The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-12-06

iubi hcctliiS VI tlio DVttlu. III oiio ipS"i
time, finding that | had no real control @
the expenditures and being monthly cor
fronted by complaints from the Executiy
Committee that the vouchers were large
than they should be under an economics
administration, after collecting the dat
for my annual report, presented itemize
statements of the expenditures and Shove,
where the responsibility rested. The Eek
ecutive Committee cited both Mr.. Dayi
and myself before the Board at its annua
meeting, instructing us to present sucl
facts as each could, in order to locate tn
mismanagement where it properly be
longed, and also to meet the charges O.
inharmony and disagreement between us
In obedience to the instruction, I pre-
scented paper to the Board setting fortl
the extraordinary character Of some Of thu
expenditures and plainly showed that there
were articles purchased by the steward
which were not necessary to the interests
of the Institution, and some of which coult
not have been designed for use in ON
household. Among other things | no
ticed the exorbitant bill for whiskey ant
cigars; 30 yards of cloth at $l.25 pei
yard, Il quantity at 81 per yard. which
was never designed for pupils, who are the
only ones we provide clothing for from
the Institution funds $3.50 for water;
closet paper $50 hats for so boys and Other
items of n similar character. These pur
chases were made before my term com
menced. To not one of these charges could
Mr.. Davis give other than the lamest, OF
explanations.
The paper he submitted was the same
rs that published in the Tildicotor, tC
which will now advert. In the first place
it was not responsive to the instructions
of the Executive Committee, in that ii
failed to touch upon the expenditures fol-
supplies, which was the principal item in
the charge of mismanagement He went
back beyond the last fiscal year to charge
DR.. Vaughan with $685. for "a pleasure
trip North. = That trip was taken by Dr.
Vaughan by direction of the old Board, it
having been the custom for years for the
Principal to visit Northern Institutions
with view of noting their working, and
gaining valuable information from his OBJ
seryation. Another item in the account,
under heading of Amounts paid for
which the Institution received no bene-
fit, 7 as you will see by the Vaadicator, was
1922 to J. S. Lipscemb. This was for work
done on water closets by Mr.. Lipscomh,
under contract. during the administra-
tion of DIR. Vaughan. When the present
Board came into control, Mr.. Davis made
violent objections to the payment of the
bill, declaring that the work was not prop
erly done, and the price charged exorbi-
tant. In view of this objection, the
Board authorized an examination and re-
port upon it by an expert. Mr.. w. r.
Smith. of Staunton, was employed, and
after a thorough investigation both as to
the character of the work and cost, re-
ported that it was an excellent job and had
cost the Institution $40less than he would
have been willing to do it for | may add
that to this day the work continues to give
the fullest satisfaction. This objection of
Mr. Davis cost the Institution $40, that
being the amount charged by Mr.. Smith
for his report. 1t came near costing
good deal more, Mr.. Lipscomb reasonably
claiming that he was entitled to the full
amount which the Institution s referee de-
clared as just. OF course, i cannot under
take in the space allowed me, to deal with
each item in this account of the steward.
Nearly every expenditure which he men
lions was necessary for the interests
of the Institution, and explains itself.
1t may be stated however, that so incom-
petent was Mr.. Davis for the dis
charge of the duties Of his position, that
in undertaking to make an official report,
with access to the vouchers, he manages to
get his figures SO confused that the amount
attached to each item. is. in number of
instances, ncorreot-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 partcu-
larry. For Instance. the "trip of Mr..
Brannaman to Washington, at cost of
$T. Deeming it necessary to have list
of all deaf mute and blind children in the
State, l 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 foIios. Tie suggested,
however, that it 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 il he employed his
own clerks for the work. 1t being vaca-
tiOn, Mr.. Brannanlan consented to under
take the job, and the $l7 paid him COW
cred only his railroad fare and board in
Washington for such time as he was ac-
tualy 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 $20-SA, 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
80-81.
But to return to the meeting at which
these papers were read. After the
reading, I, by permission of the Board,
orally, and in the presence of Mr..
Davis, charged him with gross incompe-
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 member
of the Board who were the witnesses and
what he expected to prove, he replied that
he wanted to summon some SO OF go wit
snesses, some from Washington, Richmond,
Batim ore, Staunton, and other places
The member then said that he would be
oIlouroJ no .cuob nriyilaUa Inf tbat 10