The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-04-11
FROM THE OTHER SIDE.
Defense Of the Soldiers Home Began
Today.
CAPT. HALL SPEAKS OF METHODS
In Vogue I'm the Conduct OF the rnsti-
tution-The Statements of Some of
the Veterans Regarding Food and
Clothing Contradicted.

AT l:3O O'Clock today the investigation
OF the Soldiers Home was resumed. The
evidence in substantiaiion OF the charges
against the management OF the home be-
ing all in, the board of state soldiers re-
lief presented their defense which was
straightforward and plain.
Commander Benjamin l.. Hall was the
first witness. s. w. X. Allen, the attor-
ney for the board, questioned Captain
Hail and secured plain, square state
ments regarding the space which the ln-
mates we're frse to wander over previous
TO the issuing Of the general passes. The
land IN the control of the Home was
described minutely. The method of pur-
chasing the meats was described as fol-
lows Meats purchased OF a butcher by
the side or carcass ald turned over to the
COOKS. W hen the meat was short
Tor any reason, either because
the butcher failed TO send proper
always meat enough OF some other kind
or bread, so that the men need not 20
hungry,
lie Iarding the issue OF passes Captain
Hall said the standing passes were first
issued In July, 1892, to those who de-
served them. This year ne intended do
ing The sane thing One of the wari
-N"N'eit eh6eN'N~N
would be a
Matter of Pride
ii all had them to keep them as long as
possible, and therefore they would be
more particular not to abuse their privi-
lege in any way.
Captain Hal, described the way the or
ders happened to be given on the April
election when the van was provided, aud
not used by the men. The previous
election he had been in Bristol, aud
saw the carriages stop at the door OF
saloon aud the men 20 iuto the place,
coming out few minutes later with
proofs OF liquor about them. This was
the reason he had issued the order that
no passes could be issued on that particu-
lar day. lie had also notified the persons
u auaglng the canvass of both parties
that he had provided "A means of trans
portation and requested them not to
send carriages for the men. They had
agreed TO IL and did not TO his knowl-
did. but he did not know who it was.
lie mad freq ientiy taken liquor away
from the men when they returned from
voting aud evenings on return from
church. There was no restriction on
men who wished TO go to churcn. They
could 90 when they pleased. but must re-
turn at a GER ain time.
The episode connected with the case of
the veteran engineer, Rothwell, who had
lett in
Such a Hurry,
was related. Captain Hall had requested
him to do some parts of his work and be
had answered that he did not take orders
from Captain Hall. He had tcia him
that the matter must be looked into
as it was necessary TO ascertain whether
there was any head 10 the institution
or not. He then went back TO the
Office, and Rothwell soon came and an
nounced that he was going to leave
the next morning. He mad made
no objection aud had obtained
the sslsiance of young man from
Bristol to help out at he time, as be
could not get along without someone.
Tue young man who was hired was not
an old soldier nor was the one perma.
nently secured short time after.
The case of Owes Kelly was brought
up and it was stated that he was re-
ported for using disrespectful language
in the pavilion to the sergeant.
He had demonstrated with him and
he had asked for his discharge.
He went away In the morning with
plenty Of warm clothing, being obliged
TO leave only the uniform. He had al
ways had the privilege of going to the
shore and fishing and selling the fish in
Bristol.
Mr.. IhOrpe had sold his shoes, refus-
ing to tell where he had sold them, and
was dishon raoly discharged.
In the case OF Medburv he had seen
him terribly drunk in Bristol and had
advised him to 20 TO the Home, when
he answered in vile language. He had
refused to apologize aud had been dis
honorably discharged.
Mr.. Ray asked about the laborious
duties of Mr.. Coyell who had been "A
nurse in the hospital. He had voun-
teered TO do the work aud wished to
continue though he knew it was hard.
he Home delivered the dead bodies at
the train aud provided caskets. la tie
case of the two who lay dead at the same
time Captain Hall was always OF the
opinion tnat Sherman's death scared
Danlorth TO death. A third diei b, fore
these two were buried.
Regarding the ssue of fruit. the men
had free access To Jhe apples, both before
they were gathered ana after. Cider was
free until Captain Hall found several
men sitting around the barrel smoking
pipes aud he shuG down on tue whole
matter