The New York herald., 1879-09-16


me. unassisted to put them in the shape Of state
ment, and further that I thought what knew
could be best brought out when examined as wit
ness under oath on an investigation. explained
that | wished to have present my friend and coun-
sell Mr. Ransom. to advise and assist me IN present
ing TO the managers in proper shape the matter to
COMMITTEES were unwilling to admit Mr. Ranso m
or 10 have a formal investigation, there being no
way of administering an oath. except II were done
bv Mr. Ketchum a. register in bankruptcy or by MIR.
Jarvis as Clerk of the Court OF Common Pleas
a notary. suggest ted that any member OF the State
Board OF Charities might be invited to administer
the necessary oath and summon witnesses as they
were empowered to do so by law; Mr.. Katchum
said they did not want any member or the State
Board as that body had right to investigate the
House of Refuge and. he thought no power to ad-
minister an oath.
NO OUTSIDERS WANTED.
Mr.. Robinson expressed himself as being opposed
to admitting any person TO these deliberations ex-
cept those now present. he did not want any body
who, by questioning witnesses. would bring out all
the bad. II. he said a stenoerapner Were employed
which might be published in the newspapers, which
would have a bad effect on the public mind, and II
il reached the boys in the House OF Refuge, would
make them riotous and mutnous and cause trouble.
] answered that Mr.. Robinson expressed the very
feeling that feared nigh exist in the minds OF some
of the managers in opposition to free and full in
yestigation, and that felt that the very moment
they would begin an inquiry they would nnd mass mass
from going further. They would md an ulcer that
they would refuse to probe The managers com
mittee would be affected by the disclosures that
they would naturally be disinclined to ''bring out
all the bad" Mr. Robinson had so well expressed
it. For that insisted upon having the pres
ence and advice of Mr.. Ransom. The committee
finally consented to my being accompanied by Mr..
Ransom at our next meeting. but with the express
understanding that he not to appear my
REQUESTED TO Make A STATEMENT.
Mr. Ketchum then introduced u resolution which
adopted. of which the following is copy
''rhat Colonel Clay is requested to bring in upon
the adjourned day such statements in writing Of
facts in support of his charge no may think
proper to be subscribed and ii he pieases sworn to
by am ana sis wa to eet on the ooWns
Monday. At this next meeting there were pres
ent Messrs. Ketchum and jarvis. represent
ing the managers; myself and Mr. Ran
som, who represented me in the conversation
which followed. Mr.. Ransom informed the COM
mittee that he had accompanied me in the interest
of reform and good management at the House Of
Refuge; that actuated by friendly feelings and
was entirely disnterested that neither Of chad an
axe to grind" that we did not charge the manage
ment of the House Of Refuge with personal knowl-'
edge of the bad management or irregularity. but
that did charge Mr.. Jones. the superintendent
and Mr.. Brush. his brother-in-law. the 8assist-
ant superintendent. as being incorrupt and
hold and as being responsible for the deplorabe and
unsatisfactory condition Of things. The only way
by me. it was urged, would be the removal from
Office of those and other persons who would be
shown to be unit for any position IN areformatory
tee that should prepare aud submit
to the managers detailed statement Of facts within
my personal knowledge and further statement Of
facts which would be susceptible of proof by wit
nesses known to me; these statements to be made
for the use and information of the managers aone
and not to be shown to any of the accused officers
and the managers to investigate II IN their opinion
made out prima facie case.
APPLYING FOR CLERICAL AID.
Alter adjournment asked Mr.. Jarvis. in the
presence of Mr.. Ransom and by his advice, to fur
nish with clerk or stenographer to prepare the
statements for the managers rs It would probably
take all the working days between that time and the
Sa Tor M me 70 the a N con-
had been requested to give. / argued that
alone and unaided, it would certainly take
me a months hard labor to boil down my
notes, to say nothing of the preparation Of the
many statements Of persons who had knowledge
the subject Mr. Jarvis said he would talk with Mr..
TO binson, the chairman of the committee, and see
what could be done. but he did not think there
any fund for that purpose. He did agree however,
that such assistance should be given me If possible.
reminded him Of the intention of Mr.. Ketchum to
employ stenographer to take my statement ut the
first meeting of the committee of conference. He
told to call him in the morning and he
would what could be done. did as requested
and informed by Mr.. Jarvis that he had not yet
Mr.. Robinson and to call again. On Wednesday,
called again on Mr.. Jarvis, who said he had been
to Mr.. Robinson in regard to giving stem
ographer Mr.. Robinson not being at his Office Mr..
Jarvis left note for him. and for to call again in
the morning. On Thursday called on Mr.; Jarvis.
but he was out of town and probably would not
turn until Monday. On Monday went to the Office
OF Mr.. Jarvis. who said there funo to
had written Mr.. Robinson last Tuesday about it, but
had received no reply. and advised my calling on
! to Newport the Thursday previous 1 then went to
| the Office of Mr.. Ketchum. the president Of the
| Board and the other member OF the committee. I
told Mr. Ketchum Of my having spoken to Mr..
jarvis several times and of his having written to
Mr.. Robinson about giving me q stenographer or
clerk to assist me in boiling down my voluminous
notes into condensed shape for the of the
managers. and which was to present to their
mittee the following Thursday.
PURPOSE
Mr.. Ketchum said he did not think there was any
thought ought to prepare the statement myself in
my own handwriting; that the managers could not
be Interested in assisting me to prepare statement
against themselves that they were ready to receive
the statement and II 1t was important they would
hx o time for investigating It; that they had no
time to ait there and hear what had to say; that
they of business. and could not spare the
time to do anything except to read the statement
/ was to make. 1 said was willing and anxious to
make the statement but as we. US u committee of
conference. had fixed upon having that statement
made did not think it right that should be ex-
pee, ed to do all the work. that willing to do
more than my share to give them the facts and my
time. and it was little US they could do to furnish
swered impatiently that I was not part Of
the committee and had no voice in their
committee to confer with me / supposed was
part OF that conference. Mr.. Ketchum replied,
ayers and was in position OF one attacking. as
sured him OF his error in suprosing was assail-
ant. l came. said. as friend. and had 80 men
toned to several of the managers when I
give them the information SO necessary
for them to know they did not az
much thank for doing. Mr.. Ketchum,
in angry tone. said, "They do thank you.
You entitled to no thanks. You are telling them
of gross irregularities and you will be held respon-
sibe for the truth OF your statements They do not
believe anything that may have been said against
Mr. Jones'" l replied that responsible, and
the managers certainly misunderstood my motives.
and il they declined to assist preparing the
statement, which for their and Information,
must go whore could get that assistance.
DEfYINo EXPOSURE.
To which Ketchum said:-"WeIdo not fear your
threats; you may where you please and say what
you like; the managers have fear OF what may
be said; they have every confidence In Mr.. Jones.
and do not believe anything that 10 said against
him." lie lketchum) had. he said. examined tho
bodies OF the boys Ut the House of Refuge aud he
could not ind any bruises or lacerations. the
attacking party. he added. and must prepare ut my
cost of time aud labor my bill of complaint. and
when that was done tho managers would re-
ccive it, 1 said 1 would give IL gladly but
must have clerical aid, IL would take q
month to do it without assistance, and az l had my
living to got aud had family dependent for
support. could not spend that time IN doing work
which the interest of the managers aud tho
welfare OF the institution. tben started to leave