The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-09-15
DR.. Fletcher's Record of Facts Concern
ing a Place of Political ROttenness.
Insane Hospital Management BY Democrats
Given Searching aud Exhaustive Review
What Men Think of the Outlook.
AT ToMLINSON HALL.

Stirring Speeches by Corporal Tanner and
DIR. w. B. Fletcher, Lately Democrat
Three thousand people were at Tomlinson
Hall, last night to hear addresses. by Corporal
Tanner, of New York, and Dr. W. Is. Fletcher,
Of this city. for several years SUPERINTENDENT Of
the Indiana Insane Hospital. All present were
anxious to hear the latter from the fact that he
has severed his connection with the Democratic
party. aud is in possession of important facts
connected with the rings dIseraceful manage
ment of the hospital. The audience was one of
marked intelligence. Hundreds Of the best pso-
pie of the city were present. among them many
Democrats who have an interest in the good
management Of the charitable institutions Of
the State. Several hundred ladies were also
there. and remained until the close of the meet
ing, giving close attention to all that was said.
The First Regiment Harrison and Morton
guards attended in q body, and occupied the
middle tier OF seats, reserved for them. The
gathering, like all those the Republicans
holding, was remarkably enthusiasts. Every
mention Of Harrison's name was eheered,
and frequently, while the audience
assembling, it voluntarily broke out into
cheers The First Regiment Band furnished the
music for the occasion. and helped to make the
good cheer run high by rendering several of the
stirring national airs Hon. Geo. W. Spahr,
colonel of the First Harrison and Hovey Reei-
ment, presided. In calling the meeting to order
he created some amusement by saying that be
desired all present TO understand this was Re-
publican meeting. and that all Republican meet
ings came near being religious meetings In
announcing Corporal Tanner and Doctor Fletch-
er as the speakers, he spoke Of the former as .
man who in the hour Of danger TO the country
hurried to the front, and of the latter as q man,
who held to the right doing of official duty above
party fealty.
Corporal Tanner was the first speaker. He
was given o very cordial reception By the audi
ence when he came forward, many of the
soldiers using and waving their flags He spoke
for little over hour. and IN a tsrse, convinc-
Ing manner discussed the leading issues OF the
campaign. His address abounded with argu-
rnsns, eloqusnce, wit, and humor. He has .
magnificent voice, and az times his eloquencs
is equal to that OF lngersoll. lie
devoted special attention to the tariff question,
and offered convincing argument in favor Of
protection Begging the pardon Of the audience
for waving the bloody shirt, he showed how the
South, when it went into rebellion, favored free
trade; how England conceded with the view;
how the latter country stood by the South dur
ing the rebellion, and how the North
and protection triumphed over the South.
free trade, and England The North. he pre-
dcted, would again triumph over the same
forces reinforced by President Cleveland. His
srraignment of President Cleveland for his
treatment of the Union soldiers was severe, aud
his reference to the bandanna handkerchief as
the emblem OF Democracy in this campaign
was both amusing and impressive The ban
asnna. or q nose rag he said, indicated a very
had case Of internal arrangement This year II
indicated that the case would Be fatal He then
- h. fhA hQ ndx
was worn as q head gear by the negro women OF
the South, not one OF whom could say my
children are mine until death shall separate u.s."
TIE Democratic party was welcome TO the ban
danna and all it represented; the Republican
party would stick TO the old flag, which hac cost
them so dearly but was now bowed 20 by every
nation of the earth, because 1t hoated above
them all After Mr.. Tanner was through with
his regular speech be announced that he de-
erred TO devote ten minutes to the old soldiers
present. He then addressed them as follows:
Now, about your local affairs. i want to
talk right from the shoulder to ali old soldiers
who are here and L hold myself responsible.
here at any line, for what say. For long
years now. ever since that committee was or
ganized. l have been q member or the national
committee pensions or the Grand Army or
the Republic. Cutting il short, want to say to
the soldiers Of Indiana that the most completely
equipped demagogus / ever knew repeat 1t
the moss comDletely equipped demagogue
ever knew, evidenced by his public acts, Is the
pr sent nominee of the Democratic party for Gov
ernor OF Indiana Applause Hit him again.
Judging him solely on the record he has made
there, he is not entitled TO solitary vote from
solitary veteran OF the Union army. Ap-
plsuse. He is an able gentleman. and therefore
mas been more dangerous to the interests in
voiyed: because he has been Just smart enough
TO sit there in bis committee and AXE reports
and report them 10 the House. ostensibly favor
inc pension legislation for the benefit OF the
boys. and the widows and the diseased and
crippled. What after thau What does he
Ii. Housed He has never lifted
finger TO try to get the House to give any con-
sideration 20 those measures, thereby convicting
himself Of his absolute doublefaoedness on
these matters. Applause. When We saw the
condition Of affairs, realizing, as we did on the
10Th Of last May. that We must get these things
before the House il it was ever TO result IN any
benefit 10 the boys ct large. we started petit
ton. addressed to the committee on rules,
ASKING that committee, which had the
power, 10 set aside one, TWO or
three DAYS for the consideration of general
pension legislation We got over one hundred
signatures Of members of Congress, out we could
not get the signature OF the gentleman from In
diana, DIR. Matson. Now, getting UPON the cal
sndar is thing sought for; but under this ad-
nsinistration and under the leadership OF Mr..
Matson, getting on the calendar has come to be
the graveyard of all soldier legislation. He did
report monstrosity
'-Can the soldier complain if, after having re-
finds that he has not enough to support him
can he complain IL, for the balance of his sub
sistence, he has to apply a other citizens do to
constituted charitable authoritiesl That il the
neatest way ever heard the term poormsster
got around, and it ought to stamp the brand
OF shame upon the brow of the man
within whose frame is carried the
heart that Is SO cold blooded to propose II
lApplsusel Against Mr.. Matson you have
man who never faltered in duty TO the Republic
who never forgot that ne was a comrade OF the
men he commanded who, IL you put him in the
State house here at Indianapolis, will stand in
the future as A. p. Hovey stood all through the
war for the interest OF the citizens OF the
United States. without distinction of race
creed or color" Applausel.
TAis arraignment of Colonel Marson was ap-
plaudsd by those present ct the close of nearly
every sentence, and when he finished Corporal
Tanner was vigorously cbeered.
After some vocal music DIR. ". B. Fletcher
was introduced by Colonel Spahr His appear
ance greeted with repeated cheers and
nearly the entire audience arose and joined in the
applause. Many persons in the rear Of the room
desiring 10 hear all he said. crowded forward
and stood IN the side aisles during his entire ad-
dress. He read from manuscript in an
earnest, Impressive manner Frequently
he was interrupted by applause, and at the close
of the address tho audience arose aud gave him
three cheers Many friends also crowded around
him and con gre lated MIN the stand for
principle he mad taken.
Dr. Fletcher besap by briefly sketching the
origin of the States benevolent institutions and
thar past-rartisan ruapaoement hv WHOA "a