Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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■ im op vnavAmm ■'t Me ami Dr. CMflfai m la Orir JtoeUaff Via- If “I had no Ido* tbfln that Governor BIomo hod wltten anr lettora. We talked of It qalte late. I thonfhi of It all nlfht. We went down the next morning to the room. I had rend Governor Blenee’ji letter* .before I went Into the room end I thought they were most unjust. “And we went down to the meeting and, of course, the harrowing cir cumstances you already know. Of course I remember quite a little of it But certain remarks and the reading of those letter? of course burned into my whole being like burnished steel. I felt that they were most unjust and most untrue. And, in fact I consid ered the remarks of Dr. Griffln and letters of Governor Blease as slander. “I tried vainly to show them that day that what I had done was for the hospital's good, and if they had not objected previously, not given me warning, that it was rather unfair then not to give a chance-to even have an honorable discharge. ' *1 sinsisted to them that day that , , t I was not insisting on the retention nur8 ® 8 and fo / l my pat,en *' to havo of the position; that I simply wanted a clearing of the charge of even any Insinuation, of wrongdoing, morally or professionally, on my part." Answers Her Detractors. Thus Sleanora B. Saunders, M. D., the young woman physician at the State Hospital for the Insane, Wed nesday spoke to the special legisla 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 post important parts of the State’s institution for the care of un fortunates. When she was making her dramatic recital of the light that has been waged against her by the men physicians and the governor *>1 South Carolina in connection with the asylum, tears came to her eyes for a minute, but she quikkly regained her composure and proceeded ably to de fend her position at every point She won the admiration of the large num ber of spectators and when the hear ing was concluded, end even before, when she would make telling points In her defense, the crowd cheered her. Fey questions were asked by mem bers of the cdmmlttee. 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 werst 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 hate been Installed in her department. She told the committee very plainly that she loved her work, that she lived tor 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 trespaseed op the. rights of., other members of the medical staff, it was done unconsciously 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 mid that she was merely making a plea for the vin 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 a state ment, Dr. CaroutheraT” was the ques tion 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 19 grasp her hand and congratulate her vton the manner of her defense. Following Is the official graphic report of the testimony of Dr. Saunders la parte As I Mid, I did not ask to remain. 1 asked for exon oration. This they dfd not grant am. ' And I thought if did not intend to Man or If he did intend to slander unfair that he should my best interests to I let it be at aa end, was better tor lt to be lii If there was a scandal at the woman phy- I to Justify letters that he wrot* that he at least hart said whgt the waq, from whence it same, and u h * should think that It was suffldsat to cause all of the deceit women in tho State hospital to retire, that he should let me have a further explanation. I felt that It Was rfither unfair to me that the governor should act both as prosecutor and Judge In my ctfSe. And If the purpose of U>c meeting was complaints slid not charges, pa Dr. Csrouthsrs -has said, then I 'won der why Mr, Bivens said: (Reads the Bivens resolution finding thst tho charges were true and asking thst shs resign.) I felt to close the mutter .ion would be most unfair to ms, to my nurses and to my patients. I felt then, just as I do now, that the white women nurses is the hos pital’* most valuable asset. Not a Matter to Hush Up. I saw no reason why I should ac cept the accusation that T was the reason for the leaving of the Institu tion. by all of the decent women. I felt that up to this time the patients’ families had had conbdence in.me, that they had turned them over to my care, and J was unwilling to have anything occur to make them think leas of me Or to think me unworthy, that Is, without a fair trial, which I feel that I did not get. I felt then, aa I do now, that It was the fairest thing for me, for my the matter out la open public. I was rather wounded to hear that people would think that because 1 cared for certain diseases that I am unwomanly, I feel that.if women have to suffer, it