WAUPACA POST

June 28, 1894

 

THE CHARGES SUSTAINED

 

The Investigating Committee Reports the Home in a Bad Case

 

The Report Recommends the Removal of Nearly All the Officers

 

The Trustees Are Severely Criticized for Their Acts.

 

[From Friday’s Sentinel.]

            The special committee appointed by Col. J.A. Watrous, department commander, under the direction of the Wisconsin department of the Grand Army, to investigate the condition of the State Veterans’ Home at Waupaca, has completed its report, which is printed below.  The committee consisted of E.D. Coe of Whitewater, State Senator P.J. Clawson of Monroe, and John Meehan of Darlington.  They made a very thorough examination of the Home and its management in all its phases, and the report which is printed below, is exhaustive.  In general it may be said that the committee finds nearly all the current charges against the Home management sustained. It recommends a radical and immediate change in the business methods of the Home, and, furthermore, as complete and far-reaching a change in the direct management of the Home, “if any considerable part of the good work it was designed to accomplish is to be carried out.”  The committee seriously doubts if the present superintendent and matron can accomplish the reformatory work so absolutely essential.  It severely condemns the lax methods of the trustees, and especially those trustees from whom supplies for the Home were bought, and to whom there came profit if not honor.  Some of the employees are singled out for especial condemnation, and the employment of so many members of the Caldwell family is regarded as ill-advised.  The committee finds that while Capt. Caldwell was superintendent the board had conferred all authority for control and direction within all the buildings on Mrs. Caldwell, the matron, which in the opinion of the committee, has been the cause of much of the dissatisfaction and trouble.  While Superintendent Caldwell’s humane intentions are recognized, he is found to lack the qualifications essential to the management of a large institution, and Mrs. Caldwell is found lacking in that sympathetic nature so necessary to give the old soldiers and their wives such a home and such treatment as was sought by the founders of this institution.  This, the committee says, “is no place for the ideas and methods of the martinet.”  The removal of the assistant matron, Mrs. Richardson, is also urged.  In fact, while seeing much evidence of intelligent effort in establishing and conducting the home, the committee finds there is a good reason for many of the most serious criticisms made against the Home.

THE COMMITTEE’S REPORT.

The committee went to Waupaca on May 12^th and remained there until May 21^st, diligently informing themselves as to the exact condition of the Home, its sanitary provisions, business methods and the relations of the inmates and officials.  In the committee’s judgment “the capacity of the Home is equal to any probable demand in the future.  They found about 300 inmates at the institution nearly the full number that it can suitably accommodate.  It is also given as the judgment of the officials that the capacity of the Home is now equal to any probable demand.  There are forty single and four double cottages upon the grounds, with a capacity for forty-eight married couples; the Old People’s building, for married people who are unable to go to the general dining hall for meals, with a capacity for about thirty couples; three buildings for the occupancy of unmarried men, namely, Marden Hall, Assembly Hall and Old Men’s Building, with a capacity for about seventy, thirty and forty each, respectively; a Widow’s hall, consisting of the second story over the general dining hall, with a capacity for twenty unmarried women; and a hospital with two wards, capacity forty-five.  There is a large residence building for the use of the superintendent and family, which is also the official headquarters for the Board of Trustees; also a building occupied by the adjutant as his home and office, one apartment being set apart as a store where clothing and other supplies are issued or sold to inmates.  Besides these there is a small building used as a post office, a well furnished chapel with sittings for about 200, a large dining hall, with cook rooms adjacent, a steam laundry and refrigerator, an electric light plant, a water works plant, a lock-up and other needful structures.  The buildings, in our judgment, were wisely planned and located for their respective purposes.  In the main they are substantially constructed; an obvious exception to this, however, is the Old People’s building, a large edifice costing about $12,000, which shows serious faults in several respects.  The Home occupies a fine healthful site on the shore of a small but beautiful lake, one of the famous chain o’ lakes, and in its location and surroundings fully justifies the great and general praise which has been bestowed upon it.”

GRAVE REASONS FOR CRITICISM

            To make its investigation thorough, the committee examined a large number of the officials, inmates and outside citizens, besides inspecting the buildings and cottages.  They took meals with the inmates and spent several nights at the Home.  And it gives them pleasure to testify that they found unmistakable evidence that very much of earnest, intelligent and unselfish labor has been performed in establishing and conducting the Home; and that at the present time many of the inmates, considerably exceeding the majority profess more or less satisfaction with the condition of affairs and would prefer to have it remain undisturbed rather than to take the chances of a change of administration.  “On the other hand” the committee continues “there is a large and very positive element of dissatisfaction among the inmates, much of it reaching a degree of bitterness which wholly destroys the happiness of those cherishing it and extends its disturbing influences throughout the entire Home.  The claim that this lamentable condition is wholly or in the greater part due to the querulous, factious and faultfinding nature of those making the complaints, cannot be maintained.  Doubtless many of the inmates, though the infirmities of age, the effects of ill health, and the unreasonableness of peevish and irascible dispositions, are unjustifiably censorious; yet, after giving this probability due consideration, and after eliminating many charges which seemed to us frivolous and absurd, and even after casting aside sworn testimony which we believed to be unworthy of credence because of seeming mental unsoundness or other incapacity on the part of the witness, your committee has become fully convinced that there is a grave reason for many of the most serious criticisms made against the management of the Home.  And with profound regret we are compelled to declare that it has not attained that high realization of a happy domestic asylum, where the needy veteran and his wife or widow might pass their declining years in serenity and without care, which was the conception of its projectors and which was not beyond the possibility of accomplishment.

            “It appears to us that the blame for this unsatisfactory condition is widely distributed and cannot properly be placed upon any one individual or upon any one department of the institution.  And it has been our earnest effort to discover and point out where it belongs, hoping that thereby the proper remedy might be suggested and the Home be made to more fully perform during the few possible years remaining the noble and patriotic service which it has already in so considerable a degree accomplished.”

