The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-07-15
THE WHITTIER
INVESTIGATION,
Mrs. Mitchell ReiterateS the
Accusations of Mis-
management.
OPPOSED BY TRUSTEES.
She Declares That Obstacles Are
Placed in the Way of the
Committee.
WILL PUSH THE INQUIRY.
Determined to Right the Wrongs of
Inmates of the State Reform
School.
WILL PUSH THE INQUIRY.

LOS ANGELES. CAL, July 14s-Mrs.
Ad1na Mitchell, at whose request the in
vestigation of the management of
| the Whittier Reform School was
| ordered by Governor Budd, indig-
nantly resents the statement of Trustee
Patterson that the charges of brutality to
inmates were grounGless and inspired by
malice.
81 deprecate any publicity in this mat
ter for two reasons; first, the investiga-
ton and taking of testimony is not yet
complete, and second, because have re-
garded our duties as more or less con-
| fidential owing to its relations to Gov
ernor Budd, who authorized the investiga-
tion," said the lady. 81 would prefer not
to talk about the matter
Mrs. Mitchell's attention was called to a
printed statement by Trustee Patterson,
who was associated with her in this in
vestigation, which was in part as follows:
I have a well-defned suspicion as to the
origin of certain sensational reports relative
to the Whittier school. / have also an opinion
as to the motives of designing persons who for
some weeks have been trying to impose these
exaggerations upon the press. The grounds
for these suspicious do not care to state at
present.
In reply to this statement Mrs. Mitchell
said:
81 would not at this time enter into the
discussion of this matter at all but for this
statement, which impugns the motives of
the authors of this investigation of the
institution. In order that this point may
be made clear want to say that 1 assume
full responsibility for having instigated
the investigation. When the attempted
suicide of Rhoda Webb was reported to
me from a responsible source 1 immedi-
ately wired to Governor Budd as follows:
Los ANGELES, Cal, June 80, 1896.
To Governor James H. Budd, Stockton Cal I:
Just reported to me that girl confined in
cell at Whittier attempted suicide by hanging
Saturday, and nearly succeeded. In my opin-
ion all due to Incompetence and brutality of
management. have for months done every
thing possible to change these conditions but
have not been supported. l again appeal to
you for assistance to reform these abuses of
this repulsively mismanaged institution I
prefer the pressure for reforms in this institu-
ton should come from you rather than the
public press. ADINA MITCHELL,
Trustee Whittier State School
''To this message the Governor replied as
follows:
STOCKTON Cal, July 1.
Adind Mitchell, Los angeles: Matter will be
promptly investigated. Telegraph president
OF board to call meeting for that purpose
Immediately report in writing to me all your
charges against management of institution
JAMES II. BUDD
81 knew" said Mrs. Mitchell, "there
was NO use OF applying to Trustee Patter-
son for aid or comfort. He has refused
me too often. AS for Trustee Mullen, he
was unable to attend the business meet
ings on account of sickness. 1 was, there
fore, compelled to appeal to the Governor.
Every possible obstacle has been placed in
the way of the investigation by the man.
agement, but the conviction that crying
abuses exist in the Institution and the
knowledge that 1 am working in the cause
of right, justice and humanity make me
determined to pursue the investigation to
the end, regardless of every opposition.
Now that this matter has been made pub
lie against my express wishes and garbIed
and unfair statements have been printed
in the newspapers, intend to see to it
that the whole truth Is brought to light.
1t is State institution. supported by the
public, and that public should know how
it is conducted"