is nothing short of humane for some to help. As I say,-1 regarded the letters written by Governor Blease and the remarks of Dr. Griffin as an attack upon my moral character, and I was not willing to allow a shadow to re main on my character; hence I de manded of the board of regents an in vestigation that would clear my good name. - a I felt they refused me an honor able discharge. I felt that they had not given mo a fair trial. And I felt it my duty to let them know at that time, not wait six months later and tell them that I was not satisfied with their decision. Seeks Only Exoneration, And I again insisted that* was not contending then, as I am not con tending now, for m'y retention, for my position, as woriian physician at.fhe State hosplal; but I am contending for my reputation. I want to say now, aa 1 tried to say then, that what I did wps for the good of the patients, in my own department first, in other departments later, and I felt in so doing that 1 have done no more than any other woman in my place would have done. , I want to repeat that I am not con tending for retention of the position which I have held for the last seven years, but I am pleading for my vin dication and my exoneration. We will publish the balance of Dr. Saunders’ testimony In our next is sue, as we want our readers to have all the facta in the case of thla noble jonng woman, who haa beea most shamefully treated by Gov. Blease and others. 1 i — DR. GLINK8OAI1E8 ACTIVE. Letting People *»now He’s in Race (or Governor. ■ ^ ..i- Of the various candidates for gov ernor of South Carolina to succeed Cole L. Blease probably none Is more active than Dr. John G. Cllnkscales, professor of mathematics at Wofford college. Dr. Cllnkscales has just concluded *n extelsive trip In the Pee Dee section, where he was greeted by larg audiences. He dedard that he was getting to be better known as a candidate for governor than as a professor at Wofford. He delivered addresses at Dillon, Btshopvllls and Latta and was well received. “Wherever I go,” said Dr. Clink- scales, “I get expressions of best wishes for my candidacy and I count my strength from almost every class.” Dr. Cllnkscales’ campaigning, which is carrying him nil over the State, has not been permitted by him to Interfere with his work at Wof ford. He, delivered twelve speeches In January without mining n class. He addressed the Woodmen of the World at Plodmont on Saturday and on Sunday preached at Beaumont Methodist church. Dr. Cllnkscales Is running for governor on n compul sory education platform. Lynching In Mississippi. Stopping n train near Love, Miss., Into Monday, n nob forced the sher iff to deliver to tbhm a negro accused of murdering a white planter. Ho was hanged from a nearby trestle. TAYL61 TESTIFIES of Board of Regents Tell* of Exeenttve Session, From Which Dr. Saunders' Lawyer, Her Father and Stenographer, Were Excluded on Motion of Governor Dies**. That Governor Please, In executive session of the board of regents of the State Hospital for the Insane, ou December 12, 1913. by word and manner, cast insinuation nnd Insult on Dr. Eleanors 13. Saunders, woman physician at the asylum, was testi fied to Tuesday afternoon before the asylum investigating committee, by Dr. Julius H. Taylor of Columbia, member of the board of regents, who was present throughout the entire executive session. Not alone the pro fessional standing, but the character -of Dr. Saunders, were brought into question by the governor time and again by the Insinuating nature of the questions which ho asked and the statement .which he made, said Dr. Taylor. The fact that, In his opinion, Dr. Saunders’ personal chara.'ier had been attacked was the reason, said Dr. Taylor, why he would not vote for a resolution, introduced and adopted, stating that no personal chargee had been made, and that it was for the best interests of the lady and everybody else concerned that the Investigation begun at that time be dropped. Dr. Taylor stated that, In his opinion, the character of the woman physician had, been brought into question and that the wording of the resolution- implied' that an In vestigation might substantiate the charges. Dr. Taylor paid high tribute to the character of Dr. Saunders as a woman and as a physician, declaring that she was ’’head and shoulders above any other subordinate member of the medical staff”. All of the charges made by her felloe physi cians at the executive session, “were absolutely puerile,” said Dr. Taylor, who explained that they related to removing a table from a certain room, use of a typewriter, and siml lar allegations. “Yet unconsciously every physician who testified there against her paid the most magnificent tribute to her worY and her ability,” 'Bald