The Horry herald. (Conway, S.C.) 1886-1923, February 26, 1914, Image 4
DEFENDS HERSELF
? ^ I
1>R. SAUNDERS AKRAK1NS HER
VII.K HIJANDKHKHS.
BLEASE AMONG NUMBER
She Says She Regards Remarks of
Governor Rlease ami l)r. Griflln as
Slanders ami is Only Seeking Vindication
of ller Character, Personal
and Professional.
"I had no idea then that Governor
Bleaso had witten any letters. Wo
talked of it quite late. I thought of
it all night. We went down tho next
morning to tho room. I had read
Governor Rlease's letters .before I
went into tho room and I thought
they were most unjust.
"And we went down to the meeting
and, of course, tho harrowing circumstances
you already know. Of
course I remember quite a littlo of it.
Rut certain remarks and the reading
of those letters of course burned into
my whole being like burnished steel.
1 felt that they were most unjust and
most untrue. And, in fact I considered
the remarks of Dr. Griflln and
letters of Governor Rleaso as slander.
HT I ? 1 -- 1 ^ ' ? 1 *
i ii iuii viinuy m Biiow mem inai
day that what I had done was for
the hospital's Rood, 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 nn honorable discharge.
"I sinsisted to them that day that
I was not insisting on the retention
of the position; that 1 simply wanted
a clearing of the chargo of even any
insinuation, of wrongdoing, morally
or professionally, on my part."
Answers Her Detractors.
Thus Sleanora It. Saunders, M. 1).,
the young woman physician at the
State Hospital for tho Insane, Wednesday
spoke to the special legislative
committee that is investigating
tho asylum. She was on the stand
for nearly two hours and in that
time demonstrated that sho is one of
the most important parts of tho
State's institution for tho care of unfortunates.
When sho was making
her dramatic recital of tho ilght that
haB been waged against her by tho
men physicians and tho governor of
South Carolina in connection with the
asylum, tears came to her eyes for a
minute, but sho quickly regained her
composure and proceeded ably to defend
her position at every point. She
won the admiration of the large number
of spectators and when the hearing
was concluded, and even before,
when Bho would make telling points
In her defense, the crowd cheered
her.
Fey questions were asked by members
of the committee. Dr. Saunders
spoke rapidly and had documents in
the supreme court room to prove hoi
various statements. One by one slu
dissected the various charges made
by the assistant physicians. There
were dissipated ono by ono.
Dr. Saunders reviewed in detail hei
work at tho asylum, showing that the
i . best systems for tho benefit of the
patients have been installed in hei
department. She told tho committee
very plainly that she loved her work
that she lived for her work, that she
had no other interests in life thar
the care of the insane white womer
of South Carolina and that her greai
ambition was to build up every de
partment of the State Hospital foi
the Insane. Sho said that if she hac
trespassed on the rights of othei
members of tho medical staff, it was
done unconsciously and that whatevei
_ J A ... if 4 i. ? ? ../ii . r it. .
wits uouu was ior uio uciieui 01 m<
Inmates. She showed no malice to
ward any one and was not .bitter Ir
) her statements. She said that sh<
was merely making a plea for the vln
dlcatlon of her moral and professions
character.
No Cross-examination.
! When she had concluded her test!
mony, Chairman Mauldln of the com
mittee asked if any of the member:
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 mako a state
ment, Dr. Carouthers?" was the ques
tion addressed to the chairman o
the board of regents by the commit
tee.
"No." came the reply.
This ended the testimony of Dr
Saunders. Many rushed forward i(
grasp her hand and congratulate he
upon the manner of her defense.
Following is the official stone
graphic report of the testimony of Di
Saunders in part:
As I said, I did not ask to remair
I asked for exoneration. Thla the
did not grant me. And I thought j
the governor did not Intend to slari
der me, or if he did Intend to Bland*1
me. It wub moat unfair that ho Bhoul
Bay It was for my best Interests t
cover It up and let It be at an en'
for I felt It was better for it to bo i
the open. If there was a scandal a
the hospital, that the woman ph}
slclan who had charge of 600 pattern
was guilty of immoral conduct, sh
would foster It In her nurses and pi
\ tlents, and I vainly tried to tell thei
| that my efforts had been for the goo
of tho place, and I vainly tried t.v
tell them that I had done no wrong.
