The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-03-04
CHARITY UNDER A CLOUD.
TRUSTEES RR4Df ron 4 TUOROUGU
AND SEIRCLfIN0 INVESTIGATION
A Bonrd Of Referees to Inquire into the Man
nRement OF the Organization Shall Mas
ter wiswnii's Ari,irs he Investigntedt

nRement OF the Organization shall Mns-
ter wiswnirs Anrirs he Investigntedt
The members OF the Board OF Trustees
OF St Johns Guild nro somewhat divided In
sc.,timent as to whether the State Board OF
Charities has or has not the power 10 investi-
gnte the workings Of the organization. and In
quire into tho domestic affairs OF its Master. tho
Rev Alvnh Wlswall: hut there Is no dlrcr-,-,c
OF opinion among them rs TO the right OF the
Guilds counsel to cross examine such wit
ncsses as wero produced to testify against II.
1t was to discuss this question that the trustees
met last night In the rooms Of the Guild. In
Union square.
With the exception Of Chief Justice DAILY. all
the -a.crees who had been named in Mr.. John
d. Townsenas answer, in behalf OF Mr.. Wis
wall to tho complaint OF the State Donri' ss
comprising the body before whom tho Guild
proposed to lay its and solicit an invcstigs-
tion. wero present: but every ono OF thcm had
signiflod his intention OF declining 10 serve.
MIR. William II. Wiley. who had also been sub
pnnaed to appear and testify before the Board
OF Stuto Charities. presided. and Mr.. u. +.
Baker. at the opening of tho meeting. said
he could not act In the capacity OF
referee. Mr. II. X. Thurber followed with
n similar declaration. adding cmphaticay that
1t would be better for Mr. Wswall. better for st.
Johns Guild. better for all concerned. II the
State Board OF Charities was permitted 10 make
its proposed investigation. The board. he said.
seemed 10 think that 1t had the right To do 30.
but whether 1t had or not the public would be
better satisfied with the result II tho inquiry was
made outside the Guild. lie was assured that
the management would bear. unscathed. the
mostsearching examination.
Mr.. Dupignac. one OF the counsel for the trus-
antd ha oh ta in
pers were directed. not against tho Guild itself
30 much as against its master. and 1t was into
the domestic affairs OF the Rev. Avah Wiswall
that the State Board of Charities now proposed
to induire. The Guild could afford to go before
any invtstgn ng committee 10 meet the charges
against II. but an examination OF its masters
domestic affairs could only bo fairly made in
sidr the organization.
Mr., f. \. Vuintard thought that mother the
Guild nor the State Board -; Charities had amy
right to inquire into tho private life Of Mr. Wis.
wall or OF any other member, II the general
Investigation. that was all that they had any
business TO deal with. He thought. however.
that the State Board OF Charities had authority
To investigate the affairs Of tho Guild. or. Mt
least of that portion OF II which embraced tho
floating hoepital. Of which he is chairman.
Whatever Investigation was to be mado would
be- made ia.rly and thoroughly. II the Guild
was worthy II should stand II not the sooner II
fen the better, He thought however. that tho
Commlitt' 'e Of Investigation should be made up
wholly OF % rsOus OUT de OF the Guild, Tor the
latter would not eN pect that tho public support
| II had h,en receiving would be- continued until
all charges made against 1t or lis master had
been rriutrd.
Two or three members objected 10 any inquiry
being mad. regar'ing Mr.. Wiswali's private az
fairs. and Mr.. John Weed said that the Master
of the Guild, being public man. should not
shrink from public Investigation. The Secre-
tary read a letter from Chief Justice DAILY. say
ing that his engagements made 1t impossible
| for him 10 act rs referee. A similar commu
nlcation from Mr.. William ii. Guion was read,
advising that the proposed Investigation should
be made by persons not connected in any way
On motion OF Mr. John ?. Fauro. Messrs, John
! j. Townsend. L. J. Dupgnac. and William
Bloomfield were confirmed ia counsel for the
ceedod 70 argue ut some length that the arti-
| clcs reflected noccssarily upon tn. charac
ter Of tho Guild. as we'll az upon Mr., Wis
! tion by the State BOARD OF Charities.
Mr. Townsend Cox thought the State Board
had the power to investigate IT, affairs Of the
! Guild. but saw no reason why Board Of
| zaton TO make inquiries at the same time.
Alter much discussion the following was
| adopted:
Rs.syeL Inst the Guild and It's management be invs,
CITY, one member BY ihs STATE hoard q csfre., two
| other Than Trustees AMI nith member to be Sc.
| lec<d by the four ANY vacanoie. in the board
invesusat0n 10 be conmunicai 10 the trustees Of 81
Johns Guild a. soon as possible The expen-cs incident
| ton. and not 10 exceed 80.
| II was further resolvcdto % invite Mr., Theodore
Roosevelt 10 be one of the referees. Thc rcsolu-
| tions will I've submitted 10 tho State Board Of
| counsel To cross examine witnesses wlll.be in
/ sisted upon.