The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-03-25
INVESTIGATION CLOSED.
Several Witnesses Examined Yesterday
at the Soldiers Home.
NOTHING NEW WAS DEVELOPED.
No Witnesses Called Yesterday Morning
Owing TO Mr.. owens's Absence-1he
Old soldiers Entertained by the visi-
tors In the Amusement Room.

The Investigation OF the management
of the Soldiers Home at Bristol was de-
layed yesterday by the inability OF Mr.
Oxen to get away from Providence In
the morning. The committee, however.
went out to the home accompanied by the
members OF the board of soldiers relief
and spent the time pleasantly till dinner
in listening to and telling war stories in
Cap tain Halls office.
After dinner all adjourned to the as
sembly room of the veterans and a num-
ber Of the visitors sang old war songs TO
the soldiers, who appreciated them, as
showed by the stamping OF their Feet
especially at the singing of Marching
Through Georgia. America" ana "Tne
Vacant Chair" There is good piano in
Woman's Relief Corp, and this was
manipulated by one Of the newspaper
men.
Mr. Owen, accompanied by Benjamin
Foster and Mr.. Luther, arrived at about
o'clock, and the committee was called
together Immediately. Mr.. Owen pre-
nted the petitions and affidavits. which
were called for yesterday. Henry Dono-
van was first called. He had been In the
home a year, and previously got pen
sion of s6 "A month. lie wanted his pen-
sion TO give to his sister, who had taken
care OF him when he was sick. He com
planned of some bread which they had at
times, and
Also Complained
that be had not enough clothing on his
bed in the winter-and asked Captain
Hail for blanket. Captain Hall had
said he would see Co it, but he had not
got the blanket. Regarding the petition
and counter petition, he had signed he
frs: TO get his pension. but had not
signed the second. The second was put
In the amusement room by Captain Hall,
but he did not know that any threat was
made IL they did not sign.
In response tn questions by Lawyer 5.
W. X. Allen. " no represented the board,
he sJll insis ed that when he needed
more ciothinr on his bed he had not got
IL, and he had been Obliged to put his
own clothes on the bed 80 as TO keep
warm. He did not know when 1t was
that he made his application for more
clothing aud he had made but one re-
quest TO Capt. Han. He had no fault to
hnd with the rules either now or prev
iously. He said that when Masterson
signed his name for hin and bai after
ward read IL to him, it was "A paper
asking for the whole OF the pensions.
James NJ. Whitford said he was one OF
those who signed the paper asking for
pensions. Mr.. Foster had brought up
the paper and he had not looked at it be-
cause Mr. Foster had said IL was all
right. He had understood that it was a
paper asking for an equalization OF the
pensions so that each should have about
the same. He remembered the town
meeti ng when the men had the privilege
of voting IL they would 90 in the carri-
age. Speaking OF the two men who went
down 10 Bristol at that time
Contrary to Orders
he said they go5 discharged "and that
was right wasn't it 2"
Mr.. Owen said he was not there to
answer questions
Witness said he did not understand
that what he was signing was a petition
complaining OF treatment and saying
that the siRners rather 20 To the Door
house than remain and he treated as
they had been treated. Mr.. Allen read
the paper he had signed which did not say
a word about pensions but was instead
flight of rhetoric touching upon the al
legged trials aud sufferings of the inmates.
He declared he did not sign it and when
shown his signature said he did not
know what he signed, but took Fosters
word that IL was about pensions.
Daniel A, McCann said he signed the
pension petition and thought the men
ought to have as much liberty as those
who paid their board. as he considered
the men did who did not get their pen
sion money. He also said the men COM
planned of the bread at times. He thought
the only reason the men did not want to
go in the van was matter OF pride, thew
preferred to go alone. He had pass now,
to go when he pleased and liked IL better
tnan the previous arrangement OF asking
for pass henever he wished to go out.
Mr.. Allen real portion or the petition
which McCanh's name was signed to, aud
said he thought IT said something
about pensions. He thought the election
When the men were obliged to 20 to Bris-
tol in the van was the time the men were
made to feel that they were paupers as
their
Liberty Was CurtaiIed
IL the officers went TO Bristol with them.
He had always been treated well except
In this instance. lie said that when they
received passes he would ratuer have had
the liberty OF going when he wished
without pass.
Mr.. Masterson was called again and
identified the sigma ures he had made for
the other meu. He did IL for the men
" hen they asked hin and thought they
understood that IL was alone for the pen
sIons. IL il had been on account of
grievances he would not have signed IL
himself rs he bad none.
Albert e.. Simous an inmate said the
captain always usei him as gentleman.
lie would like to have "A little more free
dom TO go when aud where he pleased.
lie was an American citzen aud was
likely TO go and get a little crooked once
in while but when he did he kept out
of sight OF Capt. Hall till lie was straight.
only he wished to have the privilege IL he
wished to 40.
AS it was about time TO leave for the
train Chairman Ray announced that the
hearing would b. continued on Wednes-
day Dext at tue state house ON the rising
OF tue house OF representatives, and the
uepOt.