The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-03-14
THE HOME.
INVESTIGATION OF THE CHARGES
MADE HY THE GRAND JURY.

mayor Gau0n ana AQm1u1RsrafOrg Cnevalley
and Behan paid visit yesterday morning tt
the Home Of the Aged and Inflrm. at the corner
of Annuneetion and Caiope streets, to exam
Inc the Institution and inquire into tho charges
contained In the report Of the grand jury pub
llshed In the DEMOCRAT yesterday morning. to
the effect that the institution was In filthy con-
ditiou, and that the grand Jurors are COM
PEELED to report the condition and management
OF the institution disgrace to the fair fame OF
our city, and would therefore respectfully
recommend to those In authority that the in
stitution be at once abolished. and the inmates
be provided for by being placed In other asy-
lums."
Our reporter met Administrator Behan after
the visit, and asked him the result OF the inves-
tiRation. The administrator answered that In
the opinion of the officials who visited the insti-
tuition. the charges were unsustained. except
possibly In the matter OF an clubhouse. which
served as shelter to two of the inmates. whose
physical condition was such that. especially
with the means ut the command OF the city, could
scarcely be improved.
Our reporter subsequently paid personal
visit TO the Home. the result Of which Ia given
as follows: The institution contains fifty nine
inmates, very large majority OF whom are
women. all aged. mostly inflrm there are four
blind, and not few childish and several par
TALLY insane. A few are very intelligent and
educated, and are connected with some Of our
best people OF former days.
These ffty-ni people are attended to by one
person alone Mrs Gus. Meyers. the matron,
who is evidently woman of intelligence and
uncommon energy. All the work of cleaning
M, serubbing. washing and cooking is done by
the inmates themselves. and considering the
age and condition OF the building. everything
appears to be kept In q remarkably clearly
manner. AT least so our reporter found mat
tiers yesterday. and the general appearance OF
the institution seemed TO indicate that order
and cleanliness must have prevailed there for
some time previous. The present standard
could not have been attained In the yard. the
dormitories. kitchen or refectory In q few days
work. The building Itself is In need Of repairs
and painting, inside and outside, and the
bedding ID insufficient to maintain that neat
and tidy appearance which characterize such
charitable institutions as the institution of the
Little Sisters OF the Poor, for example. but
Nth there was none 10 be seen anywhere or
any indications that Il had existed at any recent
period.
Az to the treatment OF the inmates our re-
porter interviewed fifteen or twenty Of them. q
majority Of whom out of the presence Of Mrs.
Meyers, the matron. and found that among the |
more Intelligent persons great distress had
been created by the grand jury report. which |
they believed would have the effect OF abolish
inglthe Home and casting them upon the streets |
to die. One Of these was Creole lady whose |
name is we'll known In New Orleans. and who.
although our reporter did not seek to interview
her, gave him an opportunity OF doing SO by |
accosting him and asking about the truth con-
cerning the reported abolition OF the inettu-
ton. Her responsibility. intelligence aud edu-
cation lent d great deal Of weight to her testi-
mony and her account of the treatment she
and the other inmates received was mSst favor
insttUtion H. onls two cases Of dissas
faction presented themsel ves-that of an
old woman. Of q very doubtful condition Of
mind, who In cheerful and incoherent way
manifested some dissatisfaction. without being
able to name any special grievanee, and who
plainant was 4 blind veteran Of the Army OF the
Tennessee. who Expressed himself well salts
Ret rice frequently enough. IN article Of df p
which be was very fond OF and. would like to
have every day. The bread and beef. provided
for the institution, we're found to be OF excellent
quality, and the store room. a delightfully."- clean
apartment. to contain plentiful supply OF
II might be added that we're the city OF New
Orleans In prosperous condition and capable ,
Of appropriating large sum Of money annp-
not be credit to the authorities. who should
then provide for model institution; but, rs It
ls. and whilst superfuity and finish Is absent !
from the Home, the strict neceasaries Of life {
are supplied. The Home, like the City Insane 9
Asylum. IS the opterowth Of cIrcums tances, s
Be at the exclusive charge Of the city Of New
Orleans. Its inmates are mostly people whose
habits or circumstances preclude them from a
ters." As one Of our city officials said yester 7
day, something had to be done to afford them a
sstsSs6 o. SnS ssdm sna
= cost within the means Of the mo-
nicipality, Some y, Of the women. for a
after walk outside Of the inclosure. return Ia 7
q state Of intoxication on act which would cef- {
teinly cause their election from any OF the
viii not be cared for By their friends and rela.
lives, and that we have no refcrmatory. institu. !
q oP bs d h Ws e Pe9BB s a 6ey are 1sns
met Two Sisters Of Charity. who had come on I
visit to minister to the spiritual wants of the
that these visiis were frequent on the part of :
the religious Of both the Catholic and Profess !
tant faith. A few benevolent ladies' also, call
Association OF the Army Of the Tennessee visit {
the disabled soldier spoken Of above.
the matron-$4O a montb-and 1t is under the
direct supervision Of Mr.; + 4. Fourniers one Of
the chief employees Of , Aadministrator Chsya-
leans for, his intelligence. kind-heartedness
Al the next meeting Of the City Council Ad-
ministrator Cheyalley will present for adoption
. report. In the following sense:
Every 6D0eAVDr mas Dben mHue Wlbn1n the
means at my command, to improve the institu-
tion and ameliorate the condition Of Its In Q
mates. but farther attempt to satisfy public q
opinion. az explained through the grand iures .
of the parish, seems o hopeless task and an
acduieecence In the demand L. doubtless, the c
best action the Council can ADOPT.
THE complaints of number Of the inmates
OF bad treatment of those In charge are untrue.
have kept too strict surveillance over the :
management OF the institution to permit the
same to pass unrefuted. The majority OF the
inmates are from the lowest grades OF society:
are unreliable. unruly and unceanly.
THE estab ishment Is kept In as good condi- 4
ton as possible. the premises being too small
for 30 large u number as provided for and in
other ways untitled for the purpose" +,
THE CADDO ACCUSED.
1t Is great hardship upon those gentlemen
who have been brought down from the parish \
OF Caddo to be forced to wait here for another q