And I think it was moat unfair for
them to ask mo to quietly retire and
leave men who were jot friendly to
tell the reasons why.
Prosecutor and Judge.
I felt then and I feel now that if
Governor Bleaso had heard sufficient
remarks to justify his writing those
letters that he wrote, that ho should
at least have said what tho renia-k
was, from whenco it came, and if he
should think that it was sufficient to
cause all of tho decent women in tho
Stato hospital to retire, that he should
let me have a further explanation.
I felt that it was rather unfair to
mo that the governor should act both
as prosecutor and judge in my case.
And if tho purpose of tho meeting
was complaints and not charges, as
I>r. Carouthers has said, then 1 wonder
why Mr. Bivens said: (Heads
tho Bivens resolution finding that the
charges were true and asking that
she resign.)
I felt to close tho matter Jen
would be most unfair to me, to my
nurses and to my patients.
I felt then, just as I do now, that
the white women nurses is the hospital's
most valuable asset.
Not a Matter to Hush Pp.
1 saw no reason why I should accept
tho accusation that 1 was the
reason for tho leaving of the institu
nun uy an in 1110 uecent women. 1
felt that up to this time tho patients'
families had had confidence in me,
that they had turned them over to
my care, and I \va< unwilling to have
anything occur to make them think
loss of mo or to think mo unworthy,
that is, without a fair trial, v hlch I
feel that 1 did not get.
I felt then, as I do now, that it was
tho fairest thing for me, for my
nurses and for my patients, to have
tho matter out in open public.
I was rather wounded to hear that
peoplo 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, I regarded tho letters
written by Governor Mease and tho
remarks of l)r. Griflln as an attack
upon my moral character, and I was
not willing to allow a shadow to remain
on my character; hence 1 demanded
of the board of regents an Investigation
that would clear my good
name.
1 felt they refused mo an honorable
discharge. 1 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 T was not satisfied
with their decision.
Seeks Only Exoneration.
, And I again insisted that I was not
. contending then, as I am not con.
tending now, for my retention, for my
position, as woman physician at tho
State hospial; but I am contending
I for my reputation. I want to say
now, as I tried to say then, that what
. I did was for the good of the patients,
, in my own department tlrst, in other
L departments later, and I felt in su
- doing that 1 have done no more than
nnv nllifir wnmnn In mv nlnnn wrkiilil
- ,? "V 1WWV4.XI
3 havo clone.
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.
Wo will publish the balance of Dr.
Saunders' testimony in our next issue,
as wo want our readers to have
all the facts in the case of this noble
young woman, who has .been most
shamefully treated by Gov. lllease
and others.
,
I)R. CLINKSCALES ACTIVE.
?
Fretting People a.now lie's in Race
for Governor.
Of the various candidates for gov
ernor of South Carolina to succeec
Cole L. Bleaso probably none is .more
^ activo than Dr. John G. Clinkscales
- professor of mathematics at Wofforc
1 college. Dr. Clinkscales has jus
concluded an exteisivo trip in the Pec
Deo section, where ho was greetec
- by larg audience3. .He declard tha
- ho was getting to bo better known a:
s a candidate for governor than as i
- professor at Wofford. Ho deliverec
- addresses at Dillon, Bishopvillo anc
- Latta and was well received.
"Wherever I go," said Dr. Clink
scales, "I get expressions of bes
- wishes for my candidacy and I coun
- my strength from almost every class.'
f Dr. Clinkscales' campaigning
- which is carrying him all over th<
State, has not been permitted by hln
to interfere with his work at Wof
ford. He delivered twelve speecho
d In January without missing a class
r He addressed the Woodmen of th
World at Piedmont on Saturday am
on Sunday preached at Beaumon
* Methodist church. Dr. Cllnkscale
is running for governor on a compul
' sory education platform.
y , , t
Lynching in Mississippi.
