The New York herald., 1879-09-16
Startling Charges Made Against
It's Administration
NEGLECT AND CRUELTY.
The inmates Alleged To Be Poorly Fed
and lnsufficenty Clothed
AN INVESTIGATION DEMANDED.

time the charges in detail which Colonel Clay has
preferred against the management OF the House OF
Refuge. Considerable controversy has taken place
In regard to them, and when the HERALD reporter
yesterday received them from Colonel Clay the latter
made the following statement explanatory OF his
position in regard to the House of Refuge and the
managers thereof
For some time before resigned was satisfied
that rumors and reports affecting the management
that had heard previous to my connection with
the House of Refuge were true. went to Mr..
Ketchum, the president of the Board OF Managers
In regard to the matter of punishment. explained
to him that the punishments were often unjustly
administered that they too frequent. and
that boy would be logged for light
offence and the punishment would be
administered for grave and serious offence.
told him that under the existing mode OF punish
inent there danger of boy being injured per-
mancntly, and if such thing occurred it would
reflect upon the managers of the house and its off,
tnat there should be different system Of
ishments altogether that there almost en-
tire absence of rewards, and that system of dis
ciplne could be perfect without thoroughly
defined classification of punishments and re-
wards; that foggng should be resorted
to except in extreme cases. and then
should be administered by subordinate
in presence and under the direction Of the superin-
tendent of his assistants. Mr.. Ketchum received
me kindly and supposed there would be some at
tention paid to the suggestions made. few even
ngs afterward Superintendent Jones sent for to
come to see him at his Office, and in Extensively
brusque manner took to task for going to the
president of the Board OF Managers with my views
and observations of the affairs OF the House. told
him that before had ever gone to Mr.. Ketchum in
regard to the punishments l had told himself
the substance of what 1 said to Mr. Ketchum,
not avin ut
with any correction at his hands. had from
of duty. gone to the president of the Board of Man.
ayers i'll the hope that the evils of which COM
planned might be adjusted. l may add that
until lett the institution. some six months af err
waru, not the slightest action was taken either by
Mr.. ketchum. Mr.. Jones, the superintendent
toward correcting the faults had complained Of
The boys were punished in the same numbers and
in the same dangerous unjust and unfeeling manner
as before"
RxpoRTER-Did you try to secure the attention of
any Of the other managers to the mismanagement
Of the institution?
INDIFFERENCE MANAGERS.
Colonel CLAY-Yes; in October of last year and
sfter my interview with Mr.. Ketchuin called the
attention of Mr.. Agnsw to the number of imbecile
and epiieptic children that had been received by
Superintendent Jones, Notwithstanding q re-
cent act Of the Legislature empowering
the institution to reject or return all of
that class. and I explained to him that
in my own division Of boys there several Of
these unfortunates who entirely unfit for that
division or house Of refuge at all and proper
subjects for hospital treatment. l told him that
had intellectually called the attention of Superin-
tendent Jones to the condition of these children.
some OF whom afflicted that they could not
be sent to school or to chapel and locked in
their cells during school and chapel hours. Mr.
Agnew directed me to prepare list of those children
and hand it to him on his next visit to the house.
did SO. but Mr.. Agnew returned it to me
return of Mr.. Jones, then on vacation. before he
would take any action This the last of the
matter: matter: ana Mr.. Jones continued to receive that
REpoRTER-Do you believe that tho managers were
and are ignorant of the workings OF institution
with which so many OF them have been long
identified?
convinced that whom they become satisfied that the
institution is worked is by their employees they
will be the first to attempt the much needed change
REnoRTER--I believe you have made efforts to
reach the managers OF the House of Refuge with
THE BOARD APPEALED TO-
colonel CLAY-fes; and may say, too. that
have been grossly misrepresented in published
statements. ! have already explained to you the
course pursued while assistant superintendent in
my efforts to discharge what believed to be my
duty and will tell you what led to my resigna-
tion and what has since followed. had come to the
conclusion many months before my resignation that
i could not influence the Board of Managers Of the
institution as was forced to share the prevailing
belief that Mr.. Jones the superintendent. Board
OF Managers House OF Refuge and all. My personal
endeavors in this work. in which take profound
interest. were thwarted and hampered and my
fulness affected by my want of sympathy with
methods and practices which had become satisfied
should be discontinued. This 1 stated in
substance to the managers when I rendered
my resignation. On June b, after my resignation.
wrote letter addressed to the Board of Managers
which has been already published by Mr.. Ketchuin,
explaining my motives and asking for committee
to confer with me for the purpose of considering
the irregularities which existed in the institution
Before presenting this letter officially called upon
anumber of the managers personally and stated to
them many of the most serious abuses in the house.
1 Ketclum.
dent Of the Board, to whom explained
to remedy. told him that bad Examined many
similar institutions in this country the system
In Europe and that by a com parson his institution
suffered greatly. He answered that he knew moth
ing of other institutions. he never visited any OF
them. and that he satisfied with superintendent
Jones and his mode of government. However. no
Consented to lay my charges before tho Board at it's
next regular meeting. then some three weeks
hence; urged the calling of special meet
Ing being anxious to so South on my own
private business. and in few days |
notified that a committee of managers would meet
June q to receive any communication might wish
to make. On June ~ met Messrs. Robinson, Jar
Wis and ketchum, the Managers Committee of the
House OF Refuge. handed them copy OF charges.
which explained did not accuse or arraign tho
adopted the language. the form of expression,
sns, ana in IN some instances the exact words
charges which they form ulated III 1872 In follow
ing TINS precedent my object was put in somo
tangible shape the matter which wished to bring
to their attention, with view to a correction OF the
evil complained Of and which thought would be
OF the persons who were cOpnizant OF the facts.
The language used In the charges might strike
them as being strong and perhaps harsh. but did
not express my feelings If so construed.
WANTED 40 REMEDY the FAULTS PRIVATELY.
had only the kindest feelings for the managers
and the Institution, and had come to them In their
interests and tor the common good OF all to tell
them what had been the experience OF many per-
sons employed at the House OF Refuge, who, like
myself had observed the bad management there,
and 20 whom had promised, IL they would be
patient and give no publicity to the matter, would
In my way bring the facts to the attention of
the managers, who, i was satisfied. ignorant Of
the true condition of affairs and would not know
ingly permit such impro opreties and irregularities
to exist. 1 did not come. L told them, prose-
cutor persec utor. but as friend 10 tell them OF
the bad of the House OF Refuge bnd how
people were talking. aud of tho uniricudly spirit
that might be aroused by publication in the daily
papers, as had been determined upon by the parties