The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-08-14
FITzClBB()N OUT.
Three Industrial School
Trustees Have Now
Resigned.
VOORHEES, ABLY DEFENDED
Senator Stokes Declares That
the Governor May Be
Depended Upon.
especial to srhe Jersey city News."l

Especial to 'fIHe Jersey k1Ny NEWS
TRENTON, Aug. A. lS9s.-The fact tnat
p. j. Fitzgibbon has rendered to Cover
nor VOORHEES, his resignation as a mem-
her of the Board of Trustees of the State
Industrial School for Girls, which was
made public yesterday afternoon mas
brought to light a most interesting state
OF affairs. No reason is assigned by MI.
Fitzgfbbon for his withdrawal at TINS
time. and when seen last evening he said
that he was not yet ready to discuss tne
situation
His retirement, however. 1t is UNDER
stood, will leave Lawyer John II.
Backes without any standing in the case
as the latter was recognized by the Gov
ernor solely as Mr.. Fitzgibbon's personal
representative The suggestion was made
to Ills Exceliency on last Friday that
Mr. Fifzgibbon might resign, and the
Executive then remarked that such a
proceeding would put an end to the cour-
sellor's standing in the case. Whether
the dispositions which Mr. Backes has ar
ranged to take will, under the circum-
stances be accepted, Of course remains TO
be seen. bur there can be no excuse for
nos considering the affidayits of Miss Day
and Miss Miller.
,Th- counselor may insist upon conciud-
irg t;,e work wnien he has said the Cow
erntr acknowledged that he had right
II ID ana further complications may yet
be ss9ugit about through these contra
wise contsnt;ol.s.
Mr. Fitzgib5on is the third trustee to
hand in his resignation, and the belief is
that Dr. Mattock's will be received ere
the Governor reaches town tomorrow. Mr.
Carter's recent message to His Excellen-
cy to the affect that his vote might be
used in any way and that his resignation
was in waiting shows plainly that all the
members are seeing things clearer and
that they will in the end step down and
out. The three designations come from
aEesgSs. Parker. Stokes and Fitzgibbon,
and this leaves on the Board only Messrs.
Cock and Carter and Dr. Mattock. This
is not a quorum, and as consequence
sorae action towards filing the vacancies
must soon be made by the administra-
ter. As ii is the business of the institu-
fienscaanot be transacted. and at present
the affairs are at standstill.
Friends of Governor VOORHEES, feel that
he has been subject to unfair criticism
On account Of his position on the Tndus-
trial School question. They feel that the
Governors stand has been misconstrued
Senator Edwards C. Stokes. of Cumber-
hand county, who is a close friend of the
Governor. was interviewed on Saturday
and said
'1one would judge from reading the
newspaper comments, . said the Cumber-
land Senator, that the Governor had
authority TO remove the officials of the
Industrial School at will. when in fact.
that power is vested in the Board of
Managers. The Governors authority over
the employees of the States institutions
is no more than that of any private
citizen, except in SO far as his office
gives him influence with the various
boards of managers. The institutions
are governed directly by these boards of
managers and they are necessarily re-
sponsible for the actions Of those whom
tney employ. Otherwise, the managers
would be useless officials
THE Governor has as vet made no
decision, even in his own mind. as to
the exact course that should be pursued
IN view of the recent disclosures. nor
has he, as is supposed by some, stopped
the investigation. He found that if he
undertook to hear all the testimony
orally, he might sit for the next three.
hear all who had grievance to express.
He concluded. therefore, to change the
form Of the investigation from those of
oral to written testimony. Any charges.
therefore, against the management of
the institution in question: the Cover
nor will receive in the form of affidavits,
and this evidence viii be impartially
weighed. These affidavits are now being
prepared by different parties and as
soon as they have been submitted to the
Governor and he has acquainted him
self with their contents, he will take
such action as the good name of the
State and the interests of humanity de-
mand.
tThose who know Governor voorhees,
viii be entirely satisfied to trust to his
sense of fairness and right. There will
be no leniency, favoritism or partiality
shown by the Governor to any official
who has proven derelfct in his or her
duty.
THE public should remember. however,
that any misunderstanding or abuses that
exist in the Industrial School can be cor
rected only through the medium Of the
Board Of Managers. They must assume
ful responsibility for the conduct Of Mrs.
EYER and the other employees Of the
school, or If they are unwilling to do this
they must necessarily give way to sue
ceSsors The Governor of the State does
not appoint the principal Of the Indus
trial School She is appointed by the
managers. and holds office at their pleas
ure- II the Governor wants to remove
her he could not do so by any official act
Of his own, nor could he prevent her re-
moval If the Board Of Managers saw I'll