            The committee goes on to explain why it was decided to hold open sessions, and adds that no effort at concealment was attempted with one unimportant exception.  Gov. Peck, Commander Watrous and the trustees assuring each witness that no harm would come to him on account of any testimony he might give.  Miss Laura Powers was employed to take stenographic report of all testimony, which is submitted with the committee’s report.  The committee continues:

SERIOUS ERRORS OF THE TRUSTEES

            “In summing up the results of our investigation your committee would state that in our judgment serious errors were committed on the part of the Board of Trustees in inaugurating and continuing the system of government adopted for the Home and in its administration.  These have shown themselves in a two-fold manner, first, in the conduct of the business affairs of the institution and, second, in that more vital particular the provision of ways and means which should best promote the welfare and happiness of the people who might become the beneficiaries of the splendid bounty and care which the State of Wisconsin and their comrades of the Grand Army had tendered them.  In this charge we do not wish to imply that the Board of Trustees lacked the high purpose or the earnest desire to execute the noble trust imposed upon them in the best manner possible, or in full accordance with its true spirit.  Far otherwise.  But they labored under the disadvantage of having few precedents to guide them in their work, they were largely compelled to find their way.  The beginnings of the institution were small and the necessity of establishing an exact and complete system of keeping accounts and records was not apparent.  From this neglect has grown up the serious laxness which invokes censure and suspicion when the methods in which the most important business and governmental affairs of the Home are now conducted, are brought to notice.  At first the Home was without resources and supplies were generously furnished by the Board of Trustees, looking for reimbursement to a perhaps uncertain future.  From this patriotic and worthy action followed the plan of continuing the unlawful purchase of supplies from members of the board, when there was a profit if not honor in the transactions.  The trustees have been mostly businessmen whose own affairs imposed exacting demands upon their time and energies.  Only a few of them have ever been able to give close personal attention to the great and increasing interests of the Home.  Consequently methods which might be erroneous, or in any event not the best, were easily perpetuated.  The comrades of the Grand Army were enthusiastic over the institution and ready, even eager, to believe that it was all they hoped it to be.  The glowing accounts of its splendid accomplishments were received at every annual encampment with delight and unqualified acceptance; and anything like adverse criticism was frowned down.  Thus much by way of explaining some of the processes by which the recent crisis was reached, and of showing how that he grand army of the state itself is not blameless in so hurrying to believe that the affairs at the Home were just as it would have them to be, and in denying to the board that rigid criticism which is often the truest friendship and most fruitful loyalty.

VERY LOOSE BUSINESS METHODS.

            “In regard to the business matters at the Home, your committee finds that there is no book or books either in the superintendent’s, adjutant’s or secretary’s keeping, wherein are recorded the rules and regulations made by the board of trustees for the government and management of the Home.  A printed pamphlet, reported to contain their rules, was shown to your committee, but we fail to find any record that they have ever been adopted by the board of trustees.  The minutes of the board of trustees are meager, not indexed, and not kept so as to be of practical use. Our work of investigation was in some instances seriously impeded by the inability to obtain from the superintendent, secretary or adjutant such records as we had every reason to find in their offices. Besides the rules contained in the book there are various orders which we were assured had been duly enacted by the board and which are now more or less rigidly enforced, but which were wholly traditional as far as we could discover.

AN INMATE’S BLACKLIST

            “The power of dishonorably discharging an inmate has been delegated to and exercised by the superintendent, and official notices are at once dispatched to all the other state and national homes in case of any such discharge, thereby putting its subject on the black list and effectually debarring him from entrance into any such institution.  We submit that this is authority too great to confer upon any one man, and especially the officer who comes in personal contact with the inmates and is charged with its discipline and control.  An angry impulse or the temptation to banish the trouble, some subordinate may lead to the commission of irreparable wrong.  The power of exclusion from the grounds should be permitted to the superintendent, but that of dishonorable discharge should be reserved to the board, and then only exercised after thorough investigation of the case.

            “We find that the only record of dishonorable discharge kept is the memorandum made by the adjutant, entered at the verbal bidding of the superintendent, on the line in the descriptive book opposite the inmate’s name, and with no record whatever in a single case, or any writing made or signed by the superintendent of the trial, testimony, defense, order, conviction, and sometimes not even of the character of the charges.

            “In this summary manner is the victim’s only method of proving that he might have been unjustly dealt with, cut off, and perhaps his most valuable remaining privilege, that of admission as a war veteran to a soldier’s home, taken from him.  It may seem a small matter to the not-thinking, and probably the thought that an inmate would seldom be dishonorably ejected from the Home without more or less blame on his part, is true; yet the fewer claims a man has on our good will and respect the more jealously should we seek to guard and preserve for him those that remain.

TOO MUCH AUTHORITY IN THE MATRON

            “We find that the superintendent of the Home, Captain Columbus Caldwell, has held that office for a period of six years, but that all authority for control and direction within all the buildings has been conferred by the board to the matron, Mrs. Caldwell.

            “In our judgment this was a serious mistake, and has led up to much of the dissatisfaction and trouble that has been complained of at the Home.  It limits the authority of the superintendent, which should be first in every department of the institution, and imposes duties upon the matron which prevent her from performing the especial and far more important work that justly devolves upon a matron in a proper manner.  Especially unsatisfactory has been the control of the matron and her assistant in the three buildings occupied by the unmarried men.  We found that almost without exception the inmates there resented and were irritated by it.  Your committee would suggest that if the direct care of the building should be delegated to one of their inmates as their captain, with three lieutenants, one in charge of each building, there would result no just complaint on the score of order and cleanliness, and the pleasant rivalry could easily be promoted in the honorable line of excelling in those respects.

