Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-05
PROF. YATES INTERVIEWED.
lie Says the Charges Against Him
Are False in Every Particular.


LITTLE ROCK. ARK, February A.
| Special 1.-THE Dispatch correspondent
called on Professor Frank Il. Yates to-
night and asked him to make statement
concerning the charges brought against
him In the investigation Of the Deaf,
Dumb and Blind Institute OF Virginia.
owing to the lateness Of the hour Pro-
foesor Yates said he could not prepare
all he desired to say tonight. but that
he wished 10 deny In the most emphatic
terms the charges made. They are false
In every particular" he said. They have
been proved 50 once before, and can be
again. | cannot understand why this mat
ter Is agitated again. unless 1t be to vent
the spleen Of some one with sup
posed grievance. Several years ago
heard these ugly rumors concerning my
conduct. and / demanded an investigation
at the hands of the Board OF Visitors
WAS FULLY ENUMERATED.
"This investigation was made in tho
rough and searching manner, and the re-
suit was that l was fully exonerated on
the following resolution adopted by the
board at the time:
"Rosolved. by the board, after reading
the dispositions, exhibits, and the report
Of the subcommittee appointed on the
eth instant TO investigate the charges
against Professor Yates. a teacher In the
institution; That there Is no foundation
for such charges; and that, i'm the
opinion of the board, il Is unnecessary
for It to give any further consideration
TO said charges, and that Mr. Yates
should not IN any respect be prejudicod
thereby
This resolution was adopted June %.
ID I in, bQ fhHrn-
after until I was called to accept the
position Of superintendent of the Arkan-
sas institution.
II have a letter from Annie Riggs,
who is said 10 be the prosecuting wit
ness, written at Guildfort, Va. Septem-
Der "A. 1881. in which she says the
charges made against her. in which my
name was coupled, were all trumped up
at the Richmond reunion of the deaf
mutes.
GOOD WORD FOR DOYLE.
Captain Doyle. Professor Humbert, and
Professor J. W. AIichaels all had let
tiers from her, denying that any i'm
proper relations existed between the girl
and me. / want to say another thing
the charges against Captain Doyle and
the other teachers OF the institution are
false, so far as | know. | have never
known a man more honorable, heightened
industrious. and painstaking than Cap
tain Doyle.
There is animosity at the bottom Of
all this. Why Is II that some one beside
children did not know of this? How
could such infamy 80 on I'm a civilized
community for years under the very noses
OF some Of the best women that Virginia
ever produced and they not know It?
Why were these charges not made when
all of those who now give testimony knew
Of the boards investigation? Why is II
that instead OF preferring these charges
some of these same witnesses wrote let
tiers of praise and endorsement Of some
OF those they now assail, and since then
have knocked continually not only at
the doors Of the Virginia institution. but
also at the Arkansas institution for adj
mission as associates with those upon
whom they now heap all this infamy?
Il will prepare a full statement to-mor-
row. and hope II will be given as Wide
publication as have the charges"
in this connection. 1t might be stated
that the people OF Arkansas do not believe
the charges against Professor Yates. The
teachers and pupils in the institution and
tho Board Of Trustees have the fullest
confidence in his honor and integrity. His
conduct here has been exemplary, and his
institution is the pride OF the State.