The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-31
When Bowman Files Serious
Objections to Appointments.
Succeeded by . Republican, L.
II. Sellers of OsawatOmie.
Choice Is Announced by Brooks
and Myers.

NldlInlng that the appointments at
the state hospitals for the insane, an
nounced today, were made without his
knowledge and consent, Harry c. Bow
man. minority member OF the board of
control, today addressed a letter to
John 3. Dawson. attorney general, al
ieging that the official records cover
ing the transactions are incomplete. He
charges that summary dismissals have
been made and that the Democratic
majority members of the board have
acted without giving him an opportun-
ity to express his opinion. He tells also
OF other alleged inaccuracies concerning
the appointments.
The resignation of b, F. Hawk as
superintendent of the Larned State
hospital for the insane. and the ap-
pointment OF L. r. Sellers. who has
been second assistant phi, stefan at the
Osawatomie state hospital. to succeed
him, was announced at the ONCE Of the
state board of control today. DR.. Sell
ers is Republican and has been in
service at Osawatomie for the last Is
years. 1t Is understood that his APP
pointment to the SUPPLEMENTARY at
Larned was given the approval Of Ar
thur Capper, g0vernor-elect. The
changes will be effective tomorrow. DR..
Sellers will continue the work of OPEN
ing the new hospital at Larned at the
same salary Of 81 300 year which he
has been drawing at Osawatomie.
This arrangement will effect a small
saving on the salary list while the
Larned institution is in its present I'M
finished stage" said Stance Myers of
the board of control today, land be
more in proportion to the responsible
ties of the position as compared with
the other institutions. The Larned su-
perintendent has been drawing $1,000
a year. the same salary as that given
other superintendents who have charge
OF many hundreds Of patients. DIR.
Sellers has had years of experience in
such work in Kansas and we believe he
will make good on his new job"
Another resignation and two appoint
ments have taken place at Osawatomie
where DR.. s. L. Brooking, first assistant
physician. has resigned to open a pri-
vate sanitarium
BOwman's Letter.
The Bowman letter to John 8. Dawson.
attorney general, reads:
Dear Sir: have heard that Superin-
tendent Carmichael Of the Osawatomie
state hospital dismissed DR.. Brooking.
first assistant physician. and DIR. Sellers.
their ages and the need OF younger men
IN the service; and that two young doctors
from other states have been recently APP
pointed to these positions. Civil service
Rule No. provides that appointees must
be actual residents of the state of Kansas
except in certain instances this rule may
be specifically suspended by the state
board Of control.
have indirectly learned that the ma
Jortty members OF the board have since
appointed DR.. Sellers as superintendent Of
the Larned state hospital, to take effect
January l. 1915. AS the new law. created
by you and a political committee, holds
me personally responsible for the acts Of
the majority members Of the board, I
want to know whether the new law"
only applies to matters at issue before
the committee. or II L am legally RESPONSE
BILE for the acts of the majority members
IN discharging Superintendent Hawk Of
the Larned state hospital without a hear
ing, II he has been discharged, and fer
the appointment of DR.. Sellers as superin-
tendent Of the Larned state hospital after
being dismissed from the service as assist
ant physician on account OF his advanced
age. There is no record OF these acts in
our office records.
1 also wish to inform you that have
recently learned that Acting Commandment
Hatton Of the State Soldiers Home un-
teen months-Juiy. ISIS. to August. '1 1sia.
inclusive-that no public moneys had been
received and that finally, in September.
into the matter. the law was compiled
with and the moneys received from certain
sales at this institution RENTED to the
treasurer Of the board.
notice that the letter-heads printed q
few days ago for the institution change
the official position of Mr. Hatton from
not Tnoo whathar 70 lbs co 1a9tarhnad 40 10
pointment of Mr.. HattOn commandant
is reward for having been able to
untruthfully certify as to moneys re-
cefved and not getting into trouble over
1t; or because Mr.. Hatton Is newspaper
man and is of the opinion that the find
ngs of the political committee have made
martyrs of the majority members OF tho
board. and that Mr.. Brooks would be tire
strongest Democratic candidate for gov
ernor in 1916. in case Governor Hodges Is
not candidate and that Mr.. Meyers
would make the strongest candidate for
state treasurer in 1916.
Very truly yours,
n0UNrAN