New-York tribune., 1885-01-04
OF INTEREST TO CONNECTICUT CATHOLICS
A COMING INVESTIGATION OF THE MANAGEMENT OF
THE ST. FRANCIS ORPHAN ASYLUM.

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| A COMING INVESTIGATION OF THE MANAGEMENT Oh
THE ST. FRANCIS ORPHAN ASYLUM
IRON AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRIBUNE.l
NEw-HAvEY, Jan. 2-The first move in what
is likely to prove the greatest sensation that has ever
stirred Catholic circles In Connecticut made on Fri
day night December o. when petition was served on
the Secretaries of St. Francis Orphan Asylum citing the
corporation appear before the next Legislature to
show cause why the charter Institution should not
be amended. The petition is brought by Mr.. Anthony
Carroll and served the Secretaries on Friday,
Dee 90 in obedience the statute which requires that
notice shall be given of such petition to the secretary at
least twelve days before the meeting of the General As
sembly. The petition is as follows:
To The Honorable General Assembly of the state OF
Connecticut be holden at Hartford on the Wednes-
day after the first Monday of January. A. d., 1850
The Aheoay mt n ac o S nS Sy
itons your honorable body and says:
Ist-That the St. Francis Orphan Asylum, in the city
and town OF New Haven. is at present governed by a
Board of Trustees and incorporation who by neglect OF
tuition hopelessy debt and have in various ways vo
lated the Institution and bylaws OF its charter and
who refuse 10 make statement OF the true financial
condition of the institution. and who likewise refuse to
allow the books OF the same to bo examined by any
competent and disinterested person.
2d-That certain sums ~ money subscribed ana 40.
mated for the purpose OF sustaining the aforenamed
asylum diverted by certain OF the Officers OF SAID
institution tOother uses and never reached the cnd Tor
which they were given.
3d-Adms sion TO the asylum Is deniedto children left
orphans unless the Board OF the same shall be guaranteed
SS S oPphans Pfhsn home %n bnt boarding house.
Inasmuch the facts above cited capable OF
TO nSare o t' the R Of hS
ained and that such action be taken as the fact and
Furthermore prays that of the truth OF the afore
mentioned allegations. which. II granted hearing by
honorable body, he Il prepared 10 substantiae,
the present Board OF Trustees and Incorporation shall be
removed and In their stead new Board shall 10 ap
the institution, In whom the public VIII have more conn
dence and that the charter Of said corporation he
amended u accordance with the OF this appca
lion. ANTHONY CARROLL
ST. Francis Orphan Asylum ia an institution supported
by the Catholic diocese of Hartford for the care of the
orphans OF the diocese It's corporation and board OF
managers consist OF the pastors Of this city and com
mtee Of aymen from each parish in the city the Bishop
OF the diocese being the president exoco. IL was In
corporated % sG5 and conducted until July
1892 by the Sisters OF Charity when the band under
Sister Fecits replaced by the Sisters OF Mercy by
order Of Father Mulhoand the first vice-prosident.
their dismissal being the result of quarrel between the
latter and Sister Felcite in regard TO the annual retreat
Of the diocesan clergy which Is held oycry at
the asylum.
The affair has been kept very quiet by secretaries
Drsco and Fox. On learning Of the service OF the petit
ton visited Carroll. aud found him. devout
Catholic naturally oath TO talk though not apparently
from any that his allegations not suscept
ible OF abundant and convincing proof. uo
asserted that he could produce specific proof
OF his charges and allege actual Instances
which showed ncompetency dishonesty and neglect on
part the managers. His demaud to the books
the institution had been refused and he therefore de-
termined to apply TO the only source left open-the
General Assembly OF Connectlcut-for authority to com
pei compliance with his request or tho large sums OF
money raised yearly from collections and other sources
for the institution lie claims there salts
factory account rendered aud alleges that II properly
accounted for and properly expended. material re-
duction would he shown of the dcbt-some 100000 In
round nnmbcrs-that has hung over the asylum Tor
years The sanitary arrangements OF the institution he
alleges defective and he also deposes that the future
religious attachment OF children is frequently disre
garded when they bound ont from the Institution in
private families The impression gained from Mr Car
rolls conversation Is that he has unoarthed
a series OF clerical irregularities in the
diocese OF Hartford that will prove startling.
Secretaries Driscoll and Fox, both of whom expert
onced attorneys refuse to say anything on the subject
alleging that Nj. CarroPs petition does not specify
enough to determine Just what are the irregularities
complained Of IL is evident. however from the frequent
consultation OF tho that they fortfying
Themselves for the hearing and that the session OF the
Legislature beginning next week at Hartford will be the
Interesting held for the Catholic population OF
,tt.Ns