New-York tribune., 1899-07-07
PUBLIC MONEY WASTED


buildings have been purposely made so that the
cost OF construction would largely exceed the
appropriation, with a view OF requiring the
Il gislature to spend more money for the nstl-
tuition than II would originally consent TO do. in
order TO be able to utilize that already expended
The purchase OF supplies has been awarded to
favored dealers, TO the detriment or the state;
more help than necessary has been employed, 30
as 10 provide places for friends OF managers.
and higher wages have been paid TO favored per-
sons than the nature OF the service would tusti-
fy which abuse is demonstrated by the fact that
the pay for the same service differs greatly In
different institutions. All Of these abuses must
have been practsed either with the approval on
the managers or by reason OF their indifference
ignorance as to what was going on. The ef-
feet on the taxpaying public was the same In
either case
But the abuses already alluded 10 mostly az
feet the financial side OF the charitable Institu-
tion question Others however. vastly more
serious and OF a character 10 shock the ssnsl-
hilities OF a Christian public. have recently
been brought to light. In fact. some OF them
remind one Of the methods in vogue in the
treatment OF unfortunate classes in the Middle
Ages
A representative Of the Controllers Depart
ment and from the State Board OF Chari-
ties have been making a tour or the institu-
tions and examining every employe' under oa,n
10 his or her particular duties. Some Of the
disclosures made by this sworn testimony are
OF a startling character
In Of the Institutions II was found that
the bills Of a merchant furnishing supplies 10
the institution were being audited by his own
wife member Of the Board Of Managers
wATCHMEN ARRANGE FOR PLENTY OF
SLEEP
In another case II was discovered that when
the State Controller objected 20 prices as too
high the quantity furnished was reduced. but
the aggregate amount Of the bill was allowed 10
remain az the same figures. In another insutu-
ton. which has also been one OF the LOUD pro-
testants against outside meddling, the evil
dence showed that watchmen who were hired 20
guard against fire and the escape or inmates had
a well arranged plan whereby a part OF the
force slept while another part went about and
rang the signal bells al the appointed hours
Two inmates walked out OF the institution while
the watchmen slumbered on the night of July g.
This is the Hudson House OF Refuge.
In another IL shown by the sworn
testimony that healthy inmates were forced TO
hathe in the same bathtub after persons az.
ficted with the most loathesome diseases had
been hathed therein. without proper cleansing
or disnfectng. thus furnishing excellent facili-
ties for the spread of disease.
This sworn testimony has also brought 70
light the fact that In this civilized country. IN
the last year Of the nineteenth century. that
semi -barbarous method Of punishment, chain
ing victims 70 the floor in solitary confinement
for protracted periods is still being practised in
charitable institutions in the Empire state
Lashing 10 the floor however. is not the worst
cruelty resorted TO- according n the evidence
taken. II Is said by eye-witnesses and partict-
pants that girls confined in houses of refuge are
stripped OF their clothing and sometimes held by
some OF the employees. and at other times
chained 10 the floor and whipped with a heavy
| leather strap several feet long
Recently a young mother with babe only
five months Old treated IN this manner.
Furthermore II we are 10 believe the testimony.
this mode Of punishment is resorted 70 frequent
ly for what appear to be trivial violations OF the
rules.
An honest effort on the part ~ the Controller
and the State Board Of Charities 10 correct the
abuses above described and scores OF kindred
ones is the sole and only occasion for this great
OtIfburSf against "iptprfprenCo' by State off,
cials Whether there is not A crying necessity
for rigid outside supervision of charitable insti-
tutions. in view OF the above facts. leave to an
| impartial public to judge.