,r Stopping a train near Love, Miss
4 late Monday, a mob forced the sher
0 iff to deliver to them a negro accusei
of murdering a white planter. Ho wa
n hanged from a nearby trestle.
it m m
f. Took Mean Rev nge.
s Because they foiled to find mor
ie valuable booty In her home, burglar
i- cut ofT nt the roots the hair of Mri
ru Chart** Blackburn, In Philadelphlc
>d and escaped.
BURST INTO TEARS
? ?
ATMOSPHERIC OF INSINUATION
AGAINST HIS FATHER.
? , DR.
TAYLOR TESTIFIES
?
Member of Hoard of Regents Tells of
Executive Session, From Whiclt
Dr. SuundorH' Lawyer, ller Father
ami Stenographer, Were Excluded
on Motion of (jovernoi IJlensc.
That Governor Please, in executive
session of tlvo board of regents of the
State Hospital for the Insane, on
December 12, 1913, by word and
manner, cast insinuation and insult
on Dr. lOleanora !. Saunders, woman
physician at the asylum, was testified
to Tuesday afternoon before the
asylum investigating committee, by
Dr. Julius II. Taylor of Columbia,
member of tho board of regents, who
was present throughout the entire
executive session. Not alone the professional
standing, but the character
of Dr. Saunders, wore brought into
question by tho governor time and
again by the insinuating nature of
tho questions which ho asked and
tho statement which ho made, said
Dr. Taylor.
The fact that, in his opinion, Dr.
Saunders' personal chara nor had
been attacked was the reason, said
Dr. Taylor, why ho would not vote
for a resolution, introduced and
adopted, stating that no personal
charges bad been mado, and that it
was for the best interests of tho lady
and everybody olso concerned that
the investigation begun at that time
bo dropped. Dr. Taylor stated that,
in ids opinion, the character of the
woman physician had been brought
into question and that the wording
of the resolution implied that an investigation
might substantiate the
charges.
Dr. Taylor paid high tribute to
tlie character of Dr. Saunders as a
woman and as a physician, declaring
that she was "head and shoulders
above any other subordinate member
of tho medical staff". All of the
charges made by her fellow physicians
at the executive session, "were
absolutely puerile," said Dr. Taylor,
who explained that thoy related to
removing a tnblo from a certain
room, use of a typewriter, and similar
allegations. "Yet unconsciously
every physician who testified there
against her paid the most magnificent
tribute to her work and her ability,"
said Dr. Taylor.
As to the executive session, Dr.
> Taylor said that every one except
: members of tho board of regents, Col.
John K. Anil, private secretary to the
governor, and members of tho asylum
, medical staff were excluded on mo'
tion of Governor Rlease. Among
> those excluded inder this order, he
i said, were lawyers for Dr. Saunders,
1 her father and her stenographer, Mr.
A. M. Deal.
"The wholo meeting was surcharg1
ed with an atmosphere of insinua'
t ions airainst l)r Sanndnrs " H.nhl I )r
Taylor, who told of questions asked
by Governor Illease, In his opinion.
Involving tho character of the lady
physician. There woro so frequently
> and so insistently made, said I)r. Tay>
lor, that Dr. Saunders burst into
: tears, as lie thought any other lady
> would have done under the circumstances.
Dr. Taylor stated that It was his
impression that tho statement by I)r.
Griflln, in reply to a question, that
5 Dr. Saunders "is supposed to be a
singlo woman", had been made in an
insinuating tone. Dr. GrKTin has de
nled to tho committee that ho iu1
tended any reflection whatever on the
3 moral character of Dr. Saunders by
, tho use of that phrase.
Aftor tho meeting had proceed for
^ sonio time, testified Dr. Taylor, Mr.
1 DIvens drew a paper from his pocket
' and introduced It as a resolution.
^ condemning Dr. Saunders and Dr.
3 llabcock for continuing to oermit the
1 visits of Dr. Cooper to tho asylum
1 after ho had failed of re-election. Dr.
