The copper era and Morenci leader. [volume] (Clifton, Ariz.) 1911-1929, 1914-05-01

Flnoin9S maoe Dy AuOiIOr Cdlld9
han as Result of Moral Conditions
Alleged to Have Existed.
Says Public Testimony Does Not Up
hold Charges and Tells of Trying
Experiences Upon Removal of lnsti-
tuition From Benson to Ft. Grant.
In response to a request from Gov
ernor Hunt for an answer to the
charges. made by Auditor Callaghan
against the State Industrial School,
w. M. Whipple, Superintendent of
that Institution, has submitted to the
State Board of Conrtol, his reply con-
ssisting of approximately forty type
written pages, in which the superin-
-tendent takes up the various charges,
in detail. Dealing with the moral
conditions alleged to have existed at
the institution, the Era takes the fol
loving from the reply of the Superin-
tendent:
Morals.
Of 269 typewritten pages compris-
ing a transcript of the testimony Sc
cured at Mr.. Callaghan's investiga-
ton, no less than 130-oF about one
half of the total record-have to do
with the morals at the State Indus
trial School. Clearly, therefore, this
is subject dear to the Auditors heart,
for which he muse be highly commend
ed, and it would be both impertinent
and misplaced, here or at this time, to
question his qualifications for grasp
ing it scientifically, if not sympatheti-
-cally, and weighing the evidence with
judicial accuracy, even though some
what lacking in the attributes of COM
mon, humane charity.
must, however, express the most
poignant regret that Mr.. ;Ca1laghan
considered it necessary to fill more
than seventy pages of his transcript
fifty per cent of that large portion
having to do with the subject of
morals-with testimony, and much of
doubtful accuracy, regarding the con-
duct Of two eX-matrons, in neither of
whom either the school, the Auditor
or myself can have any possible con-
Germ, since both were long ago dis
charged, and so far as I know are now
engaged in the living of quiet, res
pectable, law-abiding lives in no wise
by attempts to blacken
the character of others. 1t is even
more deplorable that in his report he
.distorts, exaggerates, misinterpretS
and magnifies the evidence as jealous
ly and persistently sought, seemingly
willing to work wreck to the reputa-
tions of defenseless women for the
support his preconceived and prean-
nounced decision of Industrial School
mismanagement.
In the case of the first of these ex-
matrons, whose disconnection with
the school dates over six months back,
Mr.. Callaghan with seeming reluc-
tance admits that 'the evidence is
conclusive only to the extent that she
was indiscreet," and while protesting
that he should be loathe to believe
that her transgressions were of
more serious character, does not
hesitate to so amplify and color his
further comments as to lead inevitable
to the conclusion that the lady's trans
gressions' were of the most serious
character. 1t is not my purpose to
enter upon defense of this ex-matron
whose conduct as I have said, is not
a matter Of concern to this institu-
tuition, but l must in common fair
ness to both her and the school as
sert that Mr.. Callaghan's insinu4tions
are unwarranted by the evidence; and
his deductions, as they affect this
school and the management thereof,
are absolutely inmaterial.
The other ex-matron, who left here,
dismissed by myself, on February 3,
is charged by the Auditor with a de ,
throughout. Observation-Disclosures.
of the demimonde,' and
is thereafter subjected to series of
which for vindicivenesS, in |
crudenesS, unmanlinesS, I |
have never seen equa1ed. Foregtful
of his own criticism that 1 trust too |
much to the honor Of inmates s"-not |
taking into account that 1 know them
all and have a means of estimating /
the respective degrees of their YER l.
acity and reliability, whereas he has /
1one-Mr. Callaghan does not hesitate
TO hear with avidity and accept with
alactricy the testimony of every de-
inquent inmate on the raey subject |.
IF this absent and self-defenseless
1 hold no brief for her. 7
10 not condone her faults or errors, (
or which, Immediately they became ;
ID and untruthful statement to the
contrary notwithstanding, she was
dismissed. But there is no visible
and can be no creditable
motive, for the lurid and sensational
.ccount of her highly colored misdeeds
n which the Auditor at great length Z
ndulges. Over sixty pages of trans ,
.ript are dedicated to the securing of ,
material upon which to lay this seem
ng cornerstone of MI. Callaghan's
.ttack, and there is much, in truth, &
hat is discreditable, but when honest 8
y sifted, analyzed and weighed, it E
axes on a much lighter tone than 6
he scarlet hue suggested to sensitive 6
y moral minds by the Auditors in +
elicate if not boorish language. q
1t is but fair, also, to say that what s
yer of faults and frailties this wo- L
nan had, she welded a strong and s
ood influence over the girls for a G
considerable time, her chief offense /
oming in the latter period of her /
when it became appar- L
Mt to her that she must leave. This v
lew is concurred in by Mrs. Ed /
vards, who teaches the girls school t
nd who was in position to OBJ {