The sun., 1899-10-15

In the shape Of one or moro OF Its members,
and this committee, after an investigation
lasting a day or two and conducted with
sublime disregard Of the laws Of evidence
and the ordinary principles OF eliciting
truth by examination. declares the superin-
tendent guilty, and effects, by the action Of
the full Board his removal and that Of the
local board Of managers OF the institution
In question.
Exaggerated as this statement may seem
to those unacquainted with these cases. 1t
will be recognized as true by those familiar
with them. or course, such gross abuses OF
Justice are not lasting. There are usually
upon the local boards OF managers one or
two gentlemen who refuse to rest under
the stigma which has been put upon
them and insist upon a reopening
OF the matter and another inves-
tigation conducted according to legal
rules. The result OF such investigation is
always a reversal Of the action OF the State
Board OF Charities. 1t proved that either
the State Board OF Charities held too lax and
inefficient ideas OF discipline. or that 1t was
imposed upon by testimony manufactured
and suborned by the employees OF sensa-
tional newspapers. The superintendent OF
the institution is reinstated, and the State
foots bill of several thousand dollars for
money wasted in the expenses OF the affair
Such was the story OF the famous attack upon
the House Of Refuge on Randall's Island
in this city years ago, OF the monstrous at
tempt to ruin the Elmira Reformatory, OF
the fabricated charges made against Super
intendent PIERCE OF the Westchester Home
for INDECENT Criminals, OF the assault
upon the management Of the Idiot Asylum
In Syracuse, and OF a score or more OF less
notorious instances OF the laundering and
inefliciency OF this State Board.
Possibly the saddest text for these
| reflections is the anarchy now prevailing at
| the Women's House OF Refuge at Hudson.
| This institution, which has always been
| considered model one OF it's kind was run
entirely by women up to within year
ago. Corporal punishment in a moder-
ate and ordinary form was practised when
necessary. Discipline was maintained.
The institution was a State pride. The
yellow journals began their attacks as
usual magnifyng O simple and ordi-
nary case Of punishment into an exces-
sive and brutal inflicton. The State
Board OF Charities appeared in due
form and enforced the resignation OF the
superintendent and Of the local board Of
managers. Corporal punishment was abol-
ished and new board set to running the
institution upon the principles Of love and
moral suasion. Within the last week riots
have broken out among the inmates Of the
Womens House OF Refuge, most severe and
dangerous Of any such in our States his
tory, which threatened the lives OF the new
superintendent and keepers and were tenn
porarily suppressed only by the appearance
OF deputy sheriff and n large posse Of
Hudson citizens armed with revolvers. The
posse as they made their appearance
were greeted with obscene boots and jeers
and the cry, THE State Board Of Charities
has stopped corporal punishment here.
You don't dare to touch us!
We commend this state Of affairs and the
general situation which has led up to it to
the thoughtful consideration Of the Cover
nor Of New York.