The morning call., 1893-05-01
VETERANS AT OUTS
Home Directors and G. A.
r. to Meet.
A LIVELY TIME EXPECTED.
Many of the Directors Will Probably
Resign = Who VIII Pay for
Royce's DefalCation?

Tonight the committee appointed by the
Grand Army OF the Republic. Department
of California, consisting of E. &. Seymour,
department commander. c. Mason Kline,
S. w. BackuS, W. ii. l.. Barnes and A. j.
Buckles. past department commanders, will
meet with the directors of the Veterans
Home Asso cation TO confer upon matters
and things" pertaining to the defalcation OF
$4,000 OF the late treasurer of the Veterans
Home Association, c. E. X. Royce.
That there will be row and a rumpus
between the committee from the G. A. r.
and the directors OF the home is almost GER
tain. because the former body believes that
the directors of the home have cen crimi-
nally negligent in the conduct of the bust
ness OF The home and are in consequence re-
sponsible for the losses to the nome by
Royce's defalcation.
The &. A. r. men do not claim the liza bill
lty or the directors lies under the cOnsti-
tuition and bylaws Of the Veterans Home
Association alone. but claim that both the
State and the United States laws under
Wnlcn the home, as Il qua i-gOvtrnmeut in
stitution, is maintained, bind the directors
TO full performance Of their duties.
That these duties were not performed
and mat the directors of thesh ONE allowed
Royce uDquestionable and unlimited con-
troll oil the cash OF the Institution without
an examination OF his b, oks or even
question as to the money in his charge, has
been frankly admitted by the board of
directors, and the G. a. r. proposes to hold
them last TO the admission made.
1t Is said the G. a. Il. committee had
meeting Yesterday and formulated plan of
action. The statement is probably correct,
as the majority OF the gentlemen composing
the committee were away from home all of
yesterday afternoon. and when seen late at
night knew absolutely nothing about the
course TO be pursued, and had nevered f3-
Vored or expressed an opinion as to what
should he done in the matter.
All the same the rank and file of the G,
A. *. say that the guns ara loaded for to-
nights meeting, and the directors of the
Veterans Home will be placed under fire.
For some unacc0untable reason there is a
general rumor that Secretary Rockwell of
the elerans' Home is to go. No charges
are brought against him, and all admit that
he has been doing a vast amount of work,
but there seems 10 be a feeling that clean
sweep is needed in the management.
ne question of the canteen is going to
be another point of debate. and there is q
strong tide In favor Establishing that insti-
tuition.
SO far as the recovery of any moneys
Royce has stolen from Royce himself is con-
cerned, both the directors of the Veterans
Home ana the Il. AR. are convinced that
not dollar can be recovered,
There is no longer any question but that
the judgment: in the Steen- Hendy case
and. tie Plumas County lands are both
eaten up by assignments toRathgeb OF Ala
media and Others. There is reason to be-
lleve that Royce owns other lands than
those IN Plumas County, but If so they are
probably in his wife's name or that of his
SON. Again, Royce's title to the. Plumas
County lands is said to be a very doubtful
one and obtained in about the same way he
squared his debts after being made treasurer
OF the Veterans Home Association
At the meeting Tonight the G. a. r.,
through its committee, Will first demand of
the directors of the home a full accounting,
aud will probably outline policy that will
cause most of The directors to resign rather
than make fight to retain position
which pays nothing. is no great honor and
Involves considerable expense and work
w. Ii. Jordan, counsel for the Veterans
Home directors. aud General w. H. l..
Barnes, counsel for the Grand Army, both
decline TO express an opinion as TO the
liability of the directors for ROyce's defal-
cation, both claiming that they have not
fully examined the law on the subject.
1t will he GettYsbugg. Antietam and the
assault on N!cksburg all in one at the ioiut
meeting tonight, and the wounded will be
many. =.