The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1879-03-20
The Deaf and Dumb Asylum, ELI
Ons,', "Cub.o and other IhIDgs.
AUSTIN. March IS. 1870

AUSTIN, March Is, 1879.
Editors Democratic Statesman:
In the Gazette of this morning ap-
pears a pathetic appeal ''to the people
of Texas" over the signatures of three
trustees, whom the subcommittee has
seen ft to dub "cI-devsnt judges. "
One can imagine with what pleasure
they waited for the report of the sub
committee. The tenor of their gratu-
itous contribution to this mornings
Gazette would indicate that their pleas
ure was little mixed with sadness.
Again we repeat that they have not
complied with the law. The evidence
of all the trustees showed this fact
and proves the assertion. If the gen
tlemen who signed the gratuitous con-
tribution were mistaken in their testi-
mony before the committee, they
should have requested re examina-
ton, which would have been cheer
fully granted by us, for our sympathies
were aroused in their behalf from the
anxious manner in which they testi-
fed. We cannot conceive of testi-
moDy more voluminous than that of
the gentlemen referred to. The mag
nitu6e Of their shortcomings is mag
nified by the admission that they
knew the law on the subject of asy-
lums. The subcommittee were gen.
erous and attributed their subversion of
the letter of the law to their ignorance.
The gentlemen progress in their
argument and say that from their off,
cial position they are presumed to be
gentlemen. Well, taking this as an
abstract proposition, we are free to say,
that the presumption is tolerably fair
one; and following this, as in other
parts of their appeal, is series of
periphrases to prove that it was be-
meath the dignity of these immaculate
gentlemen to take the trouble to &C.
quaint the Governor with any NAL
administration and, in so doing, COM
ply with the law. II is not this, Mr..
Editor. These gentlemen, fully cog
infant of the dignity of their positions,
wanted "to run that little Deaf and
Dumb Asylum boat" to suit them
selves. In fact, sir, they were
"greater men than Grant," The sub
committee were of the opinion that
the trustees were incapacitated and, as
delicately as possible, narrated some
of their shortcomings. Again our
charity overcame us and we were will
ing to attribute this, also, to their ig-
norance. 1t is our recollection that
some Of the trustees, or at lesst one of
them, testified that the mutes were
remarkable for their veracIty. The
appeal OF the trustees, as it ap-
pears IN the Gazette, is veritable
endorsement of the subcommittee re-
port; else why do they touch only en-
the case of Miss Boa2? The evidence
was clear and conclusive, at least to us,
that the treatment of Miss Roaz was
more severe than is set forth in the re-
port. Miss Boar is not on trial-the
trustees are, and between the two the
former, supported by half dozen
mutes and teacher, against whose in
tegrity no trustee dare say aught we
are inclined to believe Mss BosZ. The
gentlemen, ''who, from their official
position, are supposed to be such, "again
admit that they shave Investigated
other and all complaints Of cruelty and
found only enough truth to paint gil
gantic falsehoods." We concur with
the gentlemen and think that their re-
port and appeal pronounce them ex-
cellent artists. The subcommittee
never iosinuated that Mrs. McCulloch
received any pay. We presume that
the z superintendent and trustees
thought it would look odd for one
member Of the family to be exempt
from official duty. We do not care to
refer 10 the other two instances Of
..roushnessn mentioned by the trus-
tees. 1t Is enough for as that every sol
itary charge in that report Is sustained
by the evidence, and many of them by
the admission Of General McCulloch
aud the trustees. The gentlemen
AK 'sWherein does it appear that the
superintendent violated any or the OBJ
LEGATIONS Of an ofilcerir Let fall the
scales from your eyes, you Immaculate
trusteesl To man mp tree 1t would
seem that he had not. but TO us who
stand fat footed on our oaths as legisla'
tors, 1t Is far different. Your obtuse-
ness, gentlemen, IL remarkable; this il
Why We say you are incapable. Your
testimony before the committee, to q
casual observer, would seem not e. al
partisan, but to rs, who have dived
down and arrived at the true inward
ness Of your disinterestednesa things
look differently. Oae Of your number
is = physiciAn Tor the institution, but
Of eoarss thele is no PAY in It You
are innusneed purely By Jour eve to'