The news & observer., 1901-03-10
THE CHARGES AGAINST IT
They Have Been Only Partially Sus.
tanned by Evidence.
REPOR READ IN BoTAHOusE AND SENATE
The Charges That Were investigated Were
Preferred by Nj. White, a Teacher
of Music in the In
siitntion
stitution.


The special joint committee, appoint
ed TO investigate the condition and
management of Institution for the Deaf,
Dumb and Blind, in this city. yesterday
made its report to the House and Sen
ate. ri h
The rcport, IN full was as follows:
ITO the Senate and blouse of Represen-
tatives:
we the undersigned members of the
special committee appointed under Joint
Resolution No. 456, to make an invests
cation Of the Institution for the Deaf,
Dumb and Blind, beg to submit the fol-
lowing report: Tf.9
Charges filed with the committee by
cne Mr. w A. White, an instructor of
music in said institution (copy of which
accompanies this reporp. were carefully
examined and witnesses were before us
and testimony taken is herewith submit
ted.
We find. that these charges are not
frivolous, nor were they made in a spirit
Of malice, nor do weF believe with any
other endNin view than the welfare and
best interests of the unfortunate blind
children of the State. These charges were
not in every particular sustained but
sufficiently so TO free the same as
whole from any adverse criticism and to
fully justify the action taken, and we feel
like complimentng Mr.. White for having
he courage to do what he has, purely,
as your committee believe, for the well
fare OF the unfortunate classes for whom
the institution is maintained and further
more this evidence has brought out the
fact that MIR. White is entirely competent
and worthy TO fill the position he occu-
pies in this institution.
The fact was brought out by the evil
dence that funds appropriated by the
General Assembly for the specific pur-
pose of maintenance has been used by
the superintendent under the direction
Of the Board Of Directors for permanent
improvements and repairs, mot warrant
cd by the power conferred upon them,
and as your committee believes against
the best interests of the institution; the
scnooi term having been shortened and
pupils in the institution being deprived
OF the benefits intended to be given them
amounts so directed were comparatively
small and the improvements greatly need
ed does not to our minds warrant the
misdirection of the funds. We insist
tfat money appropriated for ma!nten-
ance should be used for that purpose only
ana the Directors should under no cir
cumstances contract any debts for per-
mapent improvements not specifications
provided for by legislative appropriation
I'VE find further that some of the
statements made in the Principals an
nual report to the Governor and the Gen
cral Assembly are, TO say the least, mis-
leading.
so far as your committee was able
10 investigate in the limited time that
could be given to this matter, the class
work and the care of these unfortunate
children is all that could be expected and
we take pleasure in commencing the
same. There is room in the building for
a great many more of the blind children
of the State and the care and instruction
given those already there Should be ex-
tended TO those growing up blind in in
tellect as well as in body. 9As to how
many of them can be cared for here de-
pends upon the amount appropriated by
the GGucFdl ASSeiuUly anu the proper GSt
OF the funds so appropriated.
Respectfully, submitted
~WM. LINDSEY,
ION part of Senate
ROBERT N. PAGE,
r. H. ZACHARY,
&C. j. CARSON,
''On part of House. "
Accompanying the above report was
a copy of the evidence taken by the
committee: also some letters and other
documents filed as exhibits. The follow
ing witnesses were examined: Mr.. w
A. White. teacher of music at the in
stitution; Mr.. c. j. Parker. manager o.