The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-09-28
WHY COOK RESIGNED.
Belief Prevails That the
Governor Demanded His
Withdrawal.


Especial to 1.-THE Jersey city News."l
TRENTON. Sept. Is, 1S~99-Managing
Trustee E.. Razeau Cook, who yesterday
sent to Governor VOORHEES, his formal
resignation as a member OF the Board of
Trustees of the State Industrial School
for Girls. gives no reason for his with
drawal. The text Of his resignation Isl
II hereby tender my resignation as a
member Of the Board of Managers of the
State Industrial School for Girls, to take
effect at your pleasure" The pleasure"
referred to in the document will not take
place until the Governor is ready to name
a successor to Mr.. Cook.
Governor Voorhees, said after receiving
Mr.. ook resignation that he would be
ready in a day or two to announce his
appointments of the four men who, with
ex-senator John D. Rue and ex-Assem-
blyman Howell G. Stull already named,
will constitute the new Board of Trustees
Of the Girls School. He has not yet sue
ceeded In finding anyone willing to serve
whom he cares to appoint. Meanwhile
Mr.. Cook. will continue his Stewardship
in the school in the capacity Of managing
trustee. ia
There is much speculation as 10
whether Mr.. Cooks withdrawal was vol
untary on his part or came as the result
Of a direct request from the Governor.
The belief prevails that the Governor
yielded to the public demand for The re-
moval OF Mr.. Cook, and 1t is reported that
he formally demanded his resignation.
Mr.. Cook has so often asserted that ne
would not retire from the management Of
the school that it Is thought his reslgna-
ton must have been forced. unless there
is some understanding by which ne Is to
be made steward of the school,.
1t is now believed from remarks made
by the Governor that he has changed
his views about Mrs. Eyler, and thinks
it would be to the best interests of the
Institution that she should be removed.
II this is really the Governors stand,
there is little doubt that her removal
win be accomplished. but If he still per-
sists in the view that she Mould stay.
he will undoubtedly have sufficient In
fuence with the new board to secure her
retention.
There is a well authenticated report to
the effect that Mrs. Eyler proposes to
prefer charges against Timothy Commit,
the gardener at the school, who gave
such damaging testimony against her at
the Governors investigation. Commit, 1t
is claimed, will be charged with being too
intimate with certain of the girls at the
school. When Connif took the witness
stand at the Investigation he was prom
lsed by the Governor that nc evidence he
might give would in any way prejudice
his position at the school.
Since the investigation Mrs. Eyler has
driven with Commit in the States car
riage but once. although he formerly
drove her about town almost daily.
Mr.. Cook. 1t Is understood, is now
hoping that he may still retain a connec-
ton with the Institution through being
appointed a steward. This would give
him the right to perform almost all Of the
functions that fell to him as managing
trustee.
The expectation is that the new board
will abolish the position Of managing
trustee and create that of steward.