* Taylor said that he expressed strong
condemnation of tho resolution, and
- moved that Dr. Saunders and Dr.
t llabcock be exonerated, but there was
t no second to his motion.
't
At ~ O \ 1
<1 liUCi iutu:iiu^ ui tllU UUllTU,
" testified Dr. Taylor, Mr. 0. L. Saun0
ders camo and requested that the
a hearing bo re-opened for tho sake of
Introducing testimony in support of
9 his daughter. lie said ho moved to
'* re-open tho matter, but tho board refused
to do so, passing tho resolution
to the effect that no charges had bcefi
1 preferred against tho character of
8 Dr. Saunders.
Since ho had been connected with
tho asylum for eight years, said l)r.
Taylor, he had never heard a single
circumstance reflecting on Dr. Saun..
dors' chfirnotor. Dr. Tavlor ntntnd
- that* ho had known much of lier
d work and the work of the Institution
s as a whole, for the reason that he
lives In Columbia, and, as a member
of the board of regents, made frequent
visits to the asylum,
e Dr. Taylor reviewed the work bea
ing done in all of the departments ol
i. the State Hospital and stated that in
i, none of them is the character of the
work of high a nature as in the
white female department, which is
under the supervision of Dr. Saunders.
He told hom Dr. Saunders kept
an accurate record of every one of
her six hundred patients, and gave
other instances of her signal ability
and interest in her work.
Dr. Taylor, in the course of his
testimony, took occasion to pay a
high trlbuto to the work of Dr. Cooper,
the Hospital pathologist, whom
tho board did not re-elect at the July
meeting, and Dr. llabcock, the superintendent.
That Dr. Saunders in handing objectionable
diseases at tho asylum
did only what every other woman
physician does, and that it was her
duty to do so, wore other statements
made by Dr. Taylor. "She is not in
the least degree less womanly for attending
to these cases," said Dr. Taylor.
Asked as to what steps should be
taken to restore scientific management
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 Virginia
plan ideal, which provides a
legislative committee, which receives
the report of the superintendent and
consults with him at his request, but
which has no powers.
Dr. Taylor, in the beginning of his
testimony, stated that there was friction
among the members of the ooard
of regents and among the members of
the asylum medical staff. There had
been no unpleasantness on tho former
l\no r<l on h lol? 1? r? 1-* nt o *
tsvscii kjit u 1111,11 nv; out v uu, ut; nuiit'u,
and tho cause of the trouble here
seemed to bo in the attitude of tho
other members of the board toward
himself. Ho related how an alleged
incident of unkind treatment toward
a patient had been generally considered
by tho other members of tho
board, but be had not been informed
of tho occurrence. All complaints
from members of the asylum medical
staff had been made to other members
of tho board than himself, ho
said.
Dr. Taylor told how, on one occasion,
three members of the board met
at a Columbia hotel, and ho later
asked why he was not asked to bo
present, and was told that they
hadn't thought to send for me,"
though, said Dr. Taylor, they later
told the investigating committee that
they had not sent for him because of
tho well known friendship between
himself, Dr. Babcock and Dr. Saunders.
"I objected to their sinuous
courso in this matter," said Dr. Taylor.
Dr. Taylor said that ho had known
of tho friction on tho medical staff
for some time, and on several occasions
wanted tho board of regents to
call for tho resignation of certain
physicians, who, ho felt, wero insubordinate
to Dr. Babcock, but Dr.
Babcock protested against any action
being taken.
?
WALK MBS PLBA1) 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 tho
defendants through their attorneys
announced their readiness to proceed
io inai ana mo iriai was commenced.
The Walkers were charged with the
killing of J. H. Harter, chief of police
of Allendale, at Lena, in Hampton
County last September. The
shooting of Mr. Harter attracted
much talk and newspaper comments
from a news and editorial standpoint
just after the occurrence.
When the court was called together
and the defendants, upon being arraigned,
entered pleas of guilty of
manslaughter which pleas were accepted
by tho solicitor and approved
by tho court and sentences were passed,
whereby J. F. Walker, was sentenced
to the public works of Hampton
county for a period of ten years
and his son, Hen. Walker, was sentenced
to the public works of Hampton
county for a period of five years.