MISUSE OF KITCHEN SUPPLIES

            “We find that the supplies for the culinary departments, which have always been furnished in liberal measure, have also been dispensed in a like liberal way, and that, from undisputed testimony, the cook, who has in charge the keys to the storehouse, and his assistants have been in the habit of handing them over to almost anyone who asked.  As many of these supplies were easily moved – such as canned goods, fruit, eggs, butter, sugar, spices, syrup, coffee, tea, rice, and the like – it is not improbable that considerable quantities have been improperly carried off.  And it is more than probable that the charge of favoritism so frequently preferred among the inmates against the matron and her assistant may have been largely promoted by the unequal distribution of provisions and delicacies from the storehouse.  We believe that the superintendent has not been sufficiently watchful in this matter.  We would suggest the appointment of a commissary sergeant to have entire charge of such supplies, as can be properly issued by designated officers, and to make report at the end of each month, showing supplies received, issued and on hand.  There are many of the inmates competent for this who would be glad to be detailed to undertake it for reasonable periods for the diversion it would offer.

BOUGHT AT THEIR OWN STORES

            “We find that two members of the board of trustees, namely, J.H. Woodnorth, who is secretary of the board, and R.N. Roberts, who is treasurer, have been members of firms since the establishment of the Home, which have habitually sold supplies to the officers of the Home for the use of the inmates, and that, as members of the auditing committee, Trustees Woodnorth and Roberts have passed upon and approved their accounts.  That Trustee Woodnorth is a half owner of the store Woodnorth & Whipple, in the city of Waupaca, and that the total amount of drugs, medicines and supplies, including oils and paints, purchased at said store for the Home, is the gross sum of $6,854.82; and that all said drugs and medicines were purchased for the Home with the knowledge and consent of the board, through the surgeon of the Home, Dr. Manchester, who is a brother-in-law of Trustee and Secretary Woodnorth.  Also that the bills presented to the board of trustees monthly since about 1891, in most instances, are made out in the name of Frank Whipple was made at the request of Trustee Woodnorth to avoid criticism and to conceal his interest in the real transaction.

SURGEON MANCHESTER’S SALARY

            “And we further find that just prior to the annual meeting of the board f trustees in 1893, the treasurer, to-wit: R.N. Roberts, had a conversation with Dr. Calkins, in which conversation said treasurer informed Dr. Calkins that Dr. Manchester, the then surgeon of the Home, had demanded or requested, an increase of his salary from $750 per annum to $1,200 per annum, and that the board of trustees were not disposed to pay it, and asked Dr. Calkins if he would take the position as surgeon of the Home at a salary of $600 per annum; that Dr. Calkins declined to do so, but then and there offered to accept the position of surgeon, and to faithfully discharge the duties of that office for $750 per annum, and would attend to all the sick and visit the Home as often as required.  And that soon thereafter Dr. Manchester was continued as surgeon of the Home, and his salary was increased to $1,000.

            “We find Dr. Calkins is a reputable physician of long practice in the city and county of Waupaca, and has been an assistant surgeon in the army, and is a man eminently fit to discharge the duties of that office to the satisfaction of all concerned; and there appears to be no reason, and in fact no explanation was offered, except that he had worked too cheaply before, why Dr. Manchester’s salary should be raised to $1,000 a year when another, equally competent and skilled physician, would perform the same services at $750 per year.  And whether the fact that Dr. Manchester was a brother-in-law of one of the board of trustees and the continuance of the purchase of all the drugs, medicines and medical supplies for the hospital at the drug store of Woodnorth & Whipple in the city of Waupaca, exerted any influence upon the action of Trustee Woodnorth and those in sympathy with him, your committee expresses no opinion, but we are of the belief that such action is open to grave suspicion, and at the best is in bad taste and not to be encouraged.

            “We find that a large part of the flour and feed used at the Home, aggregating about $11,600.22, has been purchased of Roberts & Oborn, at the said city of Waupaca, and that the Roberts of the said firm is Maj. J.N. Roberts, one of the trustees of said Home, and the treasurer of the board.

PRESIDENT MARSTON.

            “We find that no supplies have been purchased by or sold to, or delivered to the Home by the president of the board, Captain J.H. Marston, or any other trustee of said Home, from any concern, partnership, corporation or individual in which he or they were financially interested, but that coal has been purchased of J.H. Marston & Co. of Appleton, at various times, amounting in all to $10,123.75; that said firm consists of the two sons of Trustee Marston, but that he had no financial interest therein.  In short, his entire connection with the Home, from first to last, shows a conspicuous lack of self-interest and an earnest and constant desire to promote its welfare.

            “We find that an interest account amounting to $92.45 was reported to the board of trustees, O.K.ed by the superintendent, though lacking the required affidavit, and that a check had been made by the adjutant for the amount; that it was paid to the bank on or about April 18, 1894.  That said interest was upon overdrafts drawn upon said treasurer, and that a contract was made between the cashier of said bank and Trustee Woodnorth for the payment of said interest; but that the board of trustees had never authorized such contract, nor the payment of said bill, and that the said trustee and secretary, J.H. Woodnorth, was a stockholder and director in the said Waupaca National Bank at the time he made said contract, and has ever since been and is such stockholder and director; and that prior thereto the directors of that bank had instructed their cashier not to pay overdrafts until he had made a contract for the payment of interest, and that said contract and said payment were not made by the authority of the board of trustees, and are wholly void.  Your committee express no opinion as to the propriety of paying interest, but insist that business methods and principles should be carefully observed in transactions of that character.  If practicable an arrangement should be effected for a deposit of funds at a bank at Waupaca to the credit of the Home so that all purchases could be made for cash, thus saving interest on overdrafts, and securing the better terms which cash would procure in the purchase of supplies, over and above time orders, which are subject to a discount.

