Omaha daily bee., 1889-04-21
THE SOLDIERS HOME MUDDLE
Grand Island Citizens Insist on
Hammond's Removal.
THE CAUSE OF THEIR ANiMOSITY.
A Probability That the Governor Will
Make Another Inquiry Into
the Affairs OF the
Institution.
THE CAUSE OF THEIR ANIMosITY.
LINCOLN BUREAU OF THE OMAHA BEE,
1929 p STREET,

1929 p STREET,
LINCOLN. April 20.
Grand Island is anxious to get rid of Com
mandant Hammond, of the soldiers and
sailors home In fact, the citizens of the
place are more anxious for his resignation
than the inmates of the charitable institu-
tion; and, moreover, they want one of their
number appointed in his stead. 1t is learned
that petitions numerously signed have been
received by the board of public lands and
buildings and by the advisory board Of the
home, praying that recommendations be
passed to the governor asking for his resigna-
tion. 1t is also learned that this will not be
done. THE governor was present at the
recent investigation, and knows the situation
fully" said a member of the board to-day,
land he certainly can act with wisdom
have stated, there has been some
ki,, kicking on Il the retention of Han Hammond,
fellow, cranky, perhaps. and petulant, but
whatsoever he does is done honestly, and /
believe with pure motives. Most of the in
mates, in fact, like him and speak very
kindly of his management of the institution.
1t is my opinion that the shoe plnches Grand
1slandites because Hammond buys where he
can buy the cheapest. He gave the contract
for the furniture of the home to Kearney
firm because the same class of furniture
could be bought there for less money than at
Grand Island Other incidents of this kind
could be mentioned. Business men there
want to furnish the supplies for the house at
their own figures, without competition, and
because the old man will not toady to their
whims he has fallen into bad repute. This
cry is made worse and more effective
because five six old croakers
charge abuse, insuficency to eat lack
of clothes and other things equally absurd
and nonsensical doubt not that Hammond
is something of an old bore; We all know
that he is very irritable and manifests too
much temper at times. The trouble is, Ham
mond's position has given him the pig head,'
and ii he is removed it will be because of re-
suits of this human frailty. But it won't do
TO appoint Grand Island man in his place.
Whenever this is done there will be trouble
in earnest In my Judgment, il" Hammond
has to go. his place will be supplied by some
person with conscience enough to spend the
states money where it will go the fartnest."
1t is said that Governor Thayer has gone
TO Grand Island to take another peep into
affairs AT the home But this is not certain.
He left yesterday ostensibly for Kearney,
and it will not be surprising II he answers a
summons to the former place before he re-
turns. The board of public lands and build
ings is evidently anxious that he shall act in
the matter without pressure or restraint.
Poor Unciviiized Lincoln.
Despite the efforts OF Stewart McConiga
and l.. w. Billingsley before the city coun-
Gil last night, the ordinance providing for
Sunday opening of the Eden Musee, was de-
feated. The petitions of the church people,
the remarks of Father Walch and Council.
men Pace, Bushnell and Dean did most ex.
cellent service. IL had been given out be-
fore the meeting OF the council that enough
votes had been secured TO insure the pass
age OF the ordinance law, and the friends of
Sackett a. Lawler were on hand feeling in
iubilant spirits. McConiga addressed the
council nearly an hour, assailing religion, re-
ligous people, the church and churches, and
closed his plea In b half of the Musee, TO
take the place of the churches, and prayed
the passage OF the Law TO show to the world
that Lincoln was advanced In civilization
and freedom. Billingsley followed. He,
too, talked for a half hour or more.