New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-02
NEW JERSEY NEWS.
BASIS FOR THE SCANDALS.
A GRAVE CONDITION AT THE STATE IN
DUsTRIAL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

Trenton, Aug (SpecsD.-C5overnor voorhees, in
company with several members OF the Board OF
Trustees Of the State Industrial School for
girls to-day began formal investigation OF the
scandals recently made public at that Institution.
In the party which went TO the school this after
noon. besides the Governor we're the Rev DR.
George {. Maddox President P. J. FitzGibbon
and z. r. Cook, OF the trustees. The examination
OF number OF witnesses disclosed the fact that
the published reports founded on facts al
though they may have been exaggerated. At the
end OF the hearing which lasted until evening
the Governor said he so impressed with the
gravity Of the situation that he would hear further
testimony to-day
When the Governor arrived at the school he
was met by the matron Mrs Eyler and Miss
Mary Atterbury, Of the Board OF Lady Managers.
In company with Managing Trustee Cook, he
asked TO go upstairs for conference Mrs. Eyler
then began to tell her side OF the story. which
was interrupted by the Governor remarking that
representatives OF the press were waiting below,
and that he proposed 10 have the investigation as
public as the scandals had been.
Inc investigation was then begun by calling as
a witness tiottlieb kohler. fireman at the school
matron 10 hold girls while she slapped them.
lie allied the case OF cologed girl. whom he
until the girl bled AZ the nose The sight witness
said was so revolving ne could not look at it, and
Kohler and Timothy COUNT a coachman were
called IN on May 70 hold girl while she was
the two men held her. The girls dress was raised
and severe thrashng administered. The
Witness when asked expressed the opinion that
the girls are too severely punished. He had never
Mrs Eyer. except IN one instance. In the case OF
COUNT testified that there was rebellion in the
school May g. In which Elsie Fields, Of Cam
straitjacket and stackles and otherwise harshly
Another girl, named Teresa. was set on chair
and held By himself and Kohlar. Mrs. Evier seized
the girl By the hair and twisted IT, pulling the
her IA until her screams could be heard ali over
the place The girl. he said. had simply refused 70
answer question Of Mrs Eyler, but had not been
The men were constantly called upon 10 put the
girls in the dungeon. The witness told ~ several
other Instances OF similar treatment at the school
Mr. Fitzgbbons asked II shackles had always
been used Managing Trustee Cook said that they
Mr. Fitzgtbbons said he had found by the records
from harness maker and Mr.. Cook expressed
surprise but made no further reply.
Martha Wright a teacher. told the Governor
that since the coming OF Mrs Eyler things had
been unpleasant for the teachers NJ the schooi.
she only knew things that she saw. and that she
could not testify concerning ANYTHING else. ~.
Margaret HarbOUrt, another teacher, tolu o., tns
running away OF three girls on Memorial pay
1895 They were caught and kept in close sohtar 0
three weeks they were fed on bread and water
and had no blankets pillows or bedding on me5
and then the cups were Immediately iahen @"S3
so that they were often thirsty during the not
summer DAYS. - .
Miss Wright also said II was not customary 20
put the girls in dungeons before the coming OF
Mrs Fvler although the attic on rare occa-
siOns used for that purpose.
Miss Harbourt also told OF the case OF h4atle
Rsrow who Is now m in the city hospital For
a trivial offence the sickly little girl was MADE 70
walk I'D and down a forty foo, night OF stars
,uantv-Ave times and then put IN the
dungeon for tweuty-fOur hours.
One OF the punshments at me school, me VII VII
moss said was 20 give the girls castor oil, ana
then 10 wash out their mouths with quinine .
Corroboratve testimony was given by otner VIZ
the tales OF unnecessary cruelty.