CONTRARY TO GOOD POLICY

            We regard it as against sound business principles and contrary to good policy for any trustee, directly or indirectly, to sell to the Home, or purchase as agent of the Home, any supplies or material of any firm or corporation in which he is financially interested, except it be done by making public or private bids in writing, and he or his firm or corporation be the lowest bidder.  The whole policy of the law is against it and is expressed to that effect in repeated and most emphatic terms.  Under heavy penalties county officers are forbidden to commit this offence by section No. 6692 of the revised statutes, village officers by section No. 890, county and town officer in regard to printing in section No. 1184, and county officer in regard to supply goods for the county poor by section No. 1526.  And, as if the principles was not sufficiently enforced by these provisions, the legislature has under the general criminal law seen fit to enact under the title of “Official Melfeasance” the following law, sections 45-95, to wit:  “any officer, agent or clerk of the state, or of any county, town, school district, school board, city or village therein, or in the employment thereof, or any officer, regent, treasurer, secretary, superintendent, clerk or agent of any penal, correctional, educational or charitable institution, instituted by or in pursuance of law, within this state, or any member of any body or board, having charge of supervision of such institution, who shall have, preserve or acquire and pecuniary interest, directly or indirectly, present or prospective, absolute and conpitional, in any way of manner, in any purchase or sale of any personal or real property, or ting in action, or in any contract, proposal or bid in relation to same, or in relation to any public service, or in any tax sale, taxed title, bill of sale, deed, mortgage, certificate, account, order, warrant or receipt, made by, to or with him, in his official capacity or employment, or in any public or official service, or who shall make any contract or pledges, or contract any indebtness or liability, or do any other act, in his official capacity, or in any public or official service, not authorized or required by law, or who shall make any false statement, certificate, report, in respect to anything done or required to be done by him officially, or in public or in official service, shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail, not more than one year, or by a fine not exceeding $500.”

PERSONAL FAVOR NO COMMPETITON

            It is charged that all supplies for Homes are purchased without asking for bids or in any way seeking to gain the benefit of competition in prices.  Also that orders fro goods are placed according to personal favor and are kept within a very limited range of patronage; thus exciting much criticism and ill-will in the neighboring city of Waupaca, which gave a large sum through a general tax, but which finds that the financial benefit of the location of the Home near by is realized only by a few.  We find that the charge is true.  The excuse that certain persons had gratuitously given much time and effort to the securing of the Home at Waupaca and therefore are entitled to the benefits of its local trade, is not to be sanctioned either in theory or practice.  If such persons have any just claims for their services or outlays they should present them in due form, have them adjusted, and leave the Home unhampered to conduct its business affairs according to honest business ideas and methods.  Your committee are not prepared to estimate the percentage of benefit which would result from a purchase of all supplies on a competitive principle as far as possible, but are confident that if it were done, the very liberal allowance made by the state for the support of the institution would prove to be ample and no defict would have to be reported at annual meetings.

            We find that no bond is required of the superintendent or of the adjutant by the Board of Trustees; and your committee is of the opinion that both of these officers should be required to give bonds to the Board of Trustees in a reasonable sum.

HOW BILLS WERE AUDITED

            We find that the superintendent was authorized by the Executive committee to examine and correct if necessary the bills presented for payment, and if found correct upon such examination to approve the same; and that upon such approval the adjutant was authorized to issue a check or checks for the payment thereof, that the superintendent has procured and has continued to use for a long time a rubber stamp containing the letters for making the following impression:  “O.K.  C. Caldwell, Supt. Wisconsin Veterans’ Home,” with which stamp his approval of said bills was signified; and that this stamp was left by the superintendent, wholly without the authority of the Board of Trustees or Executive committee, in the possession of the adjutant to be used by him; and that he frequently stamped bills presented with the same, and drew checks or drafts for their payment, and that many of the bills were never, in fact, examined by the superintendent at all.  In the opinion of your committee such practice is unbusiness-like, reckless and dangerous.

ADJUTANT AND ASSISTANT POST MASTER

            We find that the adjutant is a civilian, not an inmate of the Home, and appointed by the Board of Trustees; that he makes an efficient and obliging officer, against whom few complaints are offered.  Your committee sees no serious objection to the employment of a civilian for this office, as it is doubtful if any inmates of the Home could be found with the qualifications who would have the strength and health to discharge its burdensome duties.

            We find that an assistant postmaster, a citizen and not an inmate, was recently appointed on the recommendation of Trustee Woodnorth at a salary of $25 a month, and it is charged, to pay a political debt.  This charge Trustee Woodnorth denies.  The incumbent is a young man, a son of a veteran, and has but one leg.  He is a nephew of Senator McGeehan of Brown county, and Trustee Woodnorth says he was appointed at the request of the Grand Army post at DePere.  In any case he is thoroughly well-qualified to support himself as a teacher or otherwise, as he is well educated, and your committee considers that the position ought to be given to one of the inmates of the Home, as there are those among them who are unquestionably qualified for the place.

EFFECTS OF DECEASED INMATES

            In short, we believe that the policy should be more rigidly followed of giving all the paid employment to the veterans for which they are properly qualified.  They would be glad of the money it would bring to them and would be the happier for the diversion of having occupation.

            We find that there is no order or regulation provided for the care and oversight of the effects of deceased inmates until they are properly claimed by their rightful owners.  The value of such property is not apt to e large, but some systematic manner of taking possession, listing and preserving it should be at once adopted.  Only in this way can the reasonable expectations of the personal representatives of the deceased be satisfied.  Through the hap-hazard method of caring for such property now in vogue at the Home, three cases of positive dissatisfaction were reported, and in one serious charges of embezzlement were made.  Your committee gave this matter careful attention and became convinced that the accusations arose from unfounded suspicions.  We would suggest that a committee consisting of three responsible inmates be assigned to duty as guardians of the property of inmates dying at the Home, and supplied with full adequate directions for its performance.

A COUNCIL OF THREE INMATES

            Your committee is of the opinion that a probable source of valuable counsel has been overlooked by the Board in failing to adopt some systematic plan of conference with the inmates.  As the Home is in some degree a pioneer in its line, it is more than possible that many helpful suggestions could be offered by intelligent and thoughtful inmates whose minds can not but be directed with deepest interest to all the questions involved.  There is also a strong feeling among the inmates if they had some recognized representative in their dealings with the Board.  We would suggest for consideration that the Board authorize the establishment of a council of three inmates to be elected by ballot, all inmates being eligible to vote; and, in order to remove all cause for dissatisfaction, that the vote be taken on the minority representation plan.  That this council be requested to meet the board at some stated time during each session of the board and present such complaints and suggestions as it may have to offer.  This committee might properly also discharge the duty of guardians of the effects of deceased inmates.

