New-York tribune., 1900-12-15
REPORT ON THE BATH HONE.
INVESTIGATORS DECLARE CONINIAN-
DANT SHEPARD WAS REMOVED
UNJUSTLY.

Albany Dec. 14-The State Board of Charities
has transmitted to Governor Roosevelt the report
of the investigation by the Boards Committee on
Soldiers and Sailors Homes into the management
of the New-York State Soldiers and Sailors Home
at Bath, by the former Board of Trustees and the
commandant of the Home. made at the request Of
Governor Roosevelt. The report was accepted and
adopted by the Board at its meeting OF November
Is. 1900. The committee finds that the charges
against the commandant were not proven. and says:
The final conclusion of the committee. in the
light OF all the testimony that has been given and
is that the interests of the Home would have been
promoted by the retention OF Mr.. Shepard in the
duties well as he did in such a hostile atmo-
sphere as existed by reason Of the unfriendy feel,
ing toward him of his immediate subordinates and
Of the two trustees who because of their residence
the Home n ts the onigy,o1 ~ 1b ~ tbst
had he had the assistance Of persons in sympathy
with him there would have been little to be desired
In MS management Of the institution A careful
consideration OF the whole record of this nvestga
ton has satisfied the committee that had Mr.:
those who sought TO use the Home 10 their own
advantage no charge would have been presented
against him 1t is felt therefore that his courage
Gus performance OF the duty assigned to him can
not be too highly commended.
The committee further finds that the trustees
permitted the pension fund of the members Of the
Home. amounting to S125,O0 annually TO be dis
bursed without personal supervision or security
Also that the post exchange fund. made up from
the sales Of the canteen. had been misappied. The
law with relation to this fund provides that the
proceeds shall be used for the support the library
and reading room of the Home. and for the COM
fort and amusement of the members 1t was
shown that the proceeds Of this fund had fire.
quently been used for the purchase of LIQUOR in
Guiding champagne and cigars. for the of the
trustees and their friends Other unlawful pay
ments were frequently made from the fund, and
the committee says: In short. it was the practice
thus TO pay for items that II was believed would
not be approved of by the Controller"
money left by members dying intestate. to whose
relatives there is record at the Home. In the
fall of 1895 the fund amounted to upward OF $4,000.
representing the accumulation Of years. and 1t ap-
pears that the trustees, for the most part were
not even aware that this fund was In the Board $
charge 1t was, on the date mentioned, at the in
stance of Frank Campbell treasurer OF the Home
transferred to the County Treasurer as ex oficio
Public Administrator for the county Of Steuben
and within short time was deprecated by ex-
penses to the amount of $1,000. while but one
estate amounting TO S154 had been transferred to
the heirs 1t further appears that almost all OF
the 81 900 paid for services rendered by law
YER who also a partner OF Mr.. Campbell in
the banking business.
The committee finds that the same lack OF at
tenton the part of the trustees that was shown
to other important features OF management ex-
listed as to the care of the finances. No interest
was paid on the moneys and the bond given by the
treasurer inadequate. Also that the require
ments OF the bylaws that a report should be made
by the treasurer at each meeting complied
with. OF the management OF the finances OF the
home, the committee says:
1t is not likely that the trustees would be willing
to have their own finances conducted In the man
ner above described, and the elementary rule in
regard to duties of iduciary relation TO the ef-
feet that the trustees shall guard the property
conided to them with at least much care as they
would their own, seems to have been lost sight OF
almost entirely.
Since the closing OF testimony in the investga-
tion the Governor has appointed new trustees In
place of those who were members OF the Board at
the time the inquiry instituted. with the ex-
cepton OF one trustee. whose period OF service
had not terminated In expressing the opinion that
Mr.. Shepard was unjustly removed from the Of
nee OF commandant the committee says:
II is not intended TO convey the idea that the
present incumbent OF that office is in any way less
competent, or that the interests of the Home have
suffered by reason OF his selection. On the con-
trary, from the information this committee has
received from time 10 time since Mr.. DavidsOn's
appointment. they have every reason to believe
that the welfare OF the Home will be ably and
zealously guarded by him.