Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-09-16

L
July, 1885, is apparently about at the
conclusion of his service in that capac-
ity. At least such must appear to be
the fact as Q result of the Iecommen-
tation to the board of control MADE py
l1oy. Scofield. 1t will be recalled thdC
MAY 25th last the board OF control re-
.eiyed from the executive office petl-
ton signed by divers citizens OF the
state and addressed to the governor,
stating that "the present management
of the industrial school is being sub
jected to a great deal of criticism, ana
requesting the governor to direct an
investigation into the management OF
the institution. Such criticisms were
that "the superintendent, j. G. Hart,
has been charged: First, With the IN
trodL ction and use of cruel and inhu-
man punishments; second, that he is
man of quick temper and lnflcts pun
ishment upon pupils in said school
when he is angry; third, that he uses
il toxicating liquors to excess; fourth,
that in his conversation with the pu-
pills and others he is profane and Vul-
gar in his language" With such pc
tItion the bOarG also received the gov
elnors direction to take UP the mat
ter at the earliest possible moment
and make a thorough investigation.
The board thereupOn, appointed June
14th last as the time, and the indus
trial school for boys as the place for
such investigation, and at the appoint
ed time and place the board assembled
and proceeded herewith. Lynn 5.
Pease and e. w. Chain appeared as
attorneys for the petitioners, and were
recognized by the board as attorneys
for the state as well, charged with the
duty OF conducting the prosecution OF
such charges on behalf of the state. Mr..
Hart also appeared by his attorneys,
NesSrs. Ryan, Merton and Tullar.
Three days were occupied in receiving
the testimony offered on behalf of the
petitioners and the state, and recess
taken till June %. Then the GXhauS-
tive and impartial investigation was
concluded and a few days ago the
board rendered full report to the gov
crnOr. 1t found that Mr.. Hart had at
times punished somewhat too severe
ly; that he used horsewhip, of which
the board disapproved; that he had
Slapped at least one BOY in the face
that he inflicted punishment at times
when in an excited state; that he sub
jectcd boys to the barrel" punish
ment, Of which the board expresses
diaapproVal because it exposed those
Il >
essary humiliation by making a pub
lie exhibition Of them in a grotesque
condition and exposing them TO the
Jeers and insults Of the spectators" and
that there is no satisfactory proof to
overcome Mr.. Harris denial of the
charge that he ever used vulgar or pro-
lane language at the school in pres
eIse of the inmates. The board
also completely acquitted Mr.. Hart of
the charge of drunkenness. In con-
Guiding its report to the governor the
board said:
This concludes the findings and
conclusions of the board on the spe-
citc questions of fact raised by the tes-
timony. The findings and conclusions
cover much ground and indicate to
some extent at least, the condition of
The school its necessities it's manage
ment, and the methods and principles
upon which it should be conducted.
The board makes no recommendations
or suggestions along these lines fur
Their than is cantained in the forego-
ing report. 1t is, however, the opinion
OF the board that the statute under
which this investigation has been
made, fairly construed contemplates
that the governor CATER receiving the
report) will give the board the benefit
OF his consIderate judgment and ad-
vice in respect to the management of
the Investigated institution"
Governors Reply.
Yesterday the governor transmitted
a reply to the board. 1t is as follows:
Honorable James E. Heg, president
state board of control, Madison, Wis
consin-Sir:-I have the honor to ac-
knowledge the receipt from your board
under date of Sept 10, of a copy of
the record together with the findings
of the board upon the record, of an
investigation into the management of
the industrial school for boys at Wau-
kesha made by the board, as direct
ed by me on May 25 of this present
year, in response to an accredited re-
quest for such investigation. [ have
carefully read the findings and conclu-
sions of the board in the matter, and
desire, first of all, to express my appre-
citation of the conscientious work OF
the board and the judicial spirit which
pervades it. l would express my pleas
ure also that some of the most serious
charges made against the management
of the school failed utterly of evidence
TO support them. The board has so
carefully distinguished between the
Importance of the charges growing
out of personal animosities and those
which were prompted by an unselfish
interest in the welfare of the inmates
of the school, that there is nothing
left to be done in that direction.
am sure that the people of the state
generally, whose interest in the well
fare of the schools is one with yours
and mine, will give their approval to
the conscientious methods employed
by you in sitting the charges made.
[ cannot but believe, however, that
your findings plainly show that the
methods of punishment employed in
the school and what is of vastly moro