Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-01-11

read by MIR. leighto which gave g running
statement of the affairs Of the home its finan-
cial condition, its use, progress and present
condition, including the affairs of the school.
There are At present about so children in the
government has lately erected a new building
by which about % additional pupils can be OBJ
tanned. a new school house was being built
in Boston which, 1t is expected, will arrive
shortly.
Mrs. Jane G. SWISH elm. at the conclusion
OF the reading OF the report arose out side OF the
bar and commenced to commentin sharp terms
not only on the report but the character, con-
duct and management of the institution, and
especially upon the administration Of Mis-
Mann as teacher. She charged that Mis-
children, was only fit to control a school OF
stubborn boys ranging from tS to 81; that she
Is rigid, severe, and even barbarous in tn =
treatment OF the children commended to her
care.
One Of the children was very sick with
diarrhoa, and for soiling the bed Miss Mann
TOOK her out, and after shaking her, thrust her
sick as she was, out OF doors during pelting
storm. This child died a day or two thereafter
and Mrs. ). believed that her death was in a
manner caused by the treatment. One OF the
children had mysteriously disappeared, and she
(Mrs. S had demanded a search and in vesti-
CATION. The committee, instead of making a
search, inspected the kitchen, the opening Of a
drain in the yard, and discussed the price of
tea cups and plates in the pantry.
Miss Mann, with her peculiar iron will, rules
the children, and comDels them to sit bolt up
q
each cheek. afraid to speak. Through threats
OF abstinence from water and food, she COM
pels them to suffer inter sely.
The fruit on the place, and there was an
abundance, was allowed to go to waste, while
the scholars were engaged in making patch
work quilt 10 be sent to Boston, so that the
Bostonians might see what a fine school Miss
Mann was conducting.
While Mrs. Swisshelm was speaking, Mrs
Dr. Breed called her to order, and stated that it
was derogatory to the Institution to expose
such things. ,. .9E-'
MIS- S. here advanced inside Of the railing,
and turning towards Mrs. Breed, said she was
willing and ready to face any one and repeat
the charges, and the public who had helped to
support the institution ought to be.
Mrs. >. continued, stating that the Govern
ment had at large expense fitted up the home
for the benefit of INDECENT colored women and
children, but instead OF their being permitted
to enjoy the luxuries of such a home, they are
excluded from this palatIal residence and
turned into novels, in order that Miss Maria
Mann with her company might enjoy the par
lors.
Mrs. Swisshem stated that she had de.
manded an investigation into the management
Of the Home, and an Investigate on was held
After witnesses had been summoned and evil
dence taken, the committee reported that the
charges were sustained, and recommended that
Miss Mann be asked to resign. The executive
committee did not comply with this request.
DR.. Charming followed Mrs. s, stating that
the character Of the Lady was such as to enti-
tion, and 1t would be proper to investigate
them. Although he thought that she was at
least e partially art In error, he expressed the hope
Mrs. Lucy NJ Coleman "a former matron OF
the Homel substantially reiterated the charges
made by Mrs. Swisshe!m, and made some adj
ditional ones. She had made charges before,
and as long as the executive committee had not
needed the result of the Investigation, In she was
now willing and ready to make them again
and demanded, as matter Of justice, that an
Mrs. Gangewer remarked that she had been
deeply interested in the character and manage.
ment OF the home, and as one Of its officers,
had frequently visited It; that she was fully
satIsned that there were wrongs to be righted,
and many corrections and improvements re-
qulredi that in her opinion, the teacher. Miss
MARIA mann, had assumed the authority and
responsibility OF matrOn, and had thus excited
jealousy and ill feeling; that she (Mrs. G J had
called the attention OF the managers to this
matter, and had been met by the answer that
the donations OF Miss Mann's friends in
Massachusetts would be withheld II she were
restricted or compelled to resign; that Massa-
chnsetts patrons had lntrusted her with large
contribution of money and supplies, as well as
materials, for school house and furniture in
connection with the home, and that Difference
should be paid to these donors. Mrs G. as
serted tnat this gave an undue influence and
power 70 the teacher, and enabled her to man.
age the managers. This was the secret of her
assumption OF authority, which needed inyes-
tigation.
Hon. 7. ID. Elliott, of Mass, stated that he
desired that the subject be properly and thor
oushiy investigated. In justice to the institu-
lon ana 10 MISS Mann the investigation should
be made, and the friends of the latter should
demand il.
motion made to recommit the report for
amendment WAS lost-yeas 49, nays ID
The report was accepted.
Mr.. ID Il. Goodloe moved that the charges be
referred 10 q committee of five, to investigate
Inc subJect carried, and the Chair appointed
Messrs. A. M. Gangewer, D. r. foodloe DIR
Breed. Rev. DIR. Charming, and D. M Kelsey.
Mr. Kelsey then read the report OF Mrs
Johnson, the treasurer, which was accepted.
ard what amonnt Of moneys had been received
by or entrusted to Miss Mann by patrons from
Mass achusettsi and whether the same were In
cluded in the treasurer's report, or retained as
an outside and separate fund. He had under
stood that Miss Nam was made the especial
aimoner or custodian of these charities, and
,hat the M massachusetts, school house" was to
be held and managed in her own right What
were the facts In the case!
Miss Peabody. OF Boston. in reply, stated
mat contrlbutions amounting to some thou
sands OF dollars had been made In Massachu.
setts tor the Home, and especially for a school
mouse, to be used on condition that Miss Mann
should continue as teacher.
Inc meeting proceeded to vote for officers and
managers Tor the ensuing year, and two tickets
were nominated, one headed by Miss Margaret
EOoinson, OF this city, and the other by Mrs
wilson, OF Massachusetts. 's. -.
The Chair proceeded to take the vote on each
canoldate separately, taking the name on the
ticket first offered, headed by Mrs Wilkinson,
President, Miss Margaret Robinson; Vice.
PRESIDENT, Mrs. Samuel Wilkinson; Treasurer.
NJ Mrs; Harriet underhill; Secretary, Mrs Har-
On taking the vote for managers it was found
that the popularity of the candidates was about
equal. The vote on most of them was taken hy
count and some OF each party were dec Jared
elected. Before the completion of the vote, the
question was raised that possibly all voting
" ere not mem bers.
Mr.. Kelsey remarked that q number of ladies
and gentlemen were presen& with their money
ahd had endeaVored to find some one to pay II |
1t was denied on the other side of the house /
mat any person was a member until the Treas |
nrer had received the money
AT this Iuncture several persons commenced |
10 collect subscriptions and the treasurer being
Fonnd busy time ensued for several minutes.
One spunky lady got up and said she was IS
good member as any. and had voted and l
would continue to vote anyhow.
The election was then proceeded with, and
he following were declared elected MANAGERS.