TO THE HONORABLE THE CITY COUNCIL OF Boston: GENTLEMEN: The undersigned, a citizen and legal voter of this city, respectfully calls attention to certain malpractices of the Superintendant of the Lunatic Hospital at South Boston, to the end that ordinances may be passed that shall restrain the present incumbent or any of his successors from the commission of such in the time to come. He respectfully asks for a committee of investigation on the subject, before whom he is ready to appear and prefer and substantiate by sufficient and abundant evidence the following charges against the present Superintendant. First. General and gross neglect of duty towards patients, whereby health, both of body and mind, is injured, and as he believes death, in one case, has ensued. Seccond. Cruelty to inmates by false imprisonment on frivolous pretexts; which imprisonment have extended from three weeks to six month. Third. Reckless extravigance and waste of the city property. Wherefore, the undersigned again asks for a committee of investigation, that he may appear before it, and, confronting. Dr. Clement A. Walker, produce the evidence in his possession to prove the foregoing charges. Boston, February 27, 1861. The above is a true copy of the original petition. Attest: JOHN HOLTON. |