The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-08-17
A Gard to the Public,
DEAF, DUNE AND BLIND INSTITUTION,
STAUNToN. VA, August Is, 1882.


STANTON VA, August Is, 1882
The article OF Mr. T. S. Doyle, late Princi.
pal of the d., D. s. B. Institution, published
in the Vsndscator of the 11tl inst, has come to
my knowledge
of the Sd inst, as TO the condition, of the In
sttulion when took charge thereof in the
capacity of Steward, is substantially correct
Mr. Doyle, in his article, says: II have to
say that if the new Steward or the new Exec
utiye Committee mean to intimate that the
Institution was stripped OF any part of what
should have been found upon The premises
whether it be furniture of rooms or any other
article whatever, through any malieas,,nce or
misfeasance of myself or any of the late staff
OF the Institution, he and they, individually
and collectively, have wilfully and deliberate
ly stated q falsehood."
1t would seem to have been the proper and
manly course for Mr.. Doyle to have pursued
if he felt aggrieyed, to haye demanded
of the new Steward and Executive Com
mlttee if they we've responsible for and
what was meant by the article complained
of before assuming this hypothetical charge
of "malfeasance or misfeasaEce' in office
He then could have determined upon his
course as Tar rs they were concerned.
From the language used by Mr. Doyle, 1t
would seem that he thought that the new
Steward and Elk. Committee might have
meant in the information given by them
to the editors of the VALLEY VIRGINIAN
that he Doyle) had been guilty of tax
ing away property from the Institution that
did not belong to him, through malfeasance
or misieasance in office.
If the information stated was liable to any
such construction, it is difficult to see how
Mr. llnvla rnul1 wind
self in replying thereto by declaring it a false
hood.
Things were, however, found to be in very
badly neglected condition. 1t will cost al
least $751; 900 to put the premises in proper re-
pair. rs ei 4i'e
On the morning of the LIST of July, which
was Saturday, assumed the duties of Stew.
ard of the Institution. On examination OF
the premises, found there were no supplies
and about thirty persons, tw enty six hogs and
four horses to feed at the next meal hour
However, soon secured food for all, inciud
ing the horses and hogs. Only 1884 was
turned over to me by the outgoing Steward
no mention was made to me of any Other
money. 1t is true that l could now, and
could have then, bought the stock of severa
merchants ON the credit of the Institution
but Mr.. Doyle should have known that there
are expenses connected with the Institution
as to which this credit cannot be available
had to pay i'll cash laborers who depended
upon their daily labor for their daily also
in buying country produce, where it was not
practicable to open accounts, the cash had to
be paid. H' A''" ~ Aie
On Monday following commenced to make
an inspection of the whole premises, as far as
could, and although sixteen days had elapsed
since the closing Of the school, l found the
buildings in a neglected condition, needing
paint, white washing, cleaning, drainage, roof
spouting repairs, &c, and the range in the
kitchen nearly burnt out.
| The boilers attached to the engine room
| were found in bad and dangerous condi-
| ton, and are now undergoing thorough re-
| pairs.
Upon an interview with the gardener was
informed by him that the garden was very
| backward, with but q limited amount of veg
| etables, and was in a neglected condition on
account of the management having declined
to furnish him sufficient help to properly
work it.
Next called on the farmer who informed
me that the crop of corn was in a poor con-
ditiOn, owing to its never haying been prop
ery worked, and that weeds had almost full
possession. t5- ..,.,..,. ......s ..s.
Then the man who attended to the lawn and
flowers, informed me that its neglected ap-
pearance was caused ny his not being per
mitted to give it proper attention.
There was not only lack of supplies OF
food, but of large number of art icles that
are Indispensable on place like this, such as
plows, hoes, axes, mattocks, rakes, grass
blades, NC, and in the work shops the limited
supply OF tools was to a great extent in q
worthless condition. 81 as4ri ..
In confederation of the foregoing statement
of facts, | beg leave to submit the following
certificates from parties, all of whom except
Mr.. Matthews, were employed under the late
and retained under the neo administration.
Very respectfully,
.tr Ut II % tsaft-l .ss t,lH ,srJIOs g DAvIs