CHARGES OF ABUSE

            Respecting the complaints as to the mismanagement of the Home, we find them numerous, coming from more than 100 different persons, either now or former inmates, with few exceptions, and very diverse in character.  Nevertheless, they can all be grouped into a few general classes, and we will first notice as perhaps the most striking the accusation of personal abuse and injury.  There are five well defined instances of this character:  First, it was charged that Mrs. Brewer was dragged from her room by attendants to the dining room when she was unable to walk, greatly to her injury, and to the probable hastening of her death.  We find that the attendants acted under the direction of the surgeon and nurse, and if any wrong was done it was not from any cruel purpose, but because it was believed to be for her benefit that she should take the exercise complained of.  We also find that the charge that she was allowed to lie thirty-six hours in an uncleanly condition, was greatly exaggerated, and that the nurse could not reasonable be blamed, as it was supposed the patient’s daughter had given her proper care.  The accusation that Mrs. Brewer was given improper medicine, nearly causing her death, seems to be wholly baseless; her sickness doubtless arose from other and natural causes.

            The charge that John Little, an imbecile inmate at the hospital, was given a cold bah by an attendant, which probably hastened his death, is the subject of much conflicting testimony.  Your committee fears, however, that proper and humane care was not exercised in his case, and that there is good reason for the charge.

            The charge that Mrs. Alford, who, with her husband had left the Home and then returned some weeks after, bringing a letter from Trustee Roberts asking that she be admitted to the old people’s building, and on the failure of the Assistant Matron Richardson to assign her a room, selected one for herself and refused to answer all inquiries at the door until it was forced open, shows that the accuser was not wholly blameless.  While she was not given a cordial reception, still if she had responded to Mrs. Richardson’s summons she would have found that a room had been prepared for her use.  The charge that Mrs. McNeel was taken from the Home while ill, suffering from consumption, one day last February, and sent to her home in Stevens Point, is not denied, and in our judgment it is not justifiable.  Doubtless the patient was a very unpleasant person to deal with – exceedingly exasperating at times; still she was an inmate of the Home by right, and the comfort of the employees ought not to have been considered in view of the dangerous risk which was taken in removing her.  We cannot believe otherwise than that a great error was committed by the superintendent, surgeon, matron and assistant matron in permitting it.

ROOMS POORLY HEATED

            The charge that the old people’s building has not been properly heated the past two winters, is substantiated by overwhelming testimony.  The inmates have suffered frequently and greatly from cold, and the sick could not be properly cared for in their chilly rooms.  The surgeon made frequent complaints, but it did not seem to reach the superintendent or matron – at least the trouble was not remedied.  The heating apparatus is ample for its purposes, and there was at all times an abundant supply of coal convenient to hand.  The trouble is originally chargeable to the fireman, Mr. Richardson, whose negligence, indolence and total inefficiency seemed to have been covered from proper exposure by his wife, who is the assistant matron, and is in immediate charge of the building.  It is difficult to consider the gross and wicked neglect in this matter with the least tolerance.  The board should especially provide that the heating of this building be placed hereafter in competent and efficient keeping.

            “The charge that he waiting room at the general dining hall was also poorly heated, and that the cottagers who came at the summons of the breakfast bell often had to wait from ten to fifty minutes in a cold room, was fully substantiated, the strongest friends of the administration admitting that this complaint was just.  This room is difficult to keep warm, as large doors at opposite ends are open, to let people in; but it was clearly proved that both the register and radiator were cold to the touch on many very cold mornings.  Fireman Richardson also had the heating of this building in charge, and did his work very negligently.  The discomfort of the people was greatly enhanced the past winter because of a defective steam cooking apparatus which was put in the kitchen last November, and which has worked unsatisfactorily.  The breakfast was seldom if ever ready according to schedule time, yet the cottagers were always summoned by the clock, and not according to the state of preparation for them, and they would hurry to the dining hall fearing to be late if they waited, and usually had to endure a long period of delay in the cold waiting room.  A little thoughtfulness on the part of the officials in charge might have saved them much grievous discomfort.  The steam cooking apparatus was guaranteed to do good work, but six months elapsed before the contractor was required to make his guarantee good – an entirely inexcusable delay.  We are compelled to say that there has been gross neglect and mismanagement in the whole business, and a too manifest lack of humane consideration for the comfort of old people to whom severe weather brings an intensity of suffering which they knew nothing of in their younger days.

THE FOOD WAS GOOD

            It is charged that the food provided is not always good in quality, though no claim is made that it is not sufficiently abundant.  We are of the opinion that this charge is not reasonably made.  It is not always possible to get the best qualities of meat and other perishable foods, but the weight of testimony is that the food was usually good, of sufficient variety and well prepared, except during the last six months, when the new apparatus has made the operation of the kitchen a very uncertain matter.  It was said by old witnesses that the bread was good, also the pastry. As to the food for the sick in cottages, there is more complaint, and seemingly with bitter cause.  There appears to be difficulty in procuring at the general dining hall the delicacies which the sick crave, and no systematic arrangement is in use for giving notice of sickness in the cottages.  The dependence is left to word being brought by the husband or wife, or a neighboring cottage; but in severe weather this method has often failed of proper action for several days at a time, and no little distress has resulted.  In order to get food for a sick cottager it is necessary to obtain a permit from headquarters.  This is regulation, and sometimes is willfully disregarded, even to the extent of great want and inconvenience.  We do not consider the rule especially irksome, but a more effective way of learning sickness in the cottages and of furnishing suitable food promptly should be devised.

