Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-09

"As to the trades taught there, must
say ] think they are somewhat backward.
For instance. ] think II is not wise to
teach many pupils in typesetting, be-
cause typesettng machines are coming
more In use, and II is very hard to secure
permanent employment in the printing
trade"
Questioned by Mr.. Stubbs, witness said
that he had never heard of the Yates
Investigation until recently. He lived in
StauntOn at the time when the investiga-
ton took place, but never heard OF II.
He had sent written letter to the
board and asked that a representative or
the press be admitted, but the request
was declined.
Can you recall why you made the
request in writing?"
II think ! had an inklng that some
investigation as to drinking liquor was
going on. This was before the inyestiga-
tion was made public. / don't believe we
published the result, because was unable
at the time to ascertain what the result
was. got a copy Of the proceedings
about a month later. but 1t had then
passed from the mind of the public, and
do not think | referred to II"
You doubt the wisdom OF teaching the
deaf-mute the trade of printing!
II do not think IL would be wise TO
teach many pupils that trade. The board
has recently taken the matter under con-
sideraton. but do not know what they
have done"
NO JUNKETING TRIPS.
do you know of any junketing trips
made by members Of the board?'
II do not. i heard only acciden-
tally Of II. ] know that Mr.. Miller and
Captain Doyle went together up North
TO study other institutions of that charac-
ter. l also know that Mr.. Lindsay and
Captain Doyle went together. and l have
no doubt that il was for the benefit OF
our institution, but II the matter was
given TO the public at the time, with the
proper explanations, nothing wrong would
be thought of II. The last time the public
had anything about the meetings OF the
board was about two or three meetings
ago."
''Do you remember whether you COM
mended Mr.. Yates in your paper at the
time of his leavlng?"
II did give him some letters OF recon-
mendation to friends in Arkansas, be-
cause / considered him a good teacher.
and at that time | thought he had given
up drinking entirely. When / happened
TO meet Mr. Forrer 1 casually conversed
with him as 10 what happened at the
institution. AS a rule. we had some
representative OF the paper at the meet
ings of the Executive Committee
Were you or your representative ever
refused access to the recordsT'
II cannot say that we were. We had
no special desire 10 see the records. be-
cause they would not always show what
transpred: but the clerk would never
show the record, except upon an order
from the president"
II never personally made any great effort
to see the records. except during the time
OF the investigation. When l saw copy
OF the testimony taken at that time. Mr..
FOgTer told me what the result had been.
i have further talked with Major Elder.
the predecessor of Mr.. Forrer, but never
made an effort to see tn" records under
him. If the Yates investigation took place
In 1882 1t must have been under Mr. Elder.
have never seen any pupils OF the school
in the city under the influence OF liquor,
but 1 have seen an employee under the
influence. who carries the mail. The boys
behave themselves very well. as far as /
can see.
Il often see the children on the grounds.
and they appear TO be comfortably clad
and well fed; some of them look little
untidy. but that is only natural. ] am
sure these children don't suffer from the
lack of warm clothing. They are very
respectful. too. and taught good man.
ners, taking of their hats to ladies. etc."
WE'RE NOT BELIEVED.
when these charges about the Yates
immortality reached Staunton. how were
they receivedr'
Nobody believed them; everybody
seemed to be astounded. have seen no.
body but some mutes who know anything
about II.
although ] am newspaper man, and
try to learn what Is going on. | never
heard anything OF these charges, and
when they were published recently the
people were greatly surprised. The insti-
tute Is a great resort Tor pTomenacers.
and in summer time many ladies and gen.
tlemen walk there The teachers minsIe
freely with the citizens. many Of them