Dr. Taylor. As -to the executive session. Dr. Taylor said that every one except members of the board of regents, Col. John K. Anil, private secretary to the governor, and members of the asylum medic?! staff were excluded on mo tion of Governor Blease. Among those excluded Inder this order, he said, were lawyers for Dr. Saunders, her father and her stenographer, Mr. A. M. Deal. “The whole meeting was surcharg ed with an atmosphere of insinua tions against Dr. Saunders,” said Dr. Taylor, who told of questions asked by Governor Blease, In his opinion. Involving the character of the lady physician. There were so frequently and so Inaiatently made, said Dr. Tay lor, that Dr. Saunders burst into -tears, as" he thought any other lady' would have done under the circum stance*. t 4. Dr. Taylor stated that It was his impression that the statement by Dr. 'Griffin, in reply to a question, that Dr. Saunders “is supposed to be a single woman”, had been made in an inainuating tone. Dr< Griffin has de- nled to the committee that he In tended any reflection whatever on the moral character of Dr. Sauffders by the use of that phrase. After the meeting had proceed for •ome time, testified Dr. Taylor, Mr, Bivens drew a paper from his pocket and introduced It aa a resolution, condemning Dr. Saunders and Dr. Babcock for continuing to >ermit the visits of Dr. Cooper to the asylum after he had failed of re-election. Dr. Taylor said that he expressed strong condemnation of the resolution, and moved that Dr. Saunders and Dr. Babcock be exonerated, but there was no second to his motion. At n later meeting of the board, testified Dr. Taylor, Mr. O. L.. Saaut. ders came and requeued that the hearing be re-opened for the sake of Introdncing testimony in support of his daughter. He Mid be moved to re-open the matter, hut the board re futed to do so, passing tho resolution to tho effoet that no charges had been preferred against the character of Dr. Sounder*. Since ho had hoon connected with the asylum for eight years, said Dr. Taylor, he had never heard a single circumstance reflecting on Dr. Saun ders’ character. Dr. Taylor stated that he had known much of her work nnd the work of tho Institution aa n whole, for the reason that be lives in Colnmbla, and, as n member Br. inandon kept _ i of every Me of her stx hundred patients, nnd gave other instances of -bar signal and interest hi her. work. Dr. Taylor, In tho couree of his testimony, took occasion to pay a hick tribute to tho work of Dr. Coop er, the Hospital pathologist, whom tho hoard did not re-elect at the Joly meeting, and Dr. Babcock, the super intendent. That Dr. Saunders in handing ob jectionable diseases at the asylum did only what every other woman physician does, and that it was her duty to do so, were other statements made by Dr. Taylor. “She ia not In the least degree less womanly for at tending to these cases,” said Dr. Tay- lor. ^ Asked as to what steps should be takep' to restore scientific manage* ment at the hospital, Dr. Taylor said; “Wipe out the board of regents.” It was his opinion that no institution could be scientifically managed .with a system of dual government, and that all power should be vested in the superintendent. He thought the Vir ginia plan Ideal, which provides a legislative committee, which receives the report of the superintendent and consults with him at his request, \>ut which has no powers. Dr. Taylor, in the beginning pf his testimony, stated that there was fric tion among the members of the ooard of regents and among the members of the asylum medical staff. There had been no unpleasantness on the former board on which he served, he stated, and the cause of the trouble here seemed to be in the attitude of the other members of the board toward himself. He related how an alleged incident of unkind treatment toward a patient had been generally consid ered by the other members of the boardr-hut he had not been informed of the occurrence. All complaints from members of the asylum medical staff had been made to other mem bers of the board than himself, he said. Dr. Taylor told how, on one occa sion,- three members of the board met at a Columbia hotel, and he later asked why he was not asked to be present, and was told that they hadn’t thought to send for mhj^ though, said Dr. Taylor, they later told the investigating committee that they had not sent for him because of the well known friendship between himself, Dr. Babcock and Dr. Saun ders. "I objected to their sinuous course in this matter,* said Dr. Tay lor. Dr. Taylor said that he had known of the friction on the medical staff for some time, and-on several occa sions wanted the board of. regents to call for the resignation of certain physicians, who, he felt, were