The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-05-09
VIEWS OF AN OLD SOLDIER
Gen. William B. Franklin Talks Poli-
tics and About Service Pensions.
Connecticut Republicans Think Great Deal
Of Gen. Harrison-A Serious Democratic
Division in that State on the Tariff.

GEN. william B. Franklin. Of Hartford, Conn,
is In the city, at the Bates House. A reporter
of the Journal found him quietly sitting in the
Office At the hotel last night awaiting the arrival
of some friends from the East He is here to
look after some business interest connected with
the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Compa-
ny. General Franklin is sixty-seven years OF
age, yet his hair is hardly turned gray and he
appears to be enjoying the finest health. He is
large fleshey looking man. and though be as
serss that he can feel old age crawling rapidly
over him he nevertheless looks good for num-
Der Of years yet. He says that he thinks that 10
is wise law that fixes the date Of officers re-
tirement at sixty five, for now IL does net take
much labor to exhaust him. and he is far strong
er than the average man. He complains that q
heavy days work invariably causes severe
headache and that he can no longer attend to
labors that he once could with ease. He asked
. great many questions about the city. It's popu-
lasion and prospects, and said that he was great
~ surprised to find 90 much of stir on our
streets. being an evidence OF business activity.
far beyond his expectations.
do you talk politics any in your part Of the
countryi" said the reporter.
"Oh, res, we do little Of that. and are be-
possibly. however. as you are out in this State
be replied
al suppose you recognize that Cleveland will
be she Democrats candidateT
THAT seems to be the situation. / know
that ne once said constitutional provision lin
ting Q man TO one term would be good thing;
cfi ho haa ncQd NAT "a "
low HE recommendation and presume he will
have no opposition for she nomination; a, lea't
hear of noue.p
"whom do the Republicans in your State
| talk Off
There is considerable diversity of opinion"
"How does our Indiana candidate stand IN
Connecticut. and in the East so far as you
knowf"
General Harrison stands very well. The
people think very highly of him. he made a
good reputation in tue Senate, and 'hshk
would be good man and make strong race
have met General Harrison several times; while
| be was in the Senate. believe. and at the Sol
diers Home, as l remember IL | an. ycu
know, one OF the beard Of managen eDt OF those
| institutions. and esteem him very hifhly.
| did not know him In the army. bur have known
| him since the ended. he Is good man
do not think General Gresham has much,
strength with us-he is not knosn."
| Has General HMwley any aspira;ionsF
II think nat. ! know of no movement IN bis
I
tina, is suggested, makes good topnoins tcScs
and would run we'll
Would il win il. Com &C icr.f~
Il believe II would. NV immersion is that
the Republicans going To carey Conn -rtirut
| this year any way. III re a. good urx! Of sis-
satisfaction with Barnum IN our Own SITE We
| don't like him personally AZ al. Then the
| Presidents message has corrnitted our Party 20
tariff reGuctors. and thst Is not Gam. IN help u,
| any; go lam inclined on the ~i.o.e To- think Coz
| cha3css for carrying the site tnis
year are not cooi- Tank Tho
Democratic party - c'i"g 70
| lose on tn" Prea.deats n-ssa.- now. bI, + Il
that il viii win in tn. end. because I believe il is
| right However. the leading Democratic paper
in our State. well asssarnun lins"lf, is in Ia
| vor of high tariff. Tais III, sion is what Will
| operate against Us
ANY talk of Blsine in your Slater
mot much. THERE'S a good a-aI II op posi-
ton to him He wouljnl win in our State.
considered his ieclipafson. Whit ne made a. sim
| cere. but am inclined to thiAx -e 1As te-n To-
ducei to change his mnd-trst's ny opinion :"
/ General Frank in talked q,st- frees 90 a va
rely of topics. especially about The ard
concerning pensions He slsd t..t al lbs rrcol-
| lectious of the ve,y fresh and va ID
yet; the events seemed hul sh.rt ur,r Ego.
and he could hardly realize that n" IA giown
to be an old man since the close Of hat great
struggle
OF . general servicepen'on bill"
II do not know much about that / am op-
posed TO service pensions principle. believin
them TO DO entirely wrong. Here is she way
Look at II. think every man owes his ser .lees
| tn his country in time of war IL is hi@ 6uty
to shoulder his musket and march To
his countfy's defense = nothing less and
| when he does so l do not consider
| that his country owes him an ything beyond
compromising him sli yhty while in the ieid.
| IL he Is disabled while in the war. GIVE him a
good. liberal pension, but not simply because
be WAS in the war. That is not good ground
for pension In my judgment / believe that
survivors OF the revolutionary war aud of the
war OF 1872 were given a pension otter forty
years. and / presume the government would
follow the ssme rule in this case. We are, hos-
ever. SO rich and have much money that the
time will in all probability be crowded up some.
am. however. opposed to any service pension
bill unless it is when the soldier has grown old
and helpless. Then it seem to me that il is al,
right
In regard to locating soldiers home here,
General Franklin said that he thought the cl,i
zens OF the city and State ought TO ask the GOV
eminent to deed the arsenal property here 70
them. as the government did not need it. and
would. In all probability. do go If asked then 10
put up good state home. other States hare
done He enumerated several States that had
homes, and said that he thought Congress
would look upon some disposition of tho matter
By the States as the proper way to deal with the
question in the future General Franklin viii
remain in the city day or two, and then return
| 10 hia home