The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-31
A Kind Word for Superintendent Davis

A Kind Word for Superintendent Davis
Editor of The Times:
Sir,-To-day, in looking through a bud
get Of last weeks Times I was very
much surprised to see by Mr.. Davis re-
ply to charges made by Miss Cabiness,
that there had been a complaint made
against him Let me state In the begin
! ming that 1 do not know Mr.. Davis or
his family personally, but as a w c. T.
U. worker I have seen them frequently
In my visits to the almshouse and feel
| that a great injustice has been done
II can only write from past experiences.
as sickness has prevented me from Wis
iting the almshouse this summer, and
I did not even know that training
school had been started
Mr.. Davis, his wife, and all the OIL
Gals Of the almshouse have always, and
at all times. given us. free access to the
building | have seen great pans OF beau
tiful bread carried from the kitchen to
the dining-room, bread that was dt for
king to eat: have also smelt fragrant
cocoa, that would make any ones mouth
water; the whole place is kept spotiess-
ly clean But at what other institution
IN the country would visitors be allowed
except at stated hours. Surely. II there
was anything to be concealed. they would
not be admitted.
But I will give you the testimony Of
an old woman who has been an inmate
for many years. One day last summer
I 'phoned to the almshouse and asked II
she might go out for a drive with ma
and the answer came very promptly:
Certainly: at any time you name. will
tell her to be ready took her that
same afternoon. and not from any feel
ing OF curiosity. but simply because I
thought the poor soul would like to be
listened to. let her talk to her hearts
content She was considered by some of
hs- room mates to be quite cross and
o,:srrelsome so I would not have been
surprised IL she had begun to roast
every one well, especially as she knew
that I was not personally acquainted
With them. She had been at the aims
house for many years. and used to be a
nurse-when she first entered. She then
sroke of the many improvements that
had been made OF late years. and how
kind Mr. Davis had been to them In
MANY ways. She spoke very feelingly
of the services held In the pretty chapel
by young students from some of the sem
inaries and other ministers. but said that
Mr.. Davis always held services. for them
when there was not any minister to do
So 'And he speaks 80 good she said.
HE is true Christian" She certainly
did not speak of her hons as a para
disc on earth. but she knew that 1t was
great deal better than it used to be.
and her firm belief was that If Mr.. Davis
had the means It would be made better
still. When we returned Mr.. Davis was
on the porch. and kindly enquired how
she felt after her drive. It was easy
to see by the expression on her face that
she looked upon him as a true friend. It
was long past their supper time, and
apologized for keeping her out so late.
Re SAID It was all right; that her supper
had been reserved for her; that 1t gave
them untol3 pleasure to go out with
people. and/he hoped for their sakes that
would be able to come often do not
know II the poor old woman Is still alive.
but when last seen she was hale and
hearty. Does rot this unsolicited testi-
roony of an old inmate sr&lk for itself.
Let US beg the city fathers to make
lager appropriation. SO that Mr.. Davis
will In We the means TO carry out the KIND
inclinations Of his heart towards these
q uyIJJTE. sRrRRoN-