Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-04-04
THE WASHINGTON ASYLUM.
The Commissioners Asked to Investi-
gate Charges Against the Management.
ENGINEER MGUIGAN THINKS He CAN PROVE SOME
SERIOUS NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. BAD FOOD AND
BAD PRACTICES STORES SAID TO HAVE BEEN
SENT AwAY--THE MATRoN's HABITS.

SERIOUS SFATEMENTs-ALLEGEp BAD FOOD AND
BAD PRACTICEs-sToREs SAID TO HAVE BEEN
SENT AwAY-THE MATRoN's HABITS.
Charges were made to-day against the man
agement of the Washington asylum, which may
lead to thorough investigation Of that institu-
ton. Rumors have been circulated often re-
specting the treatment of the inmates of
the poor-house and the conduct of
officers, but they have not taken the
shape of definite charges. The person who
comes forward now TO accuse the management
is MIR. John J. Michigan, VINO for several years
has held the post of chief engineer at the inst-
tuition, and residing in the grounds has had
opportunities for observing the conduct of
offclals and various matters pertaining to the
management. such visitor from the out
side world could not obtain.
Mr.. Michigan last Monday received notice of
his removal from Office, to take effect imme-
dlately. He stated to a STAR reporter that he
believed the real cause of the sudden action bv
the authorities was the fact OF his having talked
with reporter respecting the management of
the institution.
MR.. M'GUIGAN's LETTER.
The charges made by Mr.. Michigan are con-
tanned in letter dated, which he handed to
the Commissioners to-day, and the full text of
which is as follows:
Gentlemen: l received Yesterday q notice of
my peremptory removal from the office of
chief engineer of the Washington asylum. As
there no indication in the letter addressed
me by the secretary of the Commissioners Of
the cause for the removal, and as l am in
formed that the Commissioners were in
duced TO this action by state
ments made to them respecting nv conduct,
l ask rs a matter of justice that the Commits
sioners suspend the operation of their order
until L have been given opportunity to meet
any charge or insinuation made against me.
At the same time desire to call the atten-
ton of the Commissioners to certain matters
and suggest that investigation of the
whole management of the Washington
asylum would result to the benefit
of the unfortunate inmates Of that
institution, If not to actual saving to the Dis
trict. On several occasions, when I had de-
termined to file charges with the Commission
ers. l have been dissuaded from my purpose,
and yielded. in the hope that a better admin
istration might be secured without a public
scandal. The circumstances of my sudden re-
moval lead me to the conclusion that it is the
result of an effort to prevent proper investi-
cation of the management of the asylum by
discredlting the statements and charges am
prepared to make.
believe thorough investigation Of the in
stitution will show:
rlrSt-1udt Olu Hldterlal Del0nRlng TO the
District is sold and no account rendered Of the
money received.
SecOnd-That the matron of the institution
is notoriously addicted to drink, and negligent
OF duty, having on many occasions appeared in
the poor-house in "A state of intOXication:
Third-That the inmates of the poor-house
are neglected and the wards they occupy al
lowed TO become filthy by reason of the mat
tention of the intendant and the matron.
Fourth-Ihat women confined in the female
workhouse have been cruelty and brutally
treated by male keeper, with the knowledge
of the intendant.
Fifth-That the food furnished to the in
mates of the wOrk-house and the poor house
and to the patients in the hospital. is often
of unwholesome character and scanty in guam
tity, while the best of the products of the farm
and the dairy and the choicest supplies pur-
chased.for the institution are appropriated to
the use of the intendant and of favored officers
Sixth-That materials belonging to the insti-
tuition have been sent away to relatives of or
persons favored by the intendant and matron.
These statements / believe will be sustained
by the testimony of inmates of the poor house
and persons who have been employed at the
institution during the last four years. / will
be pleased to furnish the Commissioners with a
list of the names of witnesses.
Respectfully, &C., JOHN ]. McGUIaAN