Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-07-14
GEN. STEPHENSON.
An Explanation Of the Tosus Affair
Which Apparently Exonerates the Gov
eTnor trom Blame


1
ing's Journal in relation to Togus by its
partial statement of facts, and animadversions
has produced upon the public mind an un-
favorable impression, and knowing that YOU
would rather circulate truth than error, and
would not knowingly state anything untrue
TO blacken the reputation of anyone
submit for publication my knowl-
edge of the matter in dispute.
All who are intimately acquainted with
Gen. Stephenson know that he is an upright
and conscientious gentleman. more careful of
government property than Of his own, and
would sooner wrong himself than another.
Certain rules and regulations, made from the
laws of Congress and the orders of the Board
of Managers, control the governor in regard
TO the admission of members into the Home,
and he has no power TO go beyond those
rules. Members who are dishonorably dis
charged from the Home for misdemeanor of
crimes, cannot be even temporarily reinstated
except by vote of lthe managers
Men who are evidently tramps often go to
the Home, and represent themselves TO be
| soldiers, but having no papers TO show that
they have seen service are sent away, because
the place was notdesigned for an Aims House
but for Home for disabled soldiers
Notwithstanding the rules, Gen. Stephen
son has repeatedly assumed the responsibility
of allowing men he knew 10 be soldiers, to
remain at the Home, until orders relating to
them could be received. In many cases he
has furnished men with money from his own
pocket TO enable them to return to their
friends, when they could NOS under the rules
be admitted TO the Home. During the winter
season, the Home was so crowded that orders
were received not to admit any more men
under any conditions. When men applied
for admission personally, the only thing the
Gov. could do was to keep them over night,
and send them to Augusta the next morning
on the mail carriage. This, of course, throws
them upon the authorities here. The trouble
lies in the fact that towns try to get ril of
men who are "a burden to them, by paving
their expenses TO the Home, without ascer-
tanning whether they are eligible, or whether
the Home is in condition to receive them.
Harry Hopkins, supposed to be brother
in-law of Burns, was member of the Home
and represented that he wanted to visit
Washington on business, and asked for the
transportation which the railroads issue for
the use of members of the Home, at reduced
rates, as "A charity. Under such circum-
stances, the Home is morally bound to pro-
tect the railroads from attempts to cheat and
defraud. Tickets were furnished Hopkins
Two days after he received the tickets, the
Governor informed that he had not
procured them for his own use. hut for the
use of Burns the notorious rum.seller
Hopkins acknowledged to the Governor that
he sold the tickets to Burns, who had used
them. These facts were made known In tho
Board of Managers. who directed that Hon
kins should be dishonorably discharged.
The house referred to, was occupied by
the murderer of Sergeant Molloy, and had
been used as a csver Tor a criminal. The
house becoming vacant, Gen. Stepbepson
hired it, and it remained empty for A time
Finally he rented it to member of the Home
for less rent than he himself was paving for
it, At length he bought it. and the tenant
wanting il enlarged, materials were purchased
at Augusta for this purpose. and inmates of
the Home were employed to do the work
and were paid by the General himself. The
tenant wanting to buy the house, and know
ing that it would not be used for the sale of
liquors, sold it for twenty-five dollars less
than it cost him. This whole action was
based entirely upon the desire to shield the
soldiers from pernicious surroundings.
McCauley was arrested for insulting la
dies, and a murderous weapon was found
in his possession. After arrested lie theaten-
ed to take the Governors life. and when the
case was sent TO the President of the Board
of Managers, he ordered his dishonorable
discharge. Instead of leaving this vicinity
he came back to Togus, desperately assault