plainly that she loved her work.
that she lived for her work, that she
had no other interests in life than
the care of the insane white women
of South Carolina and that her great
ambition was to build up every de-
partment Of the State Hospital for
the Insane. She said that If she had
trespassed on the rights Of other
members of the medical staff, 1t was
done unconscious;y and that whatever
was done was for the benefit of the
inmates. She showed no malice to-
ward any one and was not bitter in
her statements. She said that she
was merely making a plea for the vim
dication of her moral and professional
character.
No CrosS-eXamination.
When she had concluded her testi-
mony, Chairman Mauldin Of the COM
mittee asked if any of the members
Of the medical staff desired to cross
examine her. This question was re-
peated and the proceedings were halt
ed for several minutes. Not one re-
sponse was received.
would you like to make state
ment. DR.. Carouthers?" was the ques-
ton addressed to the chairman Of
the board of regents by the commit
tee.
"No." came the reply.
This ended the testimony Of Dr..
Saunders. Many rushed forward 70
grasp her hand and congratulate her
upon the manner Of her defense.
Following is the official stenc-
graphic report of the testimony of Dr.
Saunders in part:
As said. did not ask to remain.
asked for exoneration. This they
did not grant me. And I thought If
the governor did not intend to SIAN
der me. or if he did intend to slander
me. it was most unfair that he should
saw It was for my best interests to
cover it up and let it be at an end.
for I felt it was better for it to be in
the open. If there was scandal al
the hospital. that the woman ply
sician who had charge Of 500 patients
was guilty of immoral conduct. she
would foster 1t in her nurses and pa
tients. and vainly tried to tell ther,
that my efforts had been for the good
Of the place. and / vainly tried t.
tell them tha. had done no wrong
And think it was most unfair for
them to ask me to quietly retire and
leave men who we're not friendly tc
tell the reasons why.
Prosecutor and Judge.
I felt then and feel now that Il
Governor Blease had heard sufficient
remarks to justify his writing those
letters that he wrote, that he should
at least have said what the remark
was, from whence 1t came. and If hi
shnuld think that It was sufficient z