An unusual interest was manifested
in this case there being on tho court
yard and in tho court room a great
crowd of people, about 100 of whom
were witnesses. *
^ ? ?
LEAPS FROM WINDOW.
N>gro Jumps From Train Moving
Fifty Miles an Hour.
Tipple Lewis, a negro, convicted ol
murder in Emanuel county, Ga., in
1912, who escaped from Swainsborc
Jail on Christmas was probably totally
injured when he Jumped from t
fust train on the Atlantic Coast Lint
near Florence, Thursday, while beinj
returned to Georgia. He was locatec
some time ago in Camden, N. J. Dep
uty Sheriff E. L. Currio of Dublir
went to Camden for him, had requi
i sition papers signed Wednesday ant
started homo. He suspected tho ne
gro, who Is desperate, of trying tc
' plan an escape at Richmond and pu
leg Irons on him just before reaching
i Florence, whllo arranging to chang<
to an Augusta train. Lowis raise<
, the window and slipped through
striking the ground on his chin. Th<
. train was running 60 miles an hou
when he jumped. Lewis was plcke(
i up by the train which ran back fo
> him, paralyzed from his neck dowi
i and otherwise Internally Injured.
)
' MAIL 0
No need to send to the big
you want. We have it here at t
er. You owe us a trial anywa
require and let us figure on it.
selves out to execute mail or
prompt attention.
lorick & low
HARDVi
columbi
isdelights on asylum
STKVKNSON KOAMTS m\lv>.s Ai
IIKAIUNC.
'I
Vssistant Physician Pulinor Takes
IOxcept ion to Dr. Taylor's State- .
i
incut It 11 ( I fitter Molds Mis (iroiind.
We give below two interesting extracts
from the stenographic report
of last Tuesday's hearing of the asylum
investigation. Mr. J. D. IMvens w
one of the regents was on tho stand
Tuesday. Following is a part of his
examination:
Mr. IMvens: Mr. Chairman, I
want to make a statement before that
sir. That tho puestions?that 1 will _
only answer any puestion that is pertinent
or germane to tho main puestion.
There are some questions that
they may ask that 1 am not going to
answer positively. 1 want to bo
plain and I want you all to understand
me. I think this?1 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 tho 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, 1
think the committee will bo in a better
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 tho hearing:
Mr. Stevenson: Tho witness stat- r
ed that he thought Dr. Saunders
ought to have her lawyer here?
Mr. IMvens: How is that, sir? I
Mr. Stevenson: Did 1 understand
von to sav that von ttioinrht Ilr
Saunders ought to have u lawyer
hero to represent her?
Mr. Bivens: 1 understand that 1
Dr. Saunders had a lawyer. 1
Mr. Stevenson: Do you think she I
needs it any wose than sho did at
that executive session? i
Mr. Divens: No. sir, I do not suppose.
Mr. Stevenson: Why did the board
exclude him then, if sho needs it
now ?
Mr. Bivens: My reason for that is
tills, that Dr. Saunders is a lady and
if they are going through a quiz it is
preferable coming through a lawyer,
because the reply may be a little
harsh and I would not?
Mr. Stevenson: But when sho is
on trial you think it is better not to
have a lawyer?and then you are the
jury?
Mr. Bivens: I think it would bo
a good plan to have a lawyer along
with them.
At the afternoon session last Tues-<
(lay Dr. Fulmer, Assistant physician
at the State Hospital for the Insane
and I)r. Julius 11. Taylor, a regent of
the institution had an interesting exchanfe
of words. Following ia the
stenographic report of a part of their
testimony.
derSaunsP. -saoto
Dr. Fulmer: I want to know if
I)r. Taylor knows about my medical
career?
Dr. Taylor: No sir.
Q. Have I ever been called into a
case with you? A. No, sir.
Q. Why do yoh state that Dr. Saunders
is head and shoulders above
evory other doctor in the institution?
A. .because I believe her to bo.
Q. Why? I know the work she
' has done, doctor and 1 know something
of your work.
