The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1914-03-17
BABCOCK RESIGNS:
7. J. STRAIT NAMED
Lancaster Senator New Head of
Insane Asylum.
DIR. SAUNDERS QUITS ALSO.
DIR. j. l.. Thompson Temporarily I'm
Charge OF Institution Until DIR.
Strait Qualities.

Charge OF Institution Until DIR.
Strait Qualities.
Columbia Special to Charleston
News and Courier. March 13.-Gov-
ernor Blease today accepted the resig-
nation OF DR.. James w. Babcock as
superintendent OF the state hospital
for the Insane, and appointed in his
stead DR.. T. ]. Strait. of Lancaster,
This turn in the events OF the Asylum
came as climax to the two-day's ses-
eion OF the board OF regents.
DR.. Babcock became superintendent
or the asylum by appointment Of Gov
ornor Tillman, August 13, 1891 DR..
Strait 10 the Senator from Lancaster
County and was member OF the leg
islattve committee that conducted the
recent Investigation into the Affairs at
the State Hospital.
Governor Bleaae was asked who
ther 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 oficial
correspondence between himself and
those at the Asylum, since the letters
are public record which any one is
entitled to see. His secretary furnish
ed the copies OF the ofIicial correspon-
dence and the official notice to the
Secretary of State indicating the ap-
pointmelt OF DR. Strait as the new sup
erintendent.
DR.. ]. L. Thompson, the first asis-
tant physician at the Asylum, will
have temporary charge of the institu-
ton until DR. Strait qualities as sup
eriptendent.
DIR. BABCOCK'S LETTER.
DR.. Babcock's letter to Governor
Blease was as follows:
Columbia, s. c., March 12, 1914
'The Hon Cole i. Blease Governor,
Columbia, S. C.-Dear Sir: / desire
Ato acknowledge rekeipt of your letter
OF March IL requesting me to put in
writing what you have stated to me
verbally in reference to your rcsigna-
ton In order that may take il up
with the board of regents OF the State
Hospital for the Insane at o'clock
this afternoon" 1t Is rather difficult
as, of course, you must appreciate to
be entirely accurate as to what trans
pired in my several talks with you as
to my resignation. The substance of 1t
however, is this: That on account Of
the lack of harmony at the State Hos
pital for the Insane the patients must
necessarily suffer, and rather than be
a party such conditions / would pre-
], fer to design.
= This morning / expressed my will
ingness to the board OF regents to CO.
operate with them for the good of
the institution, and 1t is now for them
to say whether we can unite our eff
forts to this end. If there is not to
be cooperation, then I desire to resign
from the suberintendency of the
Hospital for the Insane. Yours very
respectfully,
(Signed) ~. w. Babcock."
Governor Blease's reply follows:
Columbia, 8. c., March 13, 1914
"Dr j. w. Babeock, superintendent
State Hospital for the Insane, Colum-
bia, S. C.-Dear Sir: Your resigna-
tioa, rendered verbally on the 18th
day of September, 1913 also through
Senators T. Mauldin and T. ]. Strait
and your written resignation, bear
ing date March 10, 1914, have been
sSreceived. After duly and carefully con
sldering the same your resignation as
superintendent OF the State Hospital
for the Insane is hereby accepted to
take effect this day. Very respectful
ly.
"Cole l.. Blease, Governor"
DIR. SAUNDERS LEAVES ALSO.
DR.. Eleanora Saunders. woman ply
sician at the State Hospital for the
Insane, resigned to the board OF re-
gents this afternoon, and her resigna-
ton was accepted. She will remain at
the institution for few days until
her successor Is chosen. No action was
taken as to the State Park.
1t was announced tonight that she
AID Dr. Babcock will open a private
sanitarium In Columbia for the treat
ment of nervous diseases.
Governor Blease has written DR..
Thompson a letter, and also one to
Can't Bunch, secretary of the board OF
regents. The letters follows:
Columbia, s. c., March 13, 1914.
"Dr. ]. L. Thompson, irst Assistant
Physi clan, State Hospital for the In
saae-Dear Sir: DR.. j. w Babcock
having resigned as superintendent OF
the State Hospital for the Insane, and
his resignation having been accepted
this day, you are hereby instructed
and requested to take temporary
charge as acting superi1tedent OF said
institution, to serve until a permanent
superintendent is appointed. You will
please advise this day with the board
OF regents In reference TO your work
and any Information or advice which
- can give you In reference TO any
matters connected Herewith you are
at liberty to ask, and IL will be my
pleasure to comply. Yours respectful
"Cole l.. Blease, Governor"
columbia, s. c.. March 13, 1914.
"Capt J. w. Bunch, Secretary board
A of Regents, State Hospital for the In
" sant--Dear Sir: I have accepted the