The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-08-05
VOORHEES, SCORED
Lawyer Backes Says the
Governor Has Not Done
Himself Credit.
POSED AS INVESTIGATOR.
And Then, Says the Proxy,
He Defended the Institu-
-whiteWash
Expected.
Especial to .The Jersey city News."l


investigation by the Governor and Board
of Trustees of the State Industrial School
for Girls. it Is quite probable that the
management, despite the. many cruelties
with which it is charged, will receive
white washing. If there is to be any
censure at all. it will probably be light.
Tt is said that it is the Governors desire
that the entire Board, of Trustees resign.
If this should happen the Investigation
may be dropped, an ending to which the
Governor, ii is said, would not be at an
averse
There is talk of bringing criminal
charges against Mrs. Eyler for alleged
cruelty TO inmates Of the school if the
investigation should result in a white
washing It is also intimated that Mrs.
Eyler's resignation as principal will be
requested by the trustees. but in no case
will tha Governor request it. as he seems
unalterabiy in favar OF the principal. the
school and the management.
Mrs. Eyier cannot but feel gfatified
that the most serious charges have not
been proved. but a legislative investiga-
ton may be held. which. it is claimed.
would not be relished by SONS. people.
Lewis Parker. the secretary who with
drew from the Board. insists that his
resignation be accepted and it has been.
Rev. DR.. Maddox has gone on a short
vacation, but he will return in few
days, but before he left the city he an
nounced that he would resign. P. J.
Fitzgibbon, who was represented by Law
yer John Backes at the hearing. is report
ed to have sent his resignation to the
Governor, but he viii not deny or affirm
the report e. H. Stokes has also pre-
pared his resignation. leaving only Trus-
tees Cook and Carter to be heard FROM
1t is not known what the lady managers
will do.
These trustees are resigning because of
the general mixed condition of their
Board, but do not desire to have it con-
strued as a retreat under fire Managing
Trustee Cook makes public explanation
why he did not attend the concluding
session of the inquiry. He says he
-salsssHea some months ago to bring his
family back from Point Pleasant on Au-
gust and that Governor Voorhees, ex-
cused him from being present.
There are many reports in circulation
today that action will be begun to have
the condition of the school before some
tribunal that will have power TO take
some action but there seems to be no
law under which they may act. Mrs.
Emily Williamson, Of Elizabeth, who is
secretary of the State Board of Guard
ians, will act with DR.. Maddox and
Trustee Fitzgibbon for the purpose of
getting an investigation that will be con-
Quoted in a judicial way, but many doubt
just where the law is to come from. It
is stated that the only power is the Joint
7 f-1s
There are many criticisms heard here
today over the outcome of the in
vestigation One feature is the refusal of
the Governor to call the employees and
the inmates of the school for examination,
but this is explained that such course
would cause a panic in the school and
destroy the discipline for many days.
Counsellor John H. Backes yesterday
declared that the Governor had not done
himself justice in the inquiry.
ssThe investigation said Mr.. Backes,
turned out to be a farce, because the
Governor, instead Of acting as the judge,
resolved to act as attorney for Mrs. Ey-
Ter. against whom the charges of mis-
management were directed. The Cover
nor's conduct throughout the entire case
was a manifestation of his desire to make
light of the charges, and his public dec
1aration that he had the institution to
defend. I think, was injudicious while he
was posing as an investigator.
when the statement of the two fac
tons Of the employees as to the punish
ments administered at the school were at
such variance, then there was only one
way to clarity the situation, and that was
to call in the inmates who had been the
victims Of the punishments The refusal
of Governor Voorhees, to have these in
mates brought before him to be inter-
rogated is a strong indication that his
Excellency has no desire to go to the
bottom Of this matter His apparent lack
of interest in he disclosures, and his
brushing aside many of the disclosures
as being wearisome. to him, is one of the
strongest evidences. to my mind, that he
intends to take no action to remedy the
troubles existing at the school.
THE charges Of inhuman treatment at
the institution have, ! think. been fully
sustained by the evidence of the male
employees and the lady attendant, who are
not appointees of Mrs. Eyler or the man
agement during Mrs. Eyler's adrninistra-
ton. To my way Of thinking, Governor
tOOfHSeS was inclined 10 make 100 uent
of such serious matter. and it is only
natural that he has aroused considerable
indignation. The institution costs the
State many thousands Of dollars a year,
and has as its object the raising of fall
len girls and the making of them valua-
BILE members Of society. It Is not place
for the confining of hardened criminals in
order that they may not prey upon her
fellowmen, but is intended as a place
where children who have shown an in
clination 10 go wrong may be taught to
do right This cannot be accomplished
by starving the girls and sllattering their
constitutions by imprisonins them In dun
geons and straight Jackets and letters"
When asked what dispositions he would
present in support Of the charges of too
harsh treatmept of the girls. Mr. Backes
said
viii get dispositions from Miss
Frances Day, Miss Amanda Hammel, Mrs
Strong Mrs. Miller and Miss Fairlamb.
ali former employees OF the institution
Isl Of these women were at the. school
rom four to dozen years. and II can
yoven tnat they were successful IN