The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-15
DID SMUGGLE In LIQUOR.
Only One of Lafayette Soldiers Home
Charges Sustained.

The State Board of Charities filed it's re-
port of the investigation of the State Sol
diers Home at Lafayette with the Govern
or yesterday morning. The conclusion of
the board is that but one of the ten largely
anonymous charges against the conduct of
the institution be sustained. This was the
charge that certain employees of the home
smuggled quantities of intoxicating liquor
into the grounds and there consumed it,
The board suggests that the rule of the
home providing for the discharge of en-
ployes guilty of such an act be rigidly en-
forced. The boards report finds that the
commandant uses no intoxicating liquors
and that the discipline is not unduly severe,
that the home is in clean and sanitary
condition, and that such dishonorable dis
charges as were made were for cause, that
none of the employees are interested in con-
tracts, and that the food is good and well
served.
In regard to the use of intoxicating
liquors on the grounds by the officers and
employees of the home the report says:
"A large majority of the witnesses be-
fore the committee were examined upon
this specification. The testimony was Of a
character to satisfy the committee that the
commandment Col. j. p. Megrew, is a man
OF abstemtous habits and is not addicted to
the evidence proved that certain of the en-
ployes of the home have at various times
used intoxicants upon the institution
premises, probably in certain instances to
such an extent as TO cause drunkenness. In
prominent places about the home are posted
rules for the government OF inmates and
employees. Rule prohibits the use of in
toxicantS about the grounds or buildings or
the bringing of intoxicating liquors upon
the premises. But one punishment is pro-
vided for a violation of this rule and that
is that he shall be discharged from his posi-
ton. The evidence showed that certain en-
ployes guilty of violating this rule are still
in the service of the home. The committee
believes that the best possible results in
preventing the use of intoxicants by in
mates of the home cannot be obtained if
employees are permitted to violate the rule
the penalty provided. Every employee of
the home is by virtue of his position an
agent of the State for the proper conduct
and discipline of the institution. If he fails
in his duty what shall be expected of the
inmates upon whom no such responsibility
reStS?'
Continuing, the report says: evidence
showed that at least one officer of the
home is acoustic .ied to rather careless use
OF profanity While it was not shown that
such use extends TO the cursing or abuse
of inmates, the committee believes that in
familiar intercourse with them the use of
profanity is not infrequent. Rule of the
posted rules, referred to in Paragraph 3,
forbidS profanity by inmates or employees"
The board is of the opinion that the dis
cipline of the home is neither hard nor UNI
kind and is no more than necessary to keep
the inmates in control The board MAIN
tains that the means necessary for the oh
servance of the rules of the home are not
severe enough and that the inmates are not
kept within bounds as much as they ought
to be. The report also touches on the ulies-
ton of honorable and dishonorable dis
charges and finds that the officers of the
nome nave not IN any way abused the
privilege of discharging the old soldiers
from the home.