The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-03-08

investigation had been held In tlis the
soldiers home. The S, ate board Of sol
diers' relief made an investigation In
ID cember last and in the proper time the
state would undoubtedly receive a report
from that committee. For that reason
alone he would oppose this resolution.
But on other grounds also he was
against the resolution. He called the
attention OF the House TO the petition,
which was signed by names written on
slips of paper and pasted on the petition.
One name at least was signed by "A cross,
and was the name of man who he knew
could write. Further the nam were al.
most all written in the same hand
and the crosses apparently made also by
the same hand. There was scarcely any
one who would give attention TO any such
petition as that, and he thou hit il was
very doubtful IL the House should act Oh
such n matter.
Mr.. Allen read from the stenographer's
report of evidence given at the investi-
cations held by the ate board during
December aud January. The evidence
WAS that of all the men who were In the
home who had made complaints.
Some Of them showed that the inmates
who were fined had come home
from furloughs in drunken condition.
One man stated that he had never signed
a petition nor put his hand to pen or
asked n y one to sign his name TO pet-
ton. Mr.. Allen read the record of Mr.
Joseph 5. Covell, who had claimed that
his pension had been taken fro - him
1t showed that he had been intoxicated
several times, and had used dsrespt ctful
language to the officers. L. was stated to
him that by making over his pension
to the state board he would Let il
sooner, and that the money received
would at once be turned over TO his wife
and he refused. 1t is n rule of the insti-
tuition that upon the reques Of soldier,
his pension is Invariably turned over To
any member of his family who is de-
pendent upon him.
Benjamin +. Fosters record showed
that he had been member OF battery
corps aud was never in battle. lie had
been wounded on tue morning of IA battle
by the accidental discharge OF
pistol in his pocket. An afii-
davit signed by the warden,
III. b. Lovel. of the Massachusetts Sta
Prison, o Ell that Foster had been con-
vi, ted of rape and had served a erm of
nineteen aes, from 1859 To 1888 in the
stae prison of Massachusetts for that
offence.
Mr.. Allen read from the rules of the
Home TO show that whenever pension
was taken from "a man 10 was turned over
to those dependent upou him. When
he had no dtpendtn family one
half of the peusiou was kept
by the Home and one half
was returned TO the United States. He
cited the laws OF the state showing that
many of them take all the pensions of
the soldiers. Massachusetts takes all
but s. per month, Rhode Island takes all
but 81
Mr.. Mulholland said that from the re-
marks of the previous speaker he was
convinced that II for no other reason
than To win icate the state board be
thought AN investigation should be held.
Here were aflidavits sworn TO which were
nf M
peared that there might have been
perjury committed. lie cited
statement made on the hoor today that
,he daughter Of one of the officials had
called one OF the soldiers a Soldiers
Home pluper." IL this was true what
must be the opinion of others not OFF.
Gals.
Il. Ii. Wilson said that the wording of
these afiidavits show that they had 10
been written by the men who signed
them. but had evidently been gotten up
by some parties Tor particular purpose.
As TO the need OF an Investigation, he
said there was none. An invesU sUigation
was now being made by the governor
and the state board, and yet tue House is
asked To sanction another invest CATION,
thereby throwing suspicion on the
acts of the highest official II
oi Foster. aud said the House was asked
to Investigate the governor and its high
est officials by man who VAS under
sentence Tor life for cri ne committed IN
n neighboring state. IL swas an Insult To
the s,ne fncers aud to the House to ask
for such au investigation or To entertain
it for "a moment.
C. a. Wilson said that Cav Brown had
Just stated to him that he would he very
sorry II this resolution was voted down.
lie felt that such suspicious should be
allayed. Mr.. Wilson thought THIS stand
OF the governor was very honorable, and
he was confident that such an investiga-
tion would result in nothing, Yet he
favored it aud would vote ior IL.
A roll call was ordered. and the resolu-
tion was carried by yote OF 80 JO1 I..r
speaker appointed as members OF tie
com mites Mr. RAY, Mr.. Fales and Ma
lIendrick. Mr.. Brown novel tLas the
number he increased from three TO five,
ON the groun that OF the three commit.
=, men appointed two were opposed 10
the resolution, although the vote was %
to Z.
MIR. owen opp Sc tie motion b,ctuse
he said hp did not believe 2 the e. uttr
had made its appointments ina vet ntly.