Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1896-03-06
End Of the D, D. & B. Ilsdtl-
ton Investigation.
THE PRESENT BOARD OF VISITORS
REMOVED, AND 4 NEW BOARD
TO REORGANIZE THE
INSTITUTION.
The New Board Appointed
Yesterday.


composed of Senators Stubs and Buchan
an, and Delegates Walker, Hathaway and
Harrison, which has, since January 9th
been conducting an Investigation Of the
administration of the D., d. 81 B. Institu-
ton, closed it's WORK On Thursday night by
the adoption of the following report to the
legislature
1. That the immoral conduct of Mr.. Yates
in 1890, while teacher In the institute, with
Miss Riggs, is sustained by the evidence. Mr.
Yates left the institute in 1892, and went to
Arkansas. where he now resides.
2. The charge of immortality of Mr.. Bear,
one of the teachers in 1894, with Miss Hog
wood, is not sustained.
8. The improper::use of Whiskey by Mr.
Humbert and Mr.. McCambridge, now teach
ers in the institute, is sustained. 49,
Professor Euritt, one of the teachers now in
the institute, in years back had been hard
drinker, but the evidence is clear that he has
reformed, and has not drank for about three
years.
5. The charge of cruelty Of teachers to pu-
pills is not sustained by the evidence.
AS TO THE PRINCIPAL.
6. The evidence does not sustain the charge
that Captain Thomas Doyle is a hard drinker,
but it is a fact that the pupils know that
Captain Doyle does occasionally take a
drink, and it seems to make bad impression
on the pupils. &.
AS to the charge Of Captain Doyle not being
faithful and attentive to his duties as princi-
T.,
this connection the evidence warrants the
conclusion that not the slightest suspicion
rests on Captain Doyle as to any immoral
conduct towards the female pupils, but as soon
as he heard of the Yates-Riggs matter he at
once made an investigation and came to the
conclusion that there was no foundation for
the report. Then the Board of Visitors made
an examination of the Yates-Riggs matter
and came to the same conclusion. Your CON-
mittee will here state that in the investiga-
ton of the Yate.-Riggs matter made by Capt
Doyle and the Board Of Visitors. the evidence
adduced was different from that your COM
mittee now presents to the General Assembly
on this point.
Z. The financial management OF. the insti
tute by both principal and Board of Visitors
is decidedly good.
THE BAD FEELING.
8. The evidence is conclusive that there is
bad feelings existing between some of the
teachers and the Principal, and friction and
want of harmony among the Board Of Visi-
tors, some of the teachers testifying that they
could not recommend the school to parents
having afflicted children, and one of the
members of the board testifying also that he
could not patronize the school, and he would
not recommend the same.
9. 1t is also true that pending this investi-
cation one pupil has been taken away from
this institute by her parents.
{ 10. The management of this institution has
materially improved within the past two
years.
THOROUGH REORGANIZATION.
IL. 1t is also in evidence that there. has
been a lack of harmony among the Board Of
Visitors since 1888. That these facts existing.
what is the best to be done to cure the evils?
After the long investigation and the findings
aforesaid, your committee is of the opinion
that the future usefulness of this institution
demands thorough reorganization. and re-
solution:
/ Resolved, That the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind
Institute be reorganized as provided in the
bill accompanying and made part of this
report.
j. N. STUBBs,
q B. F. BUCHANAN,
HOWARD HATHAWAY,
S. H. WALKER,
G. II. II HARRISON. -
THE BILL FOR THE REORG ANIZA-
TION. -i--f.- +.t
With their report the committee submit
ted bill to be adopted by the legislature.
Z nGer it the present Board Of Visitors is
removed March 18th, six Of their success
'sors to be appointed by the Governor and
confirmed by the Senate, and the seventh
ito be the State Superintendent of Educa-
tion, Hon. John E. Massey. This gives a
board OF seven instead of nine as at present.
This new Board shall in June 1896, the
regular time for electing officers of the
Institution. reoTganize it by the election
OF such persons to fill tie offices as they
shall deem suitable. The Board at any
time may remove the superintendent, teach
ers and all other officers of the Institu-
ltion. The rest of the bill is simply a repe-
tition OF the old bill under which the Insti-
tuition is conducted. =
AN EXCITING DEBATE ON THE REPORT
IT is ADOPTED WITHOUT DISSENT
ING VOICE..
The report of the investigating commit
tee came up in the Senate Saturday night
at o'clock. The Richmond Times gives
the following account of it
Anticipating lively discussion on the
report of the special inves tigating commit
tee Of the Randolph charges against the
Deaf, Dumb and Blind Institution, at
,Staunton, for which the bill relating to
insane asylums gave way, almost every
senator was in his seat when the evening
session began last night ats o'clock.
Some were there to speak for OF against the
report. but the majority were silent --uEtll
1.-THE voting began, and then they showed
that nothing but thorough cleaning-out
,of the institution officials, against whom
in the investigation were brought out facts
(which plainly demonstrated that they were
not fit persons to be in charge Of the blind
and the mute unfortunates IF Virginia,
would suit them. -----~---.--'--s
I The scenes of the evening were the most
exciting of any Of the Senate session yet
held, and it is likely that last evenings SEES
sion will 60 down as being the warmest
held by either body Of the 1s95-''96 General
ASSEMBLY. The speakers were fednently
interrupted, caustic epitfets were hurled
across the floor, and frequently there was