Morning journal and courier., 1885-02-19

Hearing Before the Committee on
interpretations other Matters of
General Interest.
HARTFORD, Feb. IL.
Especial to the JOURNAL AND CoURIER.l
When the General Assembly convened to-
day. Hartford, like many other portions of
the State, was receiving the benefit of a
snow storm, which continued until near the
hour of adjournment. New Haven was well
represented to-day by prominent gentlemen,
among whom were Mayor Holcomb, ex-
Mayor Lewis, Corporation Counsel Driscoll,
Selectmen Beecher and Klenke, Mr.. Gilbert
of the Board of Public Works and others
These gentlemen appeared before the Com
mittee on Cities and Boroughs to advocate
| change in the act passed last year in regard
| to the Strengthening of West river. That act
| provided that if the river is Strengthened and
| the bayous or creeks created by the straight
| ening should become injurious to the public
health then the city should cause them to be
| filed. What is desired now is that a clause
| shall be inserted that shall give the city
power to assess damages and benefits on adj
joining property owners in case the filling
has to be made.
N~-OAS
| nittee on interpretations this afternoon to
| urge the passage of his resolution concerning
| alleged Irregularities in the management
| of st. Francis orphan asylum of New Haven.
| In support of his claim he had caused Bishop
McMahon, president ex-oficio of the asylum
Charles Atwater, treasurer, Father Russell of
the board of directors, and others interested
in the institution to be subpoenaed as wit
nesses. G. T. Driscoll, late secretary of the
asylum, appeared before the committee and
| stated that he did not see what the legisla-
ture had to do with the management of the
asylum. Although it was chartered insti-
tuition, yet it made returns to the State
and paid 70 taxes. He said if the matter
was to be gone into then he would like to be
heard at some future time as he had another
engagement to day.
Mr.. Carroll said that his purpose was not
to ask that the charter of the asylum be re-
pealed, but his desire was to get rid of its
dishonest officials. He said all he asked for
was fair hearing and the protection of the
orphans under the charter.
The chairman of the committee said there
was some question to the power of the
comm ttee in this matter SO far as the inves-
tigation of the charges was concerned. They
would go on for a while, however, and see
what developed before giving their decision.
The witnesses that Mr.. Carroll had sum
noned were then sworn and the hearing was
commenced. Carroll took a seat at the table,
united large package of papers and ner
vously looked them over
Moho frs% INV
Carroll. The witness stated in substance
that he became president ex-oficio of the
asylum August 10, 1869, but did not ex-
anime the books at that time. Since then he
had examined as to its financial condition.
He could not tell what its Indebtedness was
on February IS, 1884, and could not tell now
from memory. He said the treasurer was
present and he could probably give the de-
sired information. The building and the
land on which the asylum stood was all that
they owned.
Mr.. Carroll in his questioning brought out
the fact that st. Demands cemetery was
willed to the asylum by Bishop Mcfarland
and that it had the benefit of the moneys re-
ceived from the sale of lots. Carroll then
asked the bishop if he had any trouble with
Sister Felicia when she was in charge of the
asylum. The question was objected to as
Irrelevant and the committee sustained the
objection. The bishop to further questions
by Carroll said that he believed the institu-
tion was as well managed as any of its kind,
although it was deeply in debt He said he
did not remember of any real estate being
given to the institution by Margaret Joyce or
Nary Manion of New Haven.
Father Mulho1land was next taken in hand
by MIR. Carroll. In his testimony he said
that he did not complain to Father P. A.
Murphy about the management of the asy-
lum when he (Mulholland) became vice presi-
dent of the asylum. He further said that all
the cemetery did not go to the asylum as the
expenses of caring for the cemetery had to |
be paid out of it. When asked by Carroll if |
he had paid over all moneys he |
had collected for the asylum he |
replied with emphasis that he had |
and more too The reason why he had OBJ |
jected to certain Improvements being made |
in the asylum was because there was no |
money with which to pay for them.
Carroll-Have any changes been made in
he asylum since I brought my petitions
Mulholland-Do you mean spiritual or
CARROLL Resitatingly,) I mean spiritual
refer to putting in fire escapes, etc.
laughter
After further questioning which did not I
BRING out any facts of Importance, Carroll ex-
used Father Mulholland with the remark,
That's all want of you"
Charles Atwater, treasurer, was next
allied. The first question put to him by
carroll was ''Do you receive all the funds
designed for the asylum?"
Witness replied that he did not know. 'I
eceive, The said, call the money that is placed
Il my hands and give credit for it on the
books. My books show all the money re-
eived from the sale of cemetery lots and
ther sources. 1 perfectly willing to
how the committee the books at any time |
fr. Atwater told Carroll that he had no re-
election of telling him that he had written
o the bishop telling him of the bad manage
nent of the asylum, and if he had
8 he had net written to him on the subject.
lie farther said that he had no recollection of
cling Carroll that he had written to the
bishop telling him that the asylum was very
ouch in need of funds and that the bishop
eplleu thaC ne would give his Easter col
sctions to the asylum. Several other cues
ions bearing upon the same subject were
sked Mr.. Atwater, to all of which ne replied
hat he had made no such statement as init
mated or imputed to him by the questioner.
There were quite number of listeners in |
he committee room who seemed to be much
unused over Mr.. Carroll's management of
lis case 1t would appear to an outsider, SO
ar the case has proceeded, that the
7rongs complained of by Mr.. Carroll are
nore imaginary than otherwise That it |
Till ever get beyond the precincts of the
room farther than to give the pc
itioner leave to withdraw seemed to be the |
REVEALING opinion of the disinterested par
les who were present at the hearing this
fternoon.
The Finance committee will hear parties |
Interested in the taxation of vessel property |
s proposed in the act before them on Friday {
norning at o'clock. !
The reception to the members of the Gen ]
raj Assembly by Governor Harrison in the
xecutive chamber this afternoon was very !
lrgely attended. The spread was fine one
nd much enjoyed by the members.
Following is summary of the business
in the Senate and House to-day:
The Senate.
The Senate was called to order at 1890 a.
. by Lieutenant Governor Cooke Prayer =.
as offered by Chaplain Taylor. 7
Committee reports were received as fol- ]