The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-09-02

our readers will remember that 3 few. weeks
since charges of malfeasance were preferred
by Mrs. Janetta B. Poore, late matron at the
City Almshouse, against Captain Charles p.
Bigger, superintendent Of that institution.
Captain Bigger promptly demanded an in
yestigation, and it was commenced yester-
day morning before his Honor Mayor Kelley
and members of the Council Committee for
the Relief of the Poor. .a as
f.. Dir. ALLEN B. Magruder, brother of Mrs.
Poore, submitted the following statement:
SIR. Mdyor,-As the brother and next
friend of Mrs. Janetta B. Poore, late matron
OF the City Almshouse, assume, the respon-
sibility of her tCard' in the Enquirer Of the
10th August, subject to the explanation that
she does not seek and would not accept q
restoration to that or any position 10 the in
stitution so long as Captain C. p. Bigger Is
superintendent; and now appear with my
colleague, Mr.. Williams, on her behalf, to
offer testimony in aid of the investigation
you have ordered into the acts of personal
misconduct and official delinquency and mall
feasance of the superintendent's acts, which.
If satisfactorily proved, will show him to be
utterly unworthy and unfit for the position Of
trust and confidence he holds, and must eX-
pose him to the just Punishment and penal
ties affixed by law to bis offences. 1t is due
to myself to say that am not here to seek
vengeance and to crafty any feeling Of in
dignation or resentment. Of my own or of
Mrs. Poore, however justly and reasonably
such feelings might be aroused Dy the shame
full treatment she has received, but appear
as the brother ofan injured sister-a widow
and her orphan children, and in the dis
charge of public duty as citizen and a
Virginiap, in the yindication OF truth and
public justice, in the detection and eX-
posure of wrongs, and injuries perpetrated
against the destitute and helpless, and in
the cause of sound morals and COM
mon honesty. Surely am not wrong
in iudulging the hope and faith that
there is yet left enough of manliness
and virtue enough of confidence and stern
fidelity to duty-of fearless integrity in the
public opinion OF Virginia and those to whom
is entrusted the execution of the laws Of our
honored Commonweath-to detect and pun
ish the daring wrOng-doer, the more espe-
cially when he stands forth as the piliful per-
secutor of woman-of those he presumes to
be defeneeless and without friends. By such
men, unless restrained and punished by law,
no species of oppression, tyranny, and spoil
alton is considered too Dlonstrous and cruel,
and the widow and orphan, the poor and the
needy, are generally the chosen victims of
oppression because they are defenceless.
al will not anticipate the proof, both
documentary and oral, which will be offered
! in this Investigation. As the superintend-
ent has challenged this investigation into his
personal and official conduct, he cannot OBJ
ject that the inquiry shall be full, searching,
and complete. [ only ask (What do not
| doubt ia the leasD that 1t may also be Just,
fearless, and impartial. The high official
position, the great intelligence, and the we'll
known personal integrity OF the chief magls-
trate of this city, who is charged by the Con-
stitution-the great organic Law OF the State
with this investigation, afford every
guarantee that the laU will be rightfully adj.
ministered. and that justice will be done
| Though the heauens fdL'
| "In this INQUIRY it is charged by citizens
of undoubted integrity and character, with
ample means of knowledge derived from OBJ
servation and experience, that the public IN
terest, the city's money, the care OF the un-
| fortunates in the City AlmsaouSe, their just
claims 10 humane treatment, and their safety
and protection against vice and debaslng
immorality, have been knowingly and wan
tonly disregarded and sacrificed by the un-
faitbfulness, rapacity, and criminal conduct
l
nesses have been summoned, and if now pre-
sent will give their testimony. On our part
we are ready to proceed.
"ALLEN B. MAeRuDER."
After the reading Of this paper the exalni-
nation of witnesses commenced.
DR.. Tatum, late resident student at the
alm.house, stated that the milk furnished by
| b member of the Council was adulterated
n n :
ar chalk. He had called the attention Of the
resident physician, DR.. Hawkins, to the fact,
and that an analysis was made, resulting In
| the discovery of large quantities of foreign
| matter.
DIR. Nance. also resident student, con-
enrred in the statement of DR.. Tatum in
regard TO the adulteration of the milk, stating
that it was wholly unfit for food, particu-
| larIy for infants. though he was not prepared
to say that death had resulted in any case
( from its use.
Mrs. Poore stated. in substance, that for
the past two years Captain Bigger had been
harsh, cruel, and insulting to her, but when
questioned as to the cause OF such treatment
had declared that she was guilty of no dire
liction OF duty. but that she was woman ;
that he despised women, and wondered what
God had ever put them on the earth for.
| On one occasion Captain Bigger had placed
ON the same floor With herself, and in such
close proximity as to be highly offensive, a
female inmate Of the most disreputabe
| character. She expostulated 10 vain, and the
renonstrances of her friends were to no Pur.
pose, be insisted on keeping the woman there
| At another time he had removed respec-
table woman who was employed about her
| private apartments and substituted one oil
whom she knew nothing, and that in one
week Captain Bigger informed her that
y the woman was Of bad character. She beg
ped With tears that she might be removed
| but it was not done; that he had changed
tbc Euep-room, formerly adjoining her own
on tie third floor, to the lower floor, thu;
i forcing Der 10 go up and Gown long flights
ri stcns perhaps twenty times day, when
too # was wei! known that the room last
, nan,efi was more insecure than the first: thai
!. vhile confined by'a severe spell of sicknes:
bc had threatened. TO remove her from the
r,arronship. though her daughter was at
tending to her duties to bis entire satisiac
lion as be admitted. BY the persuasion o
others he was induced to forego this resolu
. ron :t that time. saying, however, that IL
fDturc ne would remove her in case OF SICK
psss inst before the last elections oy the
new Council it became known that sne was
nrepariue statement for the press, ana sht
was waited on by Mr.. jenkins, q member o.
the Council. and on his assurance that sne
wouId he reelected had determined not tt
nublisb the card that Captain Bigger, TOO
had assured her of his support, but naa II
fact done everything to iDjure her before
the Council. After her removal Captain
Bigger had sought an interview Win het
and said that he was truly asnameo oi lh
treatment of her, and asked where sh'
world po ON leaving the almsbouse. Sht