The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1911-11-24
WHITTIER CLEARED
BOARD OF CONTROL VOTES Elk.
oNERATIoN OF TRAINING
SCHOOL HEAD.
GOVERNOR is DISAPPOINTED
Republican Member Agrees With Ma
jority-They Admit Use of Whip.
ping Machines and Hose
FIoggings.

st. Paul, Minn.-Frank A. Whit
tier, superintendent of the state train.
ing school for boys at Red Wing, was
exonerated in the report of the board
of control. After it had presented its
report the board announced that it
had received the resignation of Mr..
Whittier. The resignation was dated
Nov. 16.
c. ]. Swendsen, Governor Eberhart's
appointee on the board, agreed with
his Democratic colleagues, Chairman
Dingdal and C. E. Vasaly, to the ex-
tent the board could not lawfully re-
move Mr.. Whittier, but he dissented
from many of the reasons advanced
by the board in support of retention
of the superintendent.
His authority for this stand, ne said,
was the opinion of the attorney gen.
eral. He also agreed with the major
ity that the superintendent had the
right to exercise wide discretion in
disciplinary methods; that no perma-
nent injury was shown to have re-
suited from any of the punishments
authorized and that no malice was
shown in administering punishment
The report is a document of IS
pages, divided into two parts. One
part is signed by the Democratic ma
jority and the other by Mr.. Swendsen.
Governor Eberhart refused to COM
ment on the findings. He refused to
suggest what the next step in the con-
troversy might be. 1t was clear that
the action taken by Mr.. Swendsen
was keen disappointment.
The action of the board puts the
matter straight up to Governor Eber-
hart. The governor has promised to
straighten conditions at Red Wing.
The reported resignation of Superin-
tendent Whittier and the fact that the
members of the board are practically
unanimous may indicate that compro-
mise arrangement has been reached,
which will mean that the governor
will refuse to act and the superintend-
ent's resignation will close the matter.
Taking up the testimony of the va
rious witnesses in detail who had
charged excessive punishment the ma
jority members took as the basis for
the generation their belief that most
of the whippings were proper and
that a tendency to exaggerate had
characterized the testimony offered.
The vicious character of some of the
witnesses and the necessity for severe
punishment also was asserted.
Spanking Machine Admitted.
Speaking of the spanking machine
which was first brought to the atten-
ton of the public by former Senator
Andrew Stephens, of Crookston, the
board admitted there was such a ma
chine and said it was built under the
direction of the board of control about
1909 and that it was used until July
5, 1905, when it was destroyed by fire.
The further admission was made
that with the knowledge and consent
of the board, Mr.. Whittier also author
lied the use Of the paddle, also that
wet towel was applied to the naked
body to prevent abrasions of the skin
under the beatings which the boys re-
ceived.
The use of piece of rubber hose
to whip girls in the girls department
was admitted. But the board said
that no cruel, inhuman or excessive
punishment was administered.
Thanks Are Exchanged.
In his letter of resignation Mr.. VI hit
tier said:
SHaving received notice that have
been exonerated of the charges that
were filed against me in May last,
hereby tender my resignation as SUI
perintendent, such resignation to take
effect at your pleasure and conve-
nience. I wish at this time to thank
you for the constant support given me
in the performance of my duties"
In it's acceptance of the resignation
the board complimented Mr.. Whittier
on his work.
Chairman Ringdal said the board
would exercise much care in the selec-
ton of Mr.. Whittier's successor and
that similar institutions in other
states would be visited with the view
of securing ideas and suggestions
looking to the betterment of the
school at Red Wing. While on this
tour the board will try to find super
intendent.