Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-01-05

charge OF the duties OF his position, that
in undertaking to make an official report,
with access to the vouchers, he n anages to
get his figures so confused that the amount
attached to each item. is in number of
instances. incOrrect-sometimes more and
sometimes less than he makes it, There
are one or two of these items, which it
might be proper to refer to more particu-
larly. For instance. the "trip Of Mr..
Brannaman to Washington, 4" at cost of
$l7. Deeming it necessary to have list
of all deaf mute and blind children in the
State, | applied for the Information to the
Chief of the Census Bureau at Washing
ton. He replied that he had furnished
the same information to other institu-
tions, at cost of from $50 to $50, it re-
quiring extra clerical labor to coIlate it
from the various folios. He suggested,
however, that if [ would send a party to
Washington he would afford him all the
assistance he could. and in that way the
cost might be less than if he employed his
own clerks for the work. It being vaca-
ton, Mr.. Brannaman consented to under
take the job, and the SIT paid him COW
cred only his railroad fare and board in
Washington for such time as he was &C
tually engaged IN securing the information
desired. 1t is rather significant that Mr..
Davis calls particular attention to the
trips of DR.. Vaughan and Mr.. Branna-
man, but omits to mention that, under
the former administration he also enjoyed
pleasure trip; to Baltimore for the
purpose of laying in supplies. This trip
cost the Institution 500. so. and was wholly
without precedent, or. so far as | can see,
excuse. The item of $3.50 for board and
wages OF one extra man servant is only an
added evidence of Mr.. Davis incompe-
tency. In the face of his most persistent
and determined opposition this servant
was discharged and the force reduced to
the same number as in the session Of
S0-S1.
But to return to the meeting at which
these papers were read. After the
reading, 1, by permission of the Board,
orally, and in the presence of Mr..
tency and total misapprehension of the
duties of his position. In reply he de-
manded that an investigation be had, and
he be allowed to summon witnesses and
employ counsel. When asked by a member
Of the Board who were the witnesses and
what he expected to prove, he replied that
he wanted to summon some so or go wit
neSSes, some from Washington. Richmond,
Baltim ore. Staunton, and other Places
The member then said that he would be
allowed no such privilege, but that he
should state anything he might be able to
proue by alay aoitaess, and the Board rould
accept 1t as true. They were willing to
give him every opportunity to defend him
self. He, however, was unable to make
any statement or explanation further than
that contained in his paper. The Board
then. still refusing todeal harshly. adopted
resolution giving full power to the
principal and making the steward merely
the agent to carry out his directions. This
arrangement was experimental and con-
tinued about month after the time of
the annual meeting, when the Board
doubtless concluding that the interests of
the Institution could not be conserved
whilst the incumbent of the stewardship
remained-he still resisting both in spirit
and letter-again met and declared the
Office vacant.
COMPARATIVE COST OF ADMINISTRATION.
Reporter-Dr. Vaughan, [ believe, was
Paincipal for the first four months of the
last fiscal year. Have you ever instituted
any comparison of the disbursements
during his tenure of office and yours, and
do the vouchers in your possession show
such extravaganza in purchases on DR..