The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-27


this reason would be more competent to judge
of such matters and their expediency than the
trustees who are only present once each month
I'VE further report that the construction OF
the house is of such character that. In our iudg
ment, there is great danger of fire and loss of
life, and we would recommend that water pipes
of sufficient capacity to run through the main
halls of the building. with hose at each door at
tached SO that they could be brought into imme-
date use in case of fire, and that ladders buck
cts and everything necessary to protect the
building and inmates from danger by fire be pro-
vided
your committee would say that it is their
opinion that the soldiers orphans department.
should be separated from the feeble minded de-
partment. SO that said classes may not come in
contact with each other, as we think that the
commingling of said classes would not be pro-
ductive of desirable results
your committee would say that they required
specific charges to be filed before the committee
against j. W. White, superintendent. and John
M. Goar, one OF the trustees, which
said charges are submitted herewith and
made part of this report, but that
your committee have not confined their investi
cation to said charges exclusively, but have
made general investigation of the affairs of the
institution and we find that the inmates gener-
ally are In state of moral and intellectual i'm
provement.
"Your committee were in session twenty-one
days and nights, and have examined ninety-o
witnesses. We ask that this report be approved
and the committee discharged
Very respectfully,
JAMES b. LLOYD, Chairman,
'"THoMAs M. SMITH,
'oTHoMAs E. BOYD,
COLUMBUS JOHNSTON,
John w. MACY,
Committee
Representative Boyd, the Republican member
Of the committee on the part of the House after
the report had been read, commented upon the
evidence that had been ELECTED in the investiga-
ton, and tho immoralities and abuses which
had prevailed in the institution. His remarks
were forcibly delivered, and were received with
marked attention '',To make an impartial in
vestigation," he said ut became necessary for
us to allow the men against whom these charges
were made to introduce such witnesses
as they desired to, which occupied
much of the long time that we
were twork-twenty- one days and nights. This
report is unanimous and impartial The testi-
mony fully sustains the finding of the report of
the committee. have heard today, since we
signed the report, that there are men in this city
who are ready to swear that John M. Goar was
frequently intoxicated, in this city, at Knights
town, and at New Castle. AS fact, he appeared
before this investigating committee on the
last night of its session very much
under the influence of liquor. In regard to the
charge Of his criminal intimacy with Nellie
Leigh, every circumstance, without going into
testimony for the defense was worked up by
men in Indianapolis. All of it, if not manu-
featured, was of doubtful character:
AS to Mr. White, superintendent, we find
man who had lacerated the back of a
feeble minded boy-a soldiers orphan-so in
humanity that the child could not lie in bed at
night-to remain in the institution for
been made to him. Superintendent White
knew of the imprisonment of boys in
dungeons, of their being fed on bread and
water only; of boys being chained together, and
of other cruelties. Yet he did not stop the in
human practices, as was in his power and as was
his duty. DR.. White, when examined, said that
he had suspected for year that Goar was guilty
of misconduct toward inmates. yet we find that
he and Goar were on the best of terms less than
year ago. If he were fit man to have charge
of the institution, he would not have then
shut his eye upon his suspicious and
been the friend he was to Goar 1 do not be-
lieve that DR.. White was guilty of criminal in.
tmacies with females of the institution, although
he was guilty of improperly. Mr.. Goar, it will
be remembered knew some of these things as
he said that if he went down others would 60
down with him. Dr. White had the power to
employ and discharge at will yet he allowed in
subordination, and he is no. fit per-
want to relieve Dr. White from any response
bility for the private bills which some
attempted to charge to the State. He stopped
that want especially to cali the attention OF
this House to the testimony, which shows that
the most infamous and outrageous acts were
| committed on the persons of inmates Of the in
stitution by man more vile than the chained
demons in hell Yet DR.. White failed to in
vestigate these gross immoraities, because, as
he feebly excuses himself he did not be-
lieve it, although told by many and by
responsible persons, whose word he had
no occasion to call in question.
Take the institution from politics, or at least
allow the Republicans minority representation
on the board of trustees. Every man who has
the good of the children of the dead soldiers at
heart when he thinks of the daughter of dead
comrade being seduced and ruined in the very
shadow of the institution meant for her protec-
ton; when he thinks of the cruelties practced
upon the unfortunate feeble-minded will
rise up and demand some means of protection
The state of affairs is sickening, ptiable horri~
BILE. Let the evil be speedily corrected.
After the conclusion Of the remarks of Mr..
Boyd, the committees report, without further
discussion, was laid on the table until 500 copies
of the document could be printed, when it will
be taken UP for consideration.
The report submitted to the Senate by
Senator Johnston, member of the committee,
during the morning session. 1t was, without de-
bate, concurred in.
LEGISLATIVE MATTERS.