The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1922-12-29

hayne declined to serve for ethical
reasons, until Governor Harvey asked
that he comply with Mr.. Gsdsdsn'sI
request
"The conference assembled at III
a. m, and remained in session until
$3.50 p. m, with an adjournment Of
one and one-hah hours for lunch.
After thorough examination into
the various rooms and departments
Of the hospital, including wards,
kitchens, porches, close confinement
rooms, and any and all portions Of
the institution, including the going
among each and every class Of pa
tients, Governor Harvey asked Mr..
Gadsden If he was Satisfied with the
inspection Of the physical plant, and
if there were any dark corners or
portions not inspected. Mr.. Gadsden
expressed his satisfaction with, what
had been done.
"Mr. Gadsden stated that he had
three complaints to make, namely:
(1) That large number Of patients
were confined in the hospital, with
out proper commitments, in that acc
ton 1917 of the code Of 1912 had been
ignored, and that patients were de-
tanned in the institution more than
ten days after the first meeting OF the
board of regents subsequent TO their
admission, without full examination
Of their states Of mind by the raedi-
cal attendant or attendants and snot
less than two Of tho regents.
"(2) That patients were unlaw.
fully detained because they had not
been legally committed and that the
proper record Of the parole or dis
charge Of the patients is not made;
that patients in the hospital were not
properly treated.
"(3) That patients were denied, to
| an unreasonable extent, the right to
receive letters and write letters.
"Upon the governor asking II he
desired any papers or commitments
brought before the COMMITTEES, Mr..
Gadsden asked for five, four Of which
were produced, (the other, Of q pa.
tient who had been committed eigh-
teen years ago being misplaced).
These papers were examined, and
while lacking in technical points, the
committee found nothing to indicate
any miscarriage Of justice, rights or
privileges
"Mr. Gadsden was then asked II he
desired any Of the inmates brought
before the committee, and he named
w. G. (Gould) Morrow and Dominick
Cherry. These men were brought be-
fore the committee and were ques'
toned by Mr.. Gadsden, and later by
one of the attending physicians, and
in the unanimous opinion Of the COM
mittee (as l}ymen) it was felt that
these patieyts were proper asubject:
] for the hotpital. :,
!, "The legislature Of this sstsse, II
t1919, aj6pted a resolution providing
for a q Smplete revision Of the laws re
latin1 to the hospital, believing tina
isamd would result in material bene
| fit I'd the institution and its inmates
F! +! one. ssss5a sa|ag gIna that q ssan'sss: 9
i'll hous1 be appointed and directed
n make q thorough study. Of oil the laS
ut and regulations relating to the inst
L. tuition, and report at the next sessit
,g of the legislature. (See page e6l a
n Volume 31> Of the Statutes Of Sou
,g Carolina).
~ "On the 6th day Of March, 1921,
We act providing for the management %
control of ,>tEis institution was
nd proved by thel governor, after havi
en- ksa8yNssed by the general assemb
ng M 2ge 7O4, Volume 81, Statu'
of ofVSs6th Carolina).
Ii eve are satisfied that the requil
IL ments of section 1917 Of the code
1912 have, in many eases, not be
as technically observed. HowevsI, 1t
d. the duty of the peace officers OF d
nv ate, and the State Hospital autho
err ties. to protect the public from d
nae gerous lunatics, even If the technl
it -eouirements Of the law, as aforesa
in Ave not been strictly observed. II
the to be borne in mind that In the nj
er ding of this class Of the states war
frequently the literal and technical
tu- ouirements of the law must OF nee
ard sity be violated.
ave are of the opinion that un
ood the laws as now existing, (the l
,cts Acts) it is too easy to commit
the tents to the hospital. We believe
re. The lawshoul d be such as to max
possible, without serious delay
and trouble, to have a party consigned
in the hospital, but that within ten q
ads after the next monthly meeting OF
oortI Board of Regents, and before the
tient is permanently entered, 9,
this effort should be made to demonst
fel. beyond possibility Of error that
,ub. party is rightfully held by mee
examination, and by notifying m
bers of the family and.sh" ret
dav. of all facts connected with the
60 Uo hekeye the law requiring pati