Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1889-10-04
THE SOLDIERS HOME.
Governor Treichel Replies
to the Charges.
STRAIGHTFORWARD STATEMENT.
No Decision Will be Given by the
Beard Here-Impr0vements
in Contemplation.


At 9 O'Clock yesterday morning the
investigation of the affairs of the Soldiers
Home was continued in the official quar-
tors, Colonel Harris, the Vice President
and acting Chairman Of the board, con-
Quoting the proceedings. Chaplain Mil
lard was the first to put u an appear
ance, and continued in the 1ame strain in
which he talked the day before. He
seemed to think that the laws Of equality
had not been observed in his instance,
and gave as an evidence that when he
went to shake hands with the Governor,
Colonel Treichel only gave him two fin
gers. Most Of his eloquence was in a
similar strain, and before he left he put
in few words on behalf of his friend,
Riley Hobson.
When he had departed there appeared
on the scene Veteran James R. Finch,
who stated that he desired to have his
name removed from a petition against
the Governor, which he had been induced
to sign when basy, under the pretext that
it was document of another nature. He
added that he had no complaint of any
description against Colonel Ireichel.
A. G. Libby then came into the board
room. He stated that he had but very
little complaint to make, and that it was
the Mexican war, and was therefore an
old man, and could not mssticate the
meat. He thought, however, that good
1rc1 80 Tho frouhlo 1os1 Nth hn mob
and he remarked that they had not had
. good cook in the Home. He had moth
ing against the Governor at all.
When Libby went out the Orderly Ser
geant called for other compliments to
Colonel Harris was therefore left without
work, but meantime Colonels Markham
and Thomas examined the commissary
department. After short time, Veteran
George Byfeld came before the board
and said that he had complaint to
make. He said that he had never been
in Home before. He complained that
he had not had proper medical treat
ment. When he tried to enter the Home,
on the 1st of last September, he was
refused admission. He went to the
County Hospital and stayed until last
March, when he was admitted here. He
said that he did not have proper medical
attendance. He had hemorrhages, but
did not get the stimulants he ought to
have. He was at the hospital table, but
did not like the treatment, 80 he went to
the regular table.
A few minutes before II O'Clock
Colonels Markham and Thomas returned
from their inspection tour, and spoke of
having found everything satisfactory.
Col. Thomas WAS loud in his praise of
the wards, and said that the establish
ments were in very fine order.
At 10 AS the visitors put in an appear
ance and joined the board, the arrivals
being General E. P. Johnson, Colonel
Vernon and the press representatives
Colonel Harris then announced that il
appeared as if all of the complaints from
the men had been heard, and stated that
he would proceed with the examination
of the officers of the branch.
GOVERNOR TREICHEL TEsTIFIEs.
Col. Treichel, the Governor of the
Home, was accordingly called to the
stand, and testified az follows: 81 have
been Governor of this branch since the
beginning, and was also financial official
until the LIST of July last. received and
disbursed all moneys, and advertised for
all bids and contracts up to that time.
appointed the subordinate officers of the
Home, the Commissary, Quartermaster,
Barrack sergeants, and all non
commissioned officers. Up to the time
that Major Erdman reported, l only had
one commissioned officer, DR.. Hasse, to
aid me. l performed all of the official
duties with the exception of the medical
ones until Major Erdman arrived. 1
have had occasion to remove subordinate
officers for cause. The first one, I be-
lieve, was Sergeant-Major Merritt. l
discharged him because he published or
made false affidavit in relation to nv
integrity and the conduct OF the Home ;
Tor melting others to contempt and in
subordination, and for violation of con-
fidence and trust. My Police Sergeant
is named Rice; he has been in Office
since April or May last. have had re-
ports from members of this branch COM
planning of Rice's brutality and mis-
management. The barber who has been
discharged complained Of rough treat
ment. / investigated his complaint and
found that the complainant was drunk
and very violent, and was
convinced that he required severe treat.
ment. The barber had been struck with
something by Rice in an effort to control
him, for he was endeavoring to break
the guard-house down, and he did ii
to a certain extent. To restrain
him Rice struck him, but the
barber was not badly injured. My final
determination was that the Sergeant Of
Police had undoubtedly been attacked,
and in defending himself had been
obliged to use force. l believe that he
only used such violence as was necessary
to subdue the prisoner. The barber was
acting like maniac from rum; saw
him. afterwards had the barber be-
fore me when he was sober; recon-
mended him to the Board of Managers
for dishonorable discharge, and he got
it. am not aware that there was ever
any other direct charge against him.
The Colonel then consulted the records,
and then read as follows: "The mans
name was ). Benson. He was drunk
and abusive and stole from his comrades,
and his presence was undesirable to his
comrades, 30 say the charges and speci-
fications preferred against him. He was
man could not control, and therefore
1 recommended him for dishonorable
discharge"
Colonel Harris-Now please tell MT
about your police system, and it's modul
operandi.
Governor Treichel-I have Sergeant