COMPLAINTS AT THE HOSPITAL

            We find some serious complaints at the hospital.  There is much fault found respecting the great fluctuations in the temperature of the wards in winter, and while it is true, as one witness said, that “some patients wish a very low temperature and others one that is very high,” yet it is reasonable to believe that frequent variations from 48 degrees to 96 degrees, which were sworn to, show negligence rather than proper care. It is in evidence that the service rendered by Nurse Chichester, who was proven to have been intoxicated several times – but has lately joined the Good Templars – and of Attendant Martelle has not been such as the inmates of the hospital should receive.  They seem to lack sympathy for the invalids, and the latter is charged with advertising his dislike of all veterans, and otherwise tantalizing such as seemed to be sensitive to his rough play and language, which he probably deems merely sporting, but which to them is a source of genuine distress and unhappiness.  It was sworn to that their unsatisfactory work was done in Dr. Manchester’s absence, and that the invalids feared to complain to him, as he seemed to have confidence in the nurse and attendant, believing that only evil could come of the unavailing complaint.  We earnestly commend this matter to the attention of the board.  The other service at the hospital is excellent, and the food is admirable in quality, variety and preparation – Dr. Manchester, the Home surgeon, has the confidence of the inmates generally and their friendly regard.  He is a veteran and a man of kindly motives and strong sympathies.  His practice among the inmates appears to be skillful, and it is generally conceded that he is faithful to his duty.

            We find many charges that partiality has been shown by the officers, especially the matron and assistant matron, in dealing with the inmates.  The fact that many of the cottages have been built by individuals, posts and relief corps, and that the furnishings of the same and of apartments in the Old People’s building and Widow’s hall have been sometimes supplied by the inmates themselves, their friends and relief corps, accounts for most of the differences in accommodations which are observable.  Yet we discovered considerable ground for the complaints of favoritism, and we regret to say that the inequalities of the condition of the various habitations have not been reduced as they might have been, and that inmates who for any reason were unpopular with the administration have not fared as well, except as to the matter of bare necessities, as those who stood in favor.  In short, a number of the cottages show such poor, meager and broken furniture and bedding, when there are available supplies in store, that it is not strange their occupants are unhappy over the belief that they are discriminated against.

SUSPICIONS THAT ARE UNFOUNDED.

            The charge that the first inmate of the Home who died, a soldier’s widow, did not receive a decent burial, was abundantly disproved.

            Suspicions were expressed to your committee that Capt. and Mrs. Caldwell had had undue interest in the maintenance of a small sutler store on the lake shore, and that Trustee Roberts’ financial interest in an elegant little steamer which plies the lakes in charge of an inmate, Capt. Foster, was an improper one.  Both cases were investigated and your committee were entirely convinced that Capt. and Mrs. Caldwell and Trustee Roberts were to e commended rather than censured, as they clearly have given the use of their money for the maintenance of the store and boat to add to the pleasure and convenience of the Home people quite as much as to benefit themselves.  The claim that wood and ice belonging to the Home had been sold without proper accounting, was found to be baseless as to the ice, but that wood used in the sutler store was not duly accounted for, is true.

            The accusation that Assistant Matron Richardson did an unwarrantable act in giving notice of the departure of a young girl employed at the Old People’s building to her sister, and warning her against the attentions of an elderly man, an inmate at the home, we regard as unreasonable.  The act of the assistant matron in this case meets with our fullest approval.

            We are unable to find the charge that work has been frequently imposed upon inmates who were not physically able to perform it, is well founded.  Ordinarily we believe that it would add to their contentment if they could be more generally supplied with such labor or duty as they are capable of performing.  There is considerable testimony, however, and that which seems entitled to credence, that women have been over tasked at times as watchers with the sick and in performing domestic service.

CHARGES OF IMMORALITY

            We find that many charges of immorality among the employees are made, but such accusations are so easily offered and so difficult to disprove that we receive them with extreme caution.  It has been the practice to allow the young men and women employed about the Home, to have the use of the dining hall in the evening for social enjoyment until 10 o’clock, when the electric lights are extinguished.  But it does not appear that the liberty granted, which of itself is not at all objectionable, has always been properly guarded, and advantage has often been taken of the opportunity offered for misbehavior.  It was in evidence that one fragrant case was reported by the night watch about two years since to the superintendent, but your committee were unable to find that he gave it that scrutiny and treatment which it merited.  A number of accusations of more recent date did not seem to be sufficiently well substantiated to deserve our credence; and your committee believe that there is less ground for charges of this character than at an earlier period in the history of the Home.

NO GENERAL INVENTORY

            We find that there has been but one general inventory taken since the Home was established and that was for insurance.  And that an inventory of the supplies on hand is taken but once a year.  In the opinion of your committee there should be a careful, systematic inventory taken of the personal property of the Home at least once a year, and a complete and intelligible record of the same kept by the adjutant.  Of the quartermaster, commissary and hospital supplies a monthly report should be made.

            We find it alleged that boxes and packages of goods were removed on two separate occasions from the Home in a surreptitious manner, but  the testimony offered in proof led us to believe that the witnesses were laboring under a delusion.  It is evident, however, that with the lack of systematic methods in vogue many valuables might be removed without discovery of loss.

            It is also charged that provisions, clothing and furniture sent by Relief corps and other friends have not been distributed according to directions.  This charge is one easy to make, but difficult to substantiate if true.  It is but just to say that it is emphatically denied by the officials.

TOO MANY CALDWELLS ON THE PAY ROLL

            We find that for the month of April, 1894, there are three members of the Caldwell family on the pay roll besides the superintendent and matron. We believe it to be contrary to good policy as a rule to give positions of trust members of an executive officer’s family, who might thereby be shielded from derelictions in the discharge of duty.

            We find that the police regulations of the Home are good and sufficient, that its sanitary conditions are carefully attended to, and that the geneal appearance of the inmates and of their apartments is neat and cleanly.