Q. Have you ever been in the col'
orod female departuent to see what
1 records I have? A. I said so far as
) I know you have no records.
nave you oeen ovor mere to
1 seo? A. No, sir, I haven't seen your
5 rocords.
Q. As far as operating, havo you
ovor dono any operating for the
t white femalo department? A. Yea.
Q. I do not recall for tho colored
I male.
Q. White male? A. Yea.
) Q. Have you dono in tho colored
t department sinre I havo boon there?
r A. No, sir.
s Q. There have been oyeratlona go1
Ing on for different things. I have
, dono thorn myself. As t oreaulta, I
3 lan show you. That is Just about
r the point I wanted to bring out?why
i you made the statement that she is
r "head and shoulders above?" A.
l That is my opinion.
Q. That statement was also made
I
RDERS 1
mail order houses for what I *
he same price?if not cheap- I
y. Send a list of what you I ^
We have specially laid our
ders and you may rely on I
RANGE, INC., I >
/ARE I
A, S. C. I
THE HORRY HERALD
CONWAY, S. C. '
Published Kvery Thursday.
PHURSDAY, FKItlU AKY 2?, UH t
PROCESSIONAL CARDS.
If. II. WOODWARD,
Attorney and Counsellor at Law.
CONWAY, S. C.
If. It. SCARBOROUGH.
Attorney at Law.
CONWAY, S. C.
H. IL BURROUGHS,
Physician and Surgeon.
CONWAY, S. C.
W. E. McCORI).
Dental Surgeon.
CONWAY, S. O.
RENE RAVENEL,
I .and Surveying
and
Drainage.
Spivey Building, Conway, S. O.
RESCUED AT SEA.
Itevenuo Cutter Saves Seven Charleston
Negroes From Death.
Coming into Charleston harbor
Thursday afternoon for mail, the revonuo
cutter Yamacraw, Capt. Henderson,
sighted seven negroes on the
South Jetty. They were members of
the crew of the gasoline fisbing
mnapl/ Quo floli ?>
uvuuaii) n intl) Ililll Ultima Oil
the rocks after her engines had broken
down. The unfortunate fishermen
were waving shirts, oilskins and
other articles of wearing apparel
when the Yamacraw hove in sight
Nearing the Jetty Capt. Henderson
ordered a surf hoat to he manned for
the rescuo of the negroes. Because
of the northeast galo and the rougli
seas, the men in the surf boat had
considerable difllculty in reaching tho
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 thom
colored. They are said to have been
among tho sevon aboard when the
craft, which they purchased about a
month ago, was wrecked. When tho
Seafish struck tho rocks the fishermen
clambered on tho rocks. They
had to stand for more than an hour
in tho water before tho Yamacraw,
at about 4:45 o'clock, rescued them.
The men all suffered somewhat from
exposure, and said their hour on tho
rocks seemed like a very much longer
period.
See Blazing Funeral.
The sight of an automobile hearse
containing a body and ablaze from
end to f?nd nttropinfl o nnn ?wi
~??, ?.VI uvvbU fa,VUU puuuo"
trians of New York Thursday. The
body was removed from the blazing
hearse by the poliee.
Convicts Faithful to Trust.
Only one of the 52 convicts sent
to the "honor camp" at Grand Detour,
111., to build a road, was false
to his trust, having attempted to
smuggle a flask of whiskey into his
tent.
For Hog Cholera Fight.
Representative Lever, under syspension
of the rules Monday has the
house nnss hlo o ~ ?
r-r win v?j/i iaui
$f>00,000 for the extermination of hog
cholera and $100,000 for serum. The
bill has already passed the senate.
by Col. Aull .
Dr. Fulmer then asked Dr. Taylor
what o based his opinion on.
To which Dr. Taylor replied:
"Well, doctor, I avo seen and heard
you in tho Columbia Medical socioty
and I have come in contact with you
for tho last few years and I have
seen Dr. Saunders and her work, and
I repeat my statement that she Is
head and soulders above any member '
of the etaff." |