The morning call., 1893-09-16
ON THE GROUND.
Two Investigators From
Sacramento.
OLD PEOPLES HOME SCANDAL
Agents of the State Controller Have
Long Conference With Mrs.
Captain Nelson.

Home are now being investigated by Dep
uty Controllers w. W. Douglas and j. w.
Baker from Sacramento.
Rather secretly the deputies from the
State Controllers began their work yester-
day afternoon, saying nothing to any body
outside of the institution and keeping
their presence in the city as guarded from
the press and public as might be.
When cOrnered last evening by CALL
reporter Mr.. Douglas reluctantly admitted
his mission here, but said that so far his
Investigations had resulted in the dlscov-
cry of nothing either in favor of or derog-
atOry TO the institution.
'OuT sole work, OF course. is to see
whether the home IS claiming funds from
ths State to which it is not entitled" !"
said he.
I'VE will conclude our labors by tom or
row afternoon, and go at once to Sacra-
mentO and report the result of our inqui-
ries to the Controller. He. in turn. will
report to the Governor. and IN due time the
public will know all there is to be known
of the matter"
Mrs. Charles Nelson. president of the
CrOcker Old Peoples Home, when seen at
the Institution yesterday afternoon by
CALL reporter, was very emphatic in
throwing the blame of all the present
trouble ON the late superintendent.
1T was Mr.. Edwards influence that in
duced j. Bur to send to Sacramento, re-
Questlng to know whether his name was
on the list of State pensioners" she said
Indignantly.
"And was it there.?" asked the reporter.
IL don't believe it was; but in order that
there may be no mistake we will consul t
the books"
Obediently to the presidents request,
Secretary Alexander Inspected the ponder
Gus tones, and discovered that P. Bur's
name was not among those sent TO Sacra-
mentO the last term. 1t had figured OIL the
TWO previous lists, however. so the Rev.
Rodney Edwards suggestion had cot been
very wide of the mark. When questioned
later respecting the reason for P. Bur's
name not going To Sacramento the last
term, Secretary Alexander said: 'It was
removed by the request of Mrs. Nelson.
she heard Mr.. Bur was making complaint
and did not desire any dissatisfaction"
Speaking of the discussion respecting
State aid, Mrs. Nelson remarked: Il was
sick and could not take any action in the
matter when this came up. My husband.
Captain Nelson, went TO Sacramento two
days ago. The board of examiners had
not taken any action whatsoever, and
can state that it will not do so. 1t
asked IL Z. Bur had been charged State
aid. and seemed to think there was moth
ing in that To make fuss about. AS long
as the State is willing to give it to us l
don't see why we could not have State aid
as we'll as any one else"
There seemed TO be no hesitation in the
presidents mind as to the fact that an in
vestigaton would not be made from Sac
rsmento.
"AI the questions that were asked my
husband answered satisfactorily" she
stated, no action has been taken and, as
lar as L know, none will be-.
This confidence, however. did not seem
TO be very we'll founded, for soon after .
o'clock yesterday two gentlemen from the
Controllers office at Sacramento visited
the home, and being graciousiy received
by the president were promptly hustled off
to the boardroom. For over an hour they
were cIoSeted with Mrs. Nelson, no out
sders being admitted TO the conference
Even Secretary Alexander was not per-
mitted TO hear or know word of the
proceedings.
"All l can state about it is that they have
not sent for the books, so l presume there
is no investigation going forward at pres
ent, said the secretary.
When seen after the meeting Mrs. Mel
son was extremely reticent "There was
absolutely nothing done," she said II
can state again that il was not an investi-
CATION. Yes, the gentlemen certainly
came from the Controllers office at Sacra-
mento. but l say again that their coming
did not partake of the nature of an inves-
tigation. and that there is none pending"
and then Mrs. Nelson, who was suffering g
from neuralgia. declared her inability 10
talk further.
The secretary, however, was rather
anxious to speak upon one point. 1T has
been stated" he said. that Rev. Rodney
Edwards could not make the sums charged
for State aid come up to the amount that
did. The fact was that Edwards did not
iSure it out on right basis in his interpre-
tation of the law. l certainly wanted to
interpret it as literally as possible for the
home. and at the same time keep within
the letter of the law. 1t is incorrect,
though. to state that | had way of fig
urinU il ont IN suit NV 0un kc0p vaD1 n.