The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-27
THE KNIGHTsrowN INSTITUTION.
The Investigating Committee Reports tn
Practice of Gross Immoralities.

THE KNIGHTSTOWN INSTITUTION.
The Investigating Committee Reports the
Practice of Gross Immoralities.
The legislative committee appointed to inves-
tigate the scandalous charges against the officers
OF the Soldiers Orphans Home and the Asylum
for Predetermined Children presented report
to the General Assembly yesterday morning.
Ninety-one witnesses were examined concerning
the affairs Of the institution and the charges
against the officers, and the committee was en-
gagged twentyone days in conducting the
investigation. The testimony which was
elected, according to the report, shows
that inhuman abuses and shockingly outrageous
immoralities have been practiced in the institu-
tion The immediate removal Of John NJ. Goar,
whom the committee gives an cdiously bad bill
Of character, Is recommended, but nothing is
said regarding the other trustees. DR..
White, the superintendent, is found guilty of
nothing worse than gross negligence Of duty,
but the disgraceful abuses which were practiced
under the loose management is sufficient cause
for the committees recommendation that he be
deposed.
In presenting the report to the House. Mr..
tee, said that the members of the committee had
endeavored to make the investigation thorough.
They had worked hard, and they had been unan-
imous. "Poltics," he said, ibid in no way in
terfere with the investigation. AS Democrat,
l wished to relieve my party from all indications
of attempting to smother the truth or hide the
unwhoesome facts. understand that a bill has
been introduced in the Senate on this question.
l regard that an insult to this committee.
"a podo in %hn To hat 4ha
mittee delayed to hear long arguments in behalf
of the defense. All of this is absolutely false.
That Senate bill is rather previous, to say the
least"
THE COMMITTEES REPORT.
The report of the investigating committee. as
presented to the General Assembly, was as fol
lows:
Your committee, appointed by and under
joint resolution of the House of Representatives
and Senate, composing the General Assembly of
the State, beg leave to submit the following re-
port and recommendations concerning the affairs
and officers of the Soldiers Orphans Home and
Asylum for Predetermined Children at Knights
town.
1--WE have had the matter of said investiga-
ton under consideration, and find that John M.
Goar. one of the trustees of said institution,
has been guilty, during his term Of Office, of
acter is bad that he has been
guilty of gross, immoral conduct; that
his general character for virtue and chas-
tity is bad and for a further finding the
said committee would beg leave to report that
said John NJ. Goar has been guilty during his
said term of Office as such trustee, of having IL
licit intercourse with female inmate of said in
stitution, of about the age of fifteen years. and
has been guilty, during his official term as such
trustee, of attempts to Seduce two other female
inmates, each of the age of fifteen years, of said
institution, who were and are orphans of de-
ceased soldiers Of Indiana
We have had under consideration the charges
against the superintendent, John w. White and
from the evidence heard, and herewith sub.
mitted and made part of this report we find,
so far as such charges criminate him, that they
are untrue; that his character for sobriety,
chastity and virtue is above reproach, and that
the charges, SO far as they relate to the conduct
of members of his family, each of them, are un-
true and wholly false; that, as superintendent,
he has provided and caused to be provided,
ample clothing. proper and nutritious food and
instruction, and has kept and maintained good
sanitary conditions in said institution. We
further find that the said John W.. White has
been grossly negligent in repeatedly allowing
things to 90 undone that should
have received his immediate attention,
namely He has negigently allowed severe
ants, governesses and teachers. He has allowed
children in both departments to be locked in
close and dark closets, and fed only on bread
and water from one day to week. and permit
and one night in dark closets. and compelled
them thereby to sleep together while so hand
cuffed, which punishments, in the opinion of
your committee, were excessive, cruel and in
human. He acted indiscreetly at various times
by locking himself in his private Office with
female teachers and others connected with the
Institution, but your committee is of the opinion
from all the evidence upon that subject
that it was at no time for an inn
proper or immoral purpose. He allowed one
Charles Morgan, an employee Of said institution
| to remain in the institution for some time after
the said Morgan had inflicted upon one Ed Boiler
feeble minded boy and soldiers orphan most
cruel and inhuman punishment. He permitted
one Of the attendants for some time to remain in
the institution, and as employee of the same
after said attendant had been guilty of name
less crime with boys from ten to fourteen years
of age, he the said White, having such informa-
| ton as should have put him on immediate in
curry and investigation as to the truth of said
information. and which INQUIRY would
most certainly have disclosed to him fully
the evidences OF this most horrible
| practice. We further find that he has not given
that close attention to the subject of the schools
| that the Importance of the same in our opinion
demands We, therefore, beg leave to report
the following conclusions, which we have de-
| That the said John NJ. Goar is not q fit person
for the position of trustee of said institution,
and we, therefore, recommend that he be re.
| moved by legislative enactment from said office
as such trustee.
1--WE further find, from the foregoing facts and
the evidence in the case, that John W. White is
not fit and proper person to superintend said
institution, and we therefore, recommend that
he be removed from said trust as such superin-
tendent.
1--WE would further recommend that law be
| Immediately passed delegating to the Governor
of the State power to remove either the superin-
tendent or trustees Of said institution for cause
and at least one of said trustees should be of the
opposite politics to the other two and we are
further OF the opinion that the superintendent of
said institution should have full power to remove
any teacher, employee, attendant or other sub
ordinate officer for cause. either with or without
the consent or approval of said trustees. This
we wonld recommend in view of the fact
that said superintendent, by virtue Of his du-
ties, should be present at the institution