Baton Rouge tri-weekly gazette & comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1865-18??, 1866-04-03
Report Of the Special Josnt Committee
Appointed to Examine the Condition
and Management of the Deaf, Dumb
and Blind Asylum at Baton Rouge.

10 the Honorable the Senate and Hoa4se Of Repre-.
sentattues Of the State Of Louistona, In General
ASseuebly conUe7led.
The undersigned Committee appointed
under joint resolution to visit and enquire
into the condition and management of the
Deaf, Dumb and Blind Asylum at Baton
Rouge, respectfully report, that they have
performed the duty imposed, and ascer-
tanned that the buildings and enclosures Of
the institution are In much need of repairs,
and that there is deficiency of furniture
and bedding. About one half the build
ing is used as q. 8. Military Hospital,
and your Committee deem such an ar
rangement detrimental to the Legitimate
operations of the ASYLUM. AS, however,
the Commanding officer at Baton Rouge
stated that there was ample room in the
Barracks for hospital purposes, and that
he was prepared to surrender the use OF
the Asylum whenever authorized by the
proper authority 10 do SO, it Is probable
that the institution will be relieved Of this
inconvenience at an early day. In connec
ton with this matter it would be unjust to
omit mentioning that the Asylum has for
length OF time received material aid from
the General Government, IN form Of sup
plies Of food and other necessaries issued
to it from the Military stores in Baton
Rouge.
Of the internal economy and manage
ment Of the Asylum, as conducted by Mr..
Martin, Principal, and Mrs. Dufrocq, Ma
iron, your Committee feel warranted in
speaking most favorably; but of the super
visory control exercised by the Board OF
Administrators they feel constrained to
use language Of condem nation, not indis-
criminately and collectively, but of acts
hereinafter specified and of the individuals
named. 1t was in evidence before your
Committee that Mr.. John O'Connor was
on the I'd May last (1S65) regularly chosen
Secretary and Treasurer, and that he
promptly furnished satisfactory bond and
security for the faithful discharge of his
duties, which bond was put of record in
the proper office. No evidence was elected
that Mr.. O'Connor, either as Secretary or
Treasurer, had failed to perform his duty,
yet on the 18th June he was superseded as
December following by Mr.. Kugler, IS
Treasurer. The bond offered by Mr.. Ku-
gler (Which seems 10 have been accepted
on the 22d Of January last,) ia without
any witness to it, it is deemed otherwise
informal, has not been put Of record in any
public office, and Mr.. O'CoDnell, Secretary,
WAS the custodian of it. On the 18th of
November last, by resolution of the Board
Of Administrators, Mr.. O'Connell was de-
puted to call On the Governor and the
Treasurer Of the State, TO endeavor to pro-
cure pecuniary relief to the Asylum. Ac-
cording to the regular text of the resolu-
ton, this was the sum and substance of his
Mission; but there were anterIaneataons
whereby his powers were amplifed, on the
strength of which he demanded and re-
ceived fran Mr.. Benjamin, with whom it
had been deposited by Mr.. O'Connor, an
Auditors warrant on the State Treasury,
for four thousand FIVE hundred dollars
s4,500) which he collected.
1t was not in evidence before your Com
mittee whether the interlineations in ques-
ton were, or were not, part of the reso-
luton as it passed the Board, but under
any circumstances they were deemed OBJ
jectionable as Record.
The Record SO called, kept by Mr.. O'Con-
mel, was found to consist of detached sheets
or scraps Of paper; and in reply to an OBJ
lection made by one Of your Committee
to so loose a way of keeping it, the secre-
tary declared it to be parliamentary to
keep the original resolutions upon which
the body acted. Your Committee failed
to perceive the force of his reason, but
did not deem it their duty to debate the
matter.
OF payments made by M. Kugler, Trea-
surer, one thousand eight hundred and
seventy-two dollars and sixty cents 3D.
| 872 60) appears to have been disbursed on
| the warrant of the Secretary alone, to- wit:
To y. Otto, an trator............1,19 1 60
To J. D. 0'Connel1, Secretary ........... 676 90
The othor disbursements of the Treasu-
rer appear to have been sanctioned by the
President of the Board in due form.
One thing noticed by your Committee
| struck them as being peculiarly reprehensi-
BILE, namely That in resolutions of the
Board directing the payment of bills, etc. ,
| the amounts were frequently, if not inva-
| risbly, left blank, and subsequently filled,
and in pencil. All who are familiar with
chirography know what an easy matter it
is to obliterate pencil marks, and can I'M
derstand the use that dishonest Secretary
might make of the facility, particularly if,
as in the case cited above, he could draw
money on his own warrant. 1t is not
charged or even intimated by your Com
mittee, that any improper use has been
made of the facility afforded, but they may
most unqualifedly condemn the mode in
question Of filling blanks in the Acts of
the Board.
Another irregularity, though small
one, was brought to the notice of your
Committee. 1t was in evidence that the
sum of fifty dollars had been paid to one
of the Administrations for use of room in
which to hold the meetings of the Board
though there was no need for such outlay,
a suitable room in the Asylum building
being at all times available. AS stated
| the amount expended was trivial, but be-
ing unnecessary its expenditure was rep-
| rehensible.
1t was perhaps the design Of the Joint
Resolution under which your Committee
was appointed, that they should inquire
into and report upon the fiscal condition
of the Asylum; but as such design is not
clearly manifest, and as the desired in-
formation is before the Legislature from
other sources, and is believed to be relia-
BILE, your Committee abstain from attempt
ing an exposition oft.
Very respectfully,
G. W. MUNDAY,
Chairman Senate Committee.
E. W. ALVERSON,
Chairman House of Rep. Committee.