            We find that the Home is supplied with excellent water, drawn from the lake and distributed through the grounds by means of pipes.  There is also an electric light plant capable of running 500 incandescent lights, giving sufficient illumination for the streets and public and private buildings.  The heating apparatus is good and sufficient for its purpose.  The cottages are warmed by wood stoves, an ample supply of fuel is prepared for use, delivered and comfortably housed.  Steam and hot air are used in most of the large buildings, and a hot water system at the Hospital.  The water and light services show excellent management, but equal ability in caring for the heating is not exhibited.

            The charge that no little annoyance and expense has been caused to the people of Waupaca city by the inmates of the Home going there, with or without permission, and committing breaches of the peace and of good order when intoxicated, we find, is true, though it appears that there is less cause now for the accusation than formerly. But we do not consider that this offence on the part of the inmates has been sufficiently guarded against or punished.  Any person who shows himself willing to bring such discredit upon the Home should be excluded as an inmate.

            We find that all accusations of neglect and severity on the part of the nurse, Mrs. S. Anderson, are without reason or just cause.  In fact those making the few that were brought to our attention attributed her alleged shortcomings as a result of the lack of sympathy and kindness on the part of her immediate superiors.  The great weight of evidence was to the effect that she is a conscientious, painstaking, patient, kind-hearted attendant; in her faithfulness to duty she never spares herself and is ready at any hour of the day or night to go to the bedside of the sick either in the cottage or in the Old People’s building.

ASSISTANT MATRON SHOULD BE REMOVED

            It was charged that the assistant matron, Mrs. Richardson, is harsh, arrogant and offensive in dealing with the inmates, and the accusation was so general and so emphatic that it was evidently believed by nearly all the people in all the departments.  She seemed to be to your committee an intelligent and competent woman, but it is clear that she has lacked tact or capacity in dealing with the inmates, and has so thoroughly incurred their ill will that we are confident her usefulness is wholly destroyed as an officer or attendant at the Home.  Your committee believe and with regret have to say, that her retention, in view of the bitterness and irritation which her presence excites, would be seriously detrimental to the best interests of the Home.

SUPERINTENDENT CALDWELL.

            “We find that the chief executive officer of the Home, Superintendent Caldwell, has the kindly regard of the majority of the inmates.  He is regarded as a humane man, and one imbued with the spirit of comradeship for his fellow veterans.  Yet a careful and impartial consideration of his administration compels your committee to report that it cannot be regarded as successful or satisfactory.  He has been hampered, it is true, by the failure of the board of trustees to provide a thorough and adequate system of governmental policy and business management, but has not shown the executive ability in the degree which ought to have been expected in one holding his office, to himself supply the deficiencies of the code provided for his direction.  He has failed to secure and maintain the mastery of the great enterprise which has been entrusted to his charge, and has allowed abuses, dissensions and difficulties to arise which are absolutely inexcusable.  His business methods have been inaccurate, negligent and slack, showing a defective education in that line, or lack of natural ability and decision of character to control large enterprises in a systematic and masterful way.  In his relation to the inmates we feel inclined to offer excuse for many of the infelicities which are laid to his chare; the action of the board in giving authority to the matron, and under her to the assistant matron, to have full direction of all affairs inside all the buildings, has worked injurious in various ways, some of which have been noted elsewhere.  It has debased his authority, which should be supreme, and introduced confusion and responsibility between the superintendent and matron.  The power of appeal from the latter to the former is wholly nullified because of the relation of husband and wife between them; for no inmate would ever feel that his alleged grievance would have an impartial and unprejudiced hearing if preferred against the one to the other.  In our judgment the function of absolute authority and responsibility under the board, extending throughout the grounds and through every building, should be restored to the superintendent.  If this adds to his labor more than he can satisfactorily perform, the powers and duties of the adjutant, who now represents the superintendent in his absence, might with advantage be extended in the direction of an assistant superintendency.  And to relieve the adjutant in his office work a clerk could be hired with the wages now given the assistant matron, an office which would become superfluous if the suggestions above made are adopted.

THE MATRON AND THE INMATES

            “We find that the relation between the matron and inmates is not that kindly, sympathetic and tender nature which the position implies.  Very few, if any of the inmates turn to her for those helpful offices which the wise counselor and true-hearted, sympathizing friend can so often and so happily administer.  The women of the home, and many of the men, sick in body and spirit, could have their lot made much more endurable through the frequent ministrations of counsel, encouragement and kindly companionship on the part of a good patriotic, high-minded, warm-hearted woman, holding the exalted position of matron.  Mrs. Caldwell is not wholly lacking in the qualities for this best and most useful position in the institution, for it is in evidence that she has quick sympathies for those in distress, and has never refused to go to the bedside of the sick and suffering at any time of the day or night when summoned.  But the board, in putting large responsibilities upon her of an executive character have given her more to do than she could perform well.  Accordingly from choice, or, from what may have seemed to her necessity, she has preferred the latter service to the more important and higher one of being a mother to the feeble and needy charges in her keeping.  That she has most effectively looked after the cleanliness and good order of the habitations and various apartments of the Home, no one can deny.  In these respects she has made it a model worthy of imitation.

            “But in the meantime the kind word and hopeful sympathy, which so many have hungered for, she has not taken the time to give.  In their stead she has spoken censure, rebuke and reproach until people in her keeping have come to regard her as a cold and harsh critic and overseer, instead of a friend and matron.  This feeling is widespread throughout the Home, but to some it signifies much more than to others.  The inmates are like the people in all the people in all ordinary communities – some are self-reliant, in spite of the circumstances which have brought them to the institution, and possessing within themselves the elements that provide largely for their own contentment and happiness; others are weak and broken through misfortune, disease or natural spirit, and dependent upon others, seeking strength, courage and life from those who have them to give. The former class never have much complaint to offer against any administration that is at all tolerable; they are largely a law unto themselves, and are well satisfied as long as any basis for satisfaction is offered.  The others, being almost wholly reliant upon outside influences for their comfort and enjoyment, complain bitterly when such support fails them.  And it is this very class for whom the Home can do the most, and for whom its best and richest benefits should be dispensed. But that has not been the ways at the haven for old patriots and their wives at Waupaca.  The unappreciative, the fault-finding, the ungrateful stand low in esteem there.  Their weaknesses have told against rather than for them.  They have been denounced for their frailties and unforgiven for the trouble and annoyance they cause.  The rule of favor has been reversed, and those who need the most receive the least.

