The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1890-10-08
To the People Of the state OF NTichtgdn:

To the People Of the State o. Michigan:
On my return home on the evening OF
Oct. 3, 1890, my attention was called TO
an assault upon me in the Detroit Free
Press OF that date by one j. f. McElroy,
ex-superintendent Of the Michigan School
for the Blind. The charges were OF such
grave and serious nature that, as mat
ter OF course, l realized that the people Of
the state of Michigan were entitled 70 al
immediate reply from me. I should have
been much gratiied 10 have been able 10
have forwarded by following mail my de-
Tense, out this seemed impracticable, for
the reason that desired TO place before
che people the testimony OF several per-
sons named in the article, as architect,
slate-roofers, contractors and parties who
furnished supplies for the construction Of
the buildings therein referred TO.
! found Mr.. Eberts OF Detroit ab-
sent in New York, aud was obliged
to call him by telegraph 10 Lansing in
order 10 obtain his affidavit, which was
promptly done Another, on whose testi-
mony Mr.. McElroy undertook TO convict
me, was j. c. Vincent OF Grand Rapids
was obliged to call him by telegraph to
Lansing and obtain his statement.
Mr.. John Jordan, who furnished the
bricks for the buildings at the school for
the blind, now lives in Detroit; and ind
ing him from home, was obliged 10 call
him from a distant part OF the state.
THIS difficulty was experienced with other
( witnesses, aud you can readily see, has
required time 20 arrange. l have, how
ever given myself no rest, and have hur-
ried forward the compilation Of my reply
with the greatest dispatch Of which i was
capable. The delay necessary was alike
annoying 10 me and the public. l com
fort myself, however, with the thought
that the spirit of fairness pervades the at
mosphere of Michigan 10 such an extent
that our citizens would not condemn me
until had been heard.
My appointment as member Of the
board Of control OF the Michigan School
for the Blind WAS made by the late Gov.
Croswen in 1850, without solicitation
from me; IN fact, my frat knowledge OF
the appointment was the receipt OF a
telegram from him announcing my se!ec-
II0u. l promptly wrote telegraphic
such pressure was brought 10 bear upon
me by DR.. 5 ID. Bingham aud other citi-
zens Of Lansing that l very reluctantly
consented 10 serve on the board ana lend
what aid l could toward the permanent
location OF the institution aud the con-
struction aud establishment OF the school.
] remained on the board during tho
balance of the term Of Gov. Croswel;
also during the tern OF Gov. Jerome,
GOV. Begole, Gov Alger, and a portion OF
,erm OF our present GOV. Luce.
Wy first meeting with tho board
Mas on Dec. z, 1880, at which
meeting l was elected treasurer,
and fled bond. / copy from the
public records of the institution, page Ii:
'on motion Of Mr. Applegate Mr.. James
Nj. Turner was elected treasurer OF the
board. The treasurer-elect filled out and
signed the bond in accordance with
law" This will explain about how |
came TO be treasurer, and in regard TO
the bond, the insulliciency OF which Mr..
McElroy was so exercised about. The
bond filed was for the sum Of $4,000.
On my accession TO the board l found
the j. +. McElroy named in McEhoy's
article already employed as superintend-
ent of the institution az salary of 81, coo
per year Subsequently page 10 of
record under date June II, 1881, his
salary was increased to Al, 200 per annum,
and subsequently page IS OF record
under date june - 1852, it was increased
to 81, 400 per aunum.
AT the meeting OF the board held July
\ 81. 1883, n record OF which is contained
pages 43, Al and -, 3ud on the last
med page the following entry:
she question OF the appointment Of officers,
.eachers aud employees, for tho year com
fnencing with September next, being under
Consideration, Gov. Begole moved that the
salary 81 the suDerintcndent DO fixed at
81 $40 FOR the period named. Carried.
h win be understood that at the COM
mencement OF Mr.. McElroy's connection
With the restitution HIS duties were neces-
sarffy limited, the school then being in
It's infancy, but gradually, by the exton-
siOn Of the school, and the extensive
building operations inquired by the board,
hts work became more varied; more people
we're placed under his charge aud The
. purchases for the institution which were
carried on by him became annually
greater in volume.
TOO MUCH or A JOB FOR M'ELRoY.
While In the earlier years Of his employ
ment his work was reasonably satisfactory
10 the board the Job finally became alto
gcther too large for him, aud the board
began 10 End that while he was the man
they wanted IN some places, that he was
entirely Incompetent IN others; also that
an idea seemed TO be growing upon him
that the state OF Michigan was great big
state, aud that one OF his particular Offices
on earth was % reckessly spend r goodly
portion OF the state funds. Ills extrava-
gnuce IN purchases, and his utter lack OF
business ability TO determine the kind ana
values OF goods needed for the institution
finally determined the board 20 make a
change In its method Of doinI business.
Accordingly on the 9Th day OF June, 1856.
Il was unanimously decided By the hoard
Of control thai whereas. Mr.. McElsoy