The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-08-02
CRUEL TY
PROVEN.
Bread and Water and
Darkcell Excessively
Used in Trenton
Reform School.
GIRL BRUTALLY BEATEN
Men Tell Of the Share They
Took in Enforcing
Discipline.
CASTOR OIL FOR CUSSlNG
Some Novel Features OF
Mrs. Eyler's Method of
Reforming Girls.
GOVERNOR TAKES TESTIMONY
Details of the Statements
of Officers and Teach
ers at Yesterdays
Hearing.
GOVERNOR TAKES TESTIA

Especial to THE Jersey City News
TRENTON, Aug. 2. 1se9.-Governor
VOORHEES, yesterday began an official in
vestigation of the conditions at the State
Industrial School for Girls. From half
past three o'clock in the afternoon until
seven o'clock last evening the inauisltion
was in full swing and it will be resumed
at ten o'clock this morning Much testi-
mony was adduced that does not reflect
credit. to say the least upon the present
management of the school. The wit
nesses examined were all attaches of the
institution and some startling revela-
tions as to the methods of punishment IN
vogue al the institution were made. BY
the testimony brought out yesterday all
OF the statements concerning the harsh
treatment of the girls at the school were
confirmed In addition, many new meth
DDS of punishment were revealed. The
use of quinine and castor oil in cases
where the girl inmates were too free with
their tongues is one of the methods quite
common at the school and with which
the public is not familiar. From start to
finish the proceedings were very interest
ing almost every witness making some
startling disclosure.
The Governor was in the western part
of New York State on his vacation when
he received word of the very unsatisfac-
tory condition of affairs at the school
He was forced to start for home on Mon
day at noon and he had no sooner landed
at the State House yesterday morning
than he was besieged by members of the
Board Of Trustees of the School. DR..
George c. Maddox, president. and Mr..
p. j. Fitzgibbon succeeded in getting the
Governors ear first. They urged that i'm
mediate action be taken. and requested
that the Governor either take the matter
up personally or select a special com
mission for the purpose. His Excellency
expressed the opinion to them that for
him TO follow either of the suggested
courses would be a reflection on the
Board of Trustees of the institution. In
turn, he urged that the Board make an
investigation and try to get at the root
of the trouble. Dr. Maddox and Mr..
Fitzgibbon advised the Governor that be-
cause of the friction in the Board of Trus-
tees an investigation by the Board was
not likely to bring about the desired re-
suit. Later, Mr.. E. r. Cook. managing
trustee Of the institution, called upon the
Governor and announced that both him
self and Mrs Eyler, the principal, court
ed an investigation. The Governor deeid-
ed to take hold of the matter and an
nouneed that he himself would conduct
the inquiry and that ii would be done in
the presence of the Board Of Trustees.
The suggestion that the Board OF Trus-
fees were to be present did not meet
with favor on the part Of the divided
Board, but the Governor insisted that it
was the duty Of the members to be
present.
The investigating party left the State
House about 2:30 O'Clock in the afternoon
and were at the school shortly before
o'clock The Governor took his stenog-
rapher. Miss Gill, along, and she was de-
signated as the official stenographer for
the investigation. Only three members of
the board of trustees were on hand. They
We're Rev DR.. Maddox and Messrs.
Fftzgibbon and Cook. DIR. Maddox and
AIr. F'itzgibbon engaged Counsellor John
H Bacles to accompany them, but the
Governor refused to allow Mr.. Baekes to
attend. Mr.. Bacxes will appear today as
attorney for Mr.. Fitzgibbon, who cannot
be present
1t was apparent from the very outset
that there was considerable bad feeling
existing among the managers of the in
stftution. Miss Mary Atterbury, one of
the lady managers, preceded the Guber-
material party and when upon their ar
rival Dr. Maddox and Mr. Fitzgibbon,
each in turn. extended his hand to Miss
Atterbury. she politely declined to
shake To Mr.. Fitzgfbbon she remark
ed. in refusing his proffered hand, Not
for the present. Mr.. Fitzgibbon." Then
Miss Atterbury politely invited Governor
Voorhees, to accompany her upstairs,
where MRS. Eyler was in waiting, As they
were leaving the room Miss Atterbury
turned and said, Won't you please come.
too, Mr.. Cook?" The other mensters Of
the board seemed to feel keeniy this pro-
aouneed slight. but said nothing
For more than thfee-auarters Of an
hour the secret conference was in session
upstairs. and II was later learned that
a1rs Eyler called the Governor np to give