WHEREIN THE HOME FAILED

            “We have given thus much of attention to this phase of the matter because it seems to us to explain in large degree the failure of the Home to be all that it should and might be.  Perhaps it may appear to the officers of the Home that the charge implied is without foundation; but we are well assured that we are not mistaken.  We do not assert that the situation we complain of is one of deliberate choosing and establishment.  Far otherwise; it has grown up through long consideration of the unpleasant features of the case rather than of its duties and privileges.  It is an error much easier to make than to avoid, but once made we very much doubt the ability of those who made it to correct it. And if it cannot be so corrected the interests of no individual or corps of individuals should stand in the way of doing whatever is necessary for the welfare of the Home. It was established by the Grand Army and by the people of the state for the unfortunate veterans of the war who are now without homes or means of self-maintenance, and many of them so because of the loss of opportunities of self-advancement during or on account of their patriotic service.  And it is with no thought of offence that we say, that those who projected and are maintaining the Home, see and consider the humblest inmate, in looking towards it, before they do the superintendent or the matron or board trustees, or any other officials. In administering a trust of this character, even while a good deal of conscience and high purpose may be put into it, there is danger of sometimes forgetting the fact that the maintenance of a corps of employees, in pleasant and profitable situations, has no rightful thought or place in the scheme.  Yet, we regret to say, there appears to have been no little effort expended by the officials of the Home and also by some of the members of the board of trustees, in so many manipulating influences that they should be kept in power, not seeming to be content to do good services and to trust thereto the honor and securito of the servant.

FAIL TO APPRECIATE ITS PURPOSES

            “There also appears on the part of the administration to be a failure at times to appreciate the distinctive character of the institution.  It is not a place for reformation, or discipline, or needless subjection.  It is not a bestowment of charity, but a well-earned habitation.  It is not an almshouse, but a nobly-planned abiding place, offered by a grateful people to those who had made the offering possible.  It comes then not as a gift, but as the payment of part of a debt.  In view of this it is manifest that the rules which bind the inmates of a reformatory, or a poor house, or a military post, have no proper place in a house like that at Waupaca.  Of course there should be rules and regulations and orderly principles for its government, but they should be only such as conduce to the general happiness of the inmates and the success of the institution.  There is no place there for the ideas and methods of the martinet.  On the other hand the Home should not be an asylum for even old soldiers whose habits and characteristics are such as to interfere to any considerable degree with the happiness of the other inmates.  There are proper places elsewhere for inebriates, for the vicious and for other incorrigibles, and there let them be taken.  Until the last years of the generation which fought in the patriot ranks of the Civil War, there will be a demand on the part of those worthy of its privileges sufficient to fill its cottages and halls. It is not long that the people of Wisconsin can have the opportunity to pay their debt of gratitude to living members of the great patriot army.  And while this short opportunity lasts no avoidable mistake should be made – no year, or month, or day should be allowed to pass that does not bring to the Wisconsin Veterans’ Home the highest possible realization of the highest aspiration of its founders and promoters.

IN CONCLUSION

            In conclusion your committee would say that they have endeavored to perform the difficult and responsible task entrusted to them without prejudice and in a spirit of perfect fairness and honesty towards all parties and interests concerned. It has been a sincere pleasure to them to find things to commend in the condition of the Home, and a matter of deep regret to discover that there existed other things seriously detrimental to its usefulness and threatening the utter defeat of the noble purpose which brought it into existence.  They have kept steadily in mind the fact that the Home was established soley for those that have a right to become its inmates, yet have not forgotten that the officers and employees of the Home are entitled to consideration, and are not to ruthlessly and heedlessly devoted to condemnation.  Approaching the subject in this spirit and maintaining it through out the investigation, as they believe your committee are led to the firm conviction that there must be a radical and immediate change in the business methods and practice in vogue at the Home, as therefore suggested, if the imminent danger of waste, loss and ultimate scandal would be avoided.  And furthermore they believe that fully as complete and far-reaching a change must be made in the direct management of the Home if any considerable part of the good work it was designed to accomplish is to be carried out.  The spirit of dissatisfaction, discontent and bitterness now prevalent, is sure to increase rather than diminish, unless new methods and a new spirit control the relations between the officers and the inmates.  And we seriously doubt if the present superintendent and matron can accomplish the reformatory work which your committee regard an absolutely necessary.  They would be hampered by the prejudice and distrust – unreasoning it may possibly be – with which their efforts would be regarded.  It would be impossible for them to do themselves justice under the conditions that have developed during their administration, and it would scarcely be possible for them to do the Home justice.  As has before been said the institution has but a few years in which to do its work; it must not be made the subject of experiment or have its true mission imperiled by mistaken leniency towards individuals.

            In view of the large and increasing financial interest which the state of Wisconsin has in the Home, and to the end that it may not be said that the real trust has been unwisely administered when the Grand Army shall in the not distant future surrender property to the state, according to the terms of the gift, your committee would offer for consideration the suggestion that it would be well that the state have one or two representatives on the Board of Trustees; and would mention the president of the State Board of Control, and the governor of the state as suitable trustees ex-officio.  While this would leave the full control of the Home to the Grand Army, through its representatives on the board, it would prevent future critics from successfully claiming that the state’s interests were not properly regarded while the administration was in their charge.

            Your committee wish to make acknowledgement of the uniform courtesy shown them by the officials and inmates of the Home, and by the citizens of Waupaca, and to testify to the willingness of all to aid them in their work.