The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1893-02-21
THE WHITTIER SCHOOL.

lnvestigatfons
The special Whittier Investigating
committee appointed by the senate fin
ished its work yesterday afternoon at
Whittier. The committee is composed
OF Ira l.. Ford, W. j. Buggy and Mr..
Everett. The latter gentleman was alb.
sent in the north and did not attend any
of the sessions of his committee. all Of
the examination being conducted by
Senators Ford and Buggy. The exam
nation was held at Whittier, and occu.
pied Saturday from p. m. until late in
the evening, all of Sunday and part OF
Sunday evening, yesterday morning and
few hours in the afternoon. Col. H.
g. Otis was the last witness examined,
He was on the stand for several hours,
and was questioned closely. His 'testi-
mony was, on the whole, favorable to the
school.
There were a number of other wit
nesses examined during the course of
the investigation, the testimony given
being favorable to the school.
A. E. Pomeroy, secretary of the county
grand jury, stated that that body had
made thorough examination of the
affairs of the school and found them to
be with few exceptions perfectly salts
factory. An expert had been employed
to 60 over the books OF the institution
and every dollar was found to have been
accounted for.
Mrs. Anna s. Averill was called and
testified that she visited the school
every Sunday from the Congregational
church for the purpose of instructing q
number of girls. Every courtesy was
shown and the management extended
every facility to assist her in the work.
Major Stern and F. A. Gibson, two of
the trustees, were examined at some
length in relation to the affairs of the
school and Its present condition.
Hervey Lindley, ex-trustee, was also
examined. His testimony was in line
with that of the others.
A. F. Mackey, who constructed the
building, states that at the time the
work was done there was q large num-
Der of persons in Los Angeles out of oc.
cupation, and labor was accordingly
cheaper than usual and 1t was due to
this condition OF affairs that large sum
of money was saved TO the state.
81. q. Osborne was examined, but his
testimony was of general character
and in praise of the school.
Paul Botellier, an inmate of the school,
testified as to the condition of the other
boy inmates. He said that they were
treated with consideration, and none re-
garded the school as prison.
The testimony of Father A. Mortaner-
ELI, Catholic priest, was interesting
and highly complimentary to the school.
He visited the institution regularly and
was given entire freedom at all times.
Gen. E. P. johnson of the Los Angeles
Furniture company testified that the
prices charged for furnishing the school
were no higher than would have been
charged any private person or cor
poration.
Miss DeWolf, superintendent OF the
girls department, was also examined.
She gave brief outline of the condition
of the scholars, and advocated the cot
tage system, which consists in the girls
being segregated according to their de-
| gree of ethical culture.
DR.. and Mrs. Lindley were also closely
examined.
A searching investigation was made
into the charges that the girls and the
boys were guilty of immoral practices.
Nothing was found to substantiate them.
After concluding their investigation
the committee came to Los Angeles and
in company with the other committees
and DR.. Lindley left en- the p. m.
Santa Fe train for San Bernardino by
way of Pasadena. The insane Asylum
will be visited and the committees will
go from there to Riverside, returning to
Los Angeles this afternoon at O'Clock.
They will leave tonight for Sacra-
mento.
The senate and house public buildings
committees inspected the normal school
yesterday morning. They stated that
the school was an excellent institution,
but was greatly overcrowded. 1t ought
to receive the $4,000 appropriation, and
it should be increased to 100000.