New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-27
AGAINST MRS. EYLER
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE REPORTS an
yERsELY TO MATRON AND TRUSTEES
OF STATE HOME FOR GIRLS

Trenton. June 26 (SpectaD.-The special CIR,
rnittee Of the House of Assembly 10 inves+f...-
the State Home for Girls and its managems,,
after several months delay in deciding on ~.
nature On the report il should submit siv,-s
the document tins afternoon and handed n :
Governor Voorhees, In the report the com.
mttee says:
Since 1897 charges Of excessive cruelty. unn...
sary severity in the methods and manner az ~
fifcting punishments Partially. lack Of proper ' "a
of the Inmates a great desire 10 discipline rr
and punish. rather than an honest effort 10 reform
have been repeatedly made oy the press and IA.
dividuals, and in most cases aimed directly az -
principal Mrs; Myrtle b. Eyer and her husband
the present CLERK clarence . EYER. The priu-
cipal and her friends have denied these chsrgs,
ers no longer connected with the school and Ss
were not in sympathy with the principal claiming
TRUSTEES SEVERELY ARRAIGNED.
The report here refers 10 the investigations
made by the old as well the present Board
of Trustees, and says:
This committee believes that had either OF thes.
Boards of Trustees acted with a sufficient degras
OF force and authority the troubles the Hora
would have been avoided in a great measure h
Inony between most OF the teachers ana the prin-
cipal of the institution, but did not seem able 10
grasp the situation fully, which is illustrated by
resolution which was passed by the first OF the
Boards mentioned, 70 the effect tnat any one max
ing a complaint 70 them would be severely dealt
with During the last two years lleXDerlelced
sons nave oesn engaged as permanent oHlcers and
teachers, without any examination having been
responsible charge; escapes have become mors
frequent. punishments have increased in a pr0Dor-
general feeling Of suspicion and lack OF confidence
in the management Of the Home exists. The pres
ent Board of Trustees is practically nulIfying and
rendering ineffective the humane measures whicb
met the unanimous approval OF both brancbes ~
the Legislature and the Governor and which aIIoT
the inmates TO be paroled under certain conditions
by not informing the inmates Of the passage Of
this law or Of its provisions. This action on their
part Is IN our opinion, ample proof that they
do not understand the temper and wishes OF the
people and the legislature. or that they inten-
those for whom they are merely trustees or agents
MATRON'S USEFULNESS MAY BE GONE.
In regard to the charges of cruelty and incom-
potency made against the principal clerk and man
Seil-ei, e e ICSI4ce y COh!lcts direct cnarges
are mace ana Hally ana positively denied; but SUI
hcient evidence was given which was not denied
and enough was admitted by the principal 10 con
NILCe .He COMMITTEES thal many OF the charges Of
severity and unnecessary punishment were sub
been inflicted upon the inmates The girls have
been whipped with straps their faces have been
slapped while their hands held by male
subOrdinates anklets and jackets have been used
for restraint; bread and water diet has been en-
forced; girls have been subjected TO TAI nor VTbSr
food during the first half of the day and solitary
confinement in boarded rooms or in brick cells has
been resorted to These punishmenJs il is claimed
were imposed for the use Of profane and obscene
language and other violations OF the rules o. the
While these and other seeming crueIties Of more
or less harsnness may be necessary and in vogue
in similar Institutions. and while the causes for
testimony before US. still regard the present
principal most unfortunate and believe that her
usefulness TO the State has been greatly lessened,
If not wholly destroyed and We do not see that
her continuance in the position is Of paramount
importance, or why the people OF the State should
be kept in constant turmoil by her retention in
this particular positions and while We believe those
many creditable witnesses who testified her
capabilities and good business still
cannot ignore the testimony of those who saw
her in closer touch with the inmates and disCOv-
cred that lack Of tact which seems essential for
correction without recourse to corporal punish
ment.
The State Home for Girls is supported out OF
the public funds and should be conducted 70
merit the moral support and helpful sympathy and
approval of the entire State, and the inmates
mitted the of the State should only
receive kind and COnsiderate care and De sur
rounded by the best influences, but that they
so treated and surrounded should De apparent 10
all the people. and without any suspicion reser-
Walton That this is impossible under the present
management fully convinced
This report will be submitted by Governor
Voorhees, to the Legislature, but not without
comment. He is. II is said, Of the opinion that
Mrs. Eyler has inflicted only such puuishments
S the inmates of the home have deserved, and
that her administration OF the institution has
been excellent.