insu bordinate to Dr. Babcock, but Dr. Babcock protested against any action being taken. WALKERS PLEAD GUILTY. Sentenced for Killing Allendale Chief of Police. The case of the State against J. F. Walker and Ben. Walker was called for trial at Hampton Monday and the defendants through their attorneys announced their readiness to proceed to trial and the trial was commenced. The Walkers were charged with the killing of J. B. Harter, chief o( po lice of Allendale, at Leila, in Hamp ton County last September. The shooting of Mr. Harter attracted much talk and newspaper comments from a news and editorial standpoint just after tbs occurrence. When the court was called together and the defendants, upon being ar raigned, entered pleas of guilty of manslaughter which pleas were ac cepted by the- solicitor and approved by the court and sentences were pass ed, whereby J. F. Walker, was sen fenced to the public works of Hamp ton county for a period of ten years and hia son, Ben. Walker, was sen fenced to the public work* of Hamp ton county for-a period of live years. An unusual Interest was manifested In this case there being on the court yard and in the court room a great crowd of people, about 100 of whom were witnesses. hf regents made frw-Ffhe windewTUMf "’Sltpoed through. > Hi* asylum. striking the ground on his chin. The department sinre I havo A. No, sir. Q. There J»ave been oy< on foi'* different things, them myself. As t o there? ♦ LEAPS FROM WINDOW. Train Negro Jumps From Fifty Miles an Hour, * Moving Tipple L«wis, a negro. Convicted of murder in Emanuel county, Ga., in 1912, who escaped from Swainsboro jail -on Christmas was probably total ly injured when he jumped from a fast train on the Atlantic Coast Lin* near Florence, Thnreday, while being retained to Georgia. He was located some time ago In Camden. N. J. Dep uty Sheriff B. L. Carrie of Dublin went to Camden for him, had requi sition papers signed Wednesday and started home. He snspected the ne gro, “irho U desperate, ef trying plan an escape at Richmond and p leg irons on him Just before reach! Florence, while arranging to change CO an August? , train, Lewis .raised No need to send to the fig itfa order house* tor what you want. We have it her* at the same price—if not cheap er. Yep owe us a trial anyway. Send a list of what you requiremand let us figure on it We have specially laid our selves out to execute mail orders apd you may tely Offi prompt attention- ■ LORICK & LOWRANCE, INC.,' HARDWARE COLUMBIA, S. C. ISDEUGHTS ON ASYLUM STEVENSON ROASTS BIVENS AT HEARING. Assistant Physician Fulmer Takes Exception to Dr. Taylor’s Stato- merft but Latter Holds Hie Ground. We givejbeknv two Interesting ers of the tug’a crew Thursday walk* tracts from the stenographic report of last Tuesday’s hearing of the asy lum investigation. Mr. J. D. Bivens one of the regents was on the stand Tuesday. Following is a part of his examination: Mr. ’ Bivens: Mr. Chairman, I want to make a statement before that sir. That the puestions—that I will only answer any puestlon that is per tinent or germane to the main pues- tion. There are some questions that they may ask that I am not going to answer positively. I want to be plain and I want you all to under stand me. .1 think this—I think It would have beee the proper thing for Dr. Saunders to have her lawyer in here. She is a lady and she may bring out questions and the reply may be harsher than it ought to be. So for that reason I think she ought to have her lawyer*, /Mr. Stevenson: Mr. Chairman, I mink the committee will be in a bet ter position to do the determining as to what is relevant and it is not the business-of the witness to do that, Courts usualy determine that—-what is relevant and pertinent. Later-in the hearing: Mr. Stevenson: The witness stat ed that he thought Dr. Saunders ought to have her lawyer here? Mr. TJTVgns: How is that, sir? Mr. Stevenson: Did I understand you to say that you thought Dr. Saunders ought" to have a lawyer here to represent her? Mr. Bivens: I understand that Dr. Saunders had » lawyer. Mr. Stevenson: Do you think she needs it any wose than she did at that executive session? Mr. Bivens: No. sir, I do not sup pose. Mr. Stevenson: Why did the board exclude him then, if she needs it now? Mr. Bivens: My reason for that is this, that Dr. Saunders is a lady and TUG IN ICE’S GRIP. Thirty-Six Men on Vessel Caught Off Newfoundland. The American naval tug Potomac which came to the paters of Bonne Bay, N. F., to rescue two herring fish ing craft, caught in the Ice at Bay of Islands, Is gripped so firmly in an Ice floe herself that the chance of her getting away before spring is consid ered small. The first officer and oth- ed ashore to Lobster HeW light sta tion. They