Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-03-15


regularly delivered, three times o week, TO two
members OF the board OF commissioners at their
the products dairy are delivered daily TO one
member OF the board at his residence In the city.
TO 6e sure this oioer has several cows OF his own
the expense OF the Home the effect is the same.
While these things may appear trivial and unim-
tance from the fact that they furnish material
the scandalous attacks which are made from time
to time against the Home management
The conservatory and flower garden, which are
maintained at an annual cost OF IRON 5000 to
$1,000, seem to be, SO far as my observation and
and accommodation OF two members OF the board
OF commissioners at whose residences in the city
the choicest flowers are delivered at stated and
regular times. On special occasions these regular
supplies are increased. SO far as have been able
to learn, no flowers are ever distributed to the
inmates OF the Home or the hospital. The florist
informs me that he sometimes allows officers OF
the Home, and inmates, too, ii they ask for them.
and by the expression "when they can be spared"
been first served"
Members of the family OF the president OF the
board OF commissioners do not hesitate to enter
the precincts OF the Home and order mechanics
from their legitimate work to make alterations
and repairs in public buildings, and make large
purchases, amounting to hundreds OF dollars, OF
material not at all necessary to the Home and all
this with out the sanction even the knowledge of
the governor, these purchases subsequently re-
ceiving the approval OF the board OF commission
erS.
MONEY OF DECEASED SOLDIERS.
On entering upon the duties of governor found
that In various banks throughout the country GER
tain moneys were lying which had been deposited
by soldiers, afterwards deceased and which, there
fore legally accrued to the Home fund For the
collections OF the moneys contract or agreement
had been entered into, with the sanction OF the
treasurer, Major j. Ii. Whttlesy and his SON. Mr.
Charies A. Whittlesy, an attorney. By the terms
tached, 1t will be perceived that Mr. Charles A.
Whfttlesy was TO receive fifty per cent OF the
collections, or, Mr.. Whittlesy himself expressed
it in the accompanying paper. "All incidental ex-
penses are to be first deducted from the gross
amount OF the recovery, and the balance is to be
halved between himself and the Home"
Believing that these moneys could be collected
without the interpostion OF a third party and thus
the whole amount saved to the Home, directed
nicate with the Board OF Commissioners ON the
subject and request authority to withdraw these
accounts which had been handed over for collec-
ton on the day preceding the expiration OF his
term OF serv1ce-viz., on June 30, 1881. The au-
thoE1ty was granted and the accounts were accord
1Dgly withdrawn. The whole amount collected
under this contract, or rather agreement, SIS,
or which the Home fund received as its share 81 As
$16O was awarded Mr.. Whittlesy for his services
There is one member OF the board OF commission
ers who Is not in sympathy with some OF these
proceedings, but who, on the contrary, has evtnced
strong desire TO assist me in an economical ad-
m1nlstrat1on OF the business OF the Home, and
have reason to believe that he would gladly va
cate his position On the board IL he could do SO le
galy and honorably. The step inaugurated by me
LOT the annuliing OF the agreement (Mr. WhitleSy
being a relative OF the president OF the board OF
commissioners, together with my protest made
10 two OF the commissioners against the asslnlp-
tl0n OF the duties OF the governor by irresponsible
private individuals in no way connected with the
Soldiers Home. evoked the most intense hostility
against me, which has been manifested in syste-
matte and petty prosecutions ever since; and the
subsequent monthly proceedings OF the board in
SO far as they relate TO the governor or his admin
1strat1On, consist Of little else than series or re-
SJriCJlOQS fv hu-
initiate HIM In the estimation OF the officers and
Inmates or the Home ani render him altogether
p0WerieSS for good in the administration OF the at
fairs OF the institution.
POSITION OF THE GOVERNOR
The position OF the governors is In some respects
peculiar. His functions prescribed by regula-
tions established by the board OF commissioners
and approved by the Secretary OF War, and consist
In ''adIninlstering the affairs of the Home"
Shouid the BOARD, from any cause, at any time,
see ut TO curtall those functions either directly or
indirectly, the governor cCud OF course, properly
De heid responsible only for due adm mist tion
or such diminished functions, Nevertheless. his
oelng the nominal head OF the institution residing
within its domain and known as its governor the
puDllc at large as well as the inmates themselves
VIII always hold him morally responsible for the
just and efficient administration OF its affairs,
IhlS Oelng the case might ltnCt be advisable to
give to the governor voice In the man cement OF
the Home? This could readily be accomplished by
Slight modiflca ton OF the law, constitute
the governor eL-0GcfO member OF the board of
commissioners, and in case it should be deemed
necessary that the board should consist OF an odd
number still another member might be added
making flve In all instead on three as at present.
The two commissioners spoken OF by General
SturgeS above as having been res pOnSible for the
abuses mentioned are Surgeon General Barnes
who Is president the commissioners or the
solalerS' Home, and CommisSary General Mac