reported her hard and fast three miles off Rocky Harbor. \ All the thirty-six men of the Po tomac are well, but coal and provl- * sions arq running low. In order to replenish their supplies the landing ^ party cam? to Bonne Bay and will drag sledloads of food back over the ice. The crews of the Francis Wil lard and the Hiram Lowell, the two schooners which were caught Ice at Bay of Islands, remain hoard, but are considered in no dam*, ger, as they can reach the shore over the ice pack. HO lwo ,^ in aln RESCUED AT SEA* Revenue Cutter Saves Seven Char lee- ton Negroes From Death. Coming into Charleston harbor Thursday afternoon for mail, the-rev enue cutter Yamacraw, Capt. Hen derson, sighted seven negroes on the South Jetty. They were members of the crew of the gasoline fishing smack Seaflsh, which had drifted on the rocks after her engines had brok en down. The unfortunate fisher men were waving shirts, oilskins and other articles of wearing apparel when-the Yamacraw hove in sight Nearing the Jetty Capt. Henderson ordered a Surf boat to he manned for the rescue of the hegroes.' Because of the northeast gale and the rough seas, the men in the surf boat Vad considerable difficulty in reaching the rocks. The Seaflsh is said to have been an independent fishing smack and to have been owned by “Lucky” Smith and “Sonny” Simmons, both of them colored. They are said to have been among the seven aboard when the craft, which they purchased about a month ago, was wrecked. When the Seaflsh struck the rocks the fisher men clambered on the rocks. They if they are going through a quis it isi ha< * 8tand f° r more than an hour preferable coming through a lawyer, because the reply may be a little harsh and I would not— Mr. Stevenson: But when uhe ia on trial yon think It is bettor hot to have a lawyer—and then you are the jury? Mr. Bivens: I think it would he a good plan to have a lawyer along with them. ' At the afternoon session last Tues day Dr. Fulmer, ASklstaut physician at the State HospitaL for the Insane in the water before the Yamacraw, at about 4:45 o’clock, rescued them. The men all suffered somewhat from exposure, and said their hour on the rocks seemed like a very much longer' period. body was removed from the blazing and Df. Juirui krTaylor, a regenToft 1 ™*™® by lh ® »» 0,rc ®- the Institution had an intereattog -t- chanfe of words. Following is the stenographic report of' a part of their testimony. derSaunsP. -saote Dr. Fulmer: I want to know if Dr. Taylor knows about fhy medical career? Dr. Taylor: No sir. Q. Have I ever been called into a case with you? A. No, sir,. Q. Why dp yoh state that Dr. Saun ders is head and shoulders show every other doctor in the instlftitlon? A. .because I believe her to be. Q. Why? I know the work she has done, doctor and I know some thing of your work. Q. Have you ever been In the col ored female departnent to see what records 1 have? A, I said qo far a* I know you have no record*. ^ Q. Have you been'over there to see? A. No, sir, I haven’t seen your records. j * Q. As far as operating, have you ever done any operating for the white female department? A. Yes.' Q. I do not recall for tho oolored male. ,Q. White male? A. Yes. Q. Have yon done in; the oolored SO miles on hourr the polntj YUatfl* to brlag oufer^why Mrs. Feace Osrrtor gfiot imd woun<i-~" Lewis was picked (you mode the statement that she Is ed her husband, awealthy planter, la duel to their , home n'eer Oolnee- 0*. Certer was advancing on with aa axe whee shot a See Blazing Funeral. ^ ^ - ■ The sight of an automobile heararfa containing a body and ablaso fror jp end to end, attracted 2,000 pedes-"*^ trians of New York Thursday. Tho Convicts Faithful to Trust. Only one of the 52 convicts sent to the “honor camp” at Grand De tour, 111., to build a road, was false to f bis trust, having attempted to smuggle a flask of whiskey into his tent. For Hog Cholera Fight. Representative Lever, under aye- pension of the rules Monday has the bouse pass his bill appropriating $500,000 for the extermination of hog cholera and $100,000 for serum. Tbe bill bos already passed the senate. by Col. Aull . Dr. Fulmer then asked Dr. Taylor what e based his opinion on. . To which Dr. Taylor replied • “Well, doctor, I ave seen and heard you in the Columbia Medical society and I have come In contact with you for ,the last few years and I have seen Dr. Saunders and her work, and I repeat my statement that ahe is head and sou Id ers above any member of the staff.” Two Die in Fierce Battle. Marion Bara, * deputy constable, was killed, Tneker '*'•**1 and I,ouls Larramore, constables, were wound ed, and Edward Tyson, a negro, was killed in a battle near De Soto, o» Q how you. IThat is just about Wife Shoot* Armed Husband.