The morning call., 1893-06-04
VETERANS WOES.
Now 1t Is the Secretary
Who Must Go.
MINUTES IN A nUDDLE.
The rIontfly Meeting of the Yount-
vile Homes Directors Fruitful
of Trials and TribulationS.

'Don't try to make any explanations.
We see very we'll you have not written up
your minutes. Read them as they are"
That was what Captain George II.
Stevens of the Veterans Home Directory
whose, minutes were not quite in the order
they should have beer.
1t developed later from remarks made
by the directors that the secretary had his
resignation written out and ready for pre-
sentation to the board. However, they
went on with their routine. work until
nearly midnight and yet the resignation
was not pre- ented.
have been elected Colonel Roekwell's
successor, for a majority of thee directors
present were ready to vote for MIN. Whit
temore was fol- a time a student at West
Point, and for many years served as a
clerk In the quartermastei' office of the
United States army on New Montgomery
street.
He is grandson of Commodore Sloat
who, on the 9Th of july, 1876, hoisted the
American flag at Monterey and foresta lied
the British Admiral Seymour in the cap
ture of California.
One Of the directors. asked about the
matter, said that the board had been more
all positions than any other body ever in
California.
There is Royce in Jail for embezzle-
ment; the last commandant we had TO
dismiss. and several before him gave US a
great deal Of trouble; and now the secre-
tary's minutes are never in shape. But 1t
is largely due to our own carelesSness.
We are men engaged in various pursuits
and do our work Tor the Veterans Home
purely out OF patriotism and without re-
ward, but We have been altogether too
careless"
After the minutes were read. in re-
Spouse to motion made al the last meet
ing asking W. II. Jordan to explain how it
came that he acted as attorney both for
the board and for Steen in the case of
Steen VS.. Hendy. in which Royce
was interested with the plaintiff, that
gentleman explained to the satisfaction of
the board that he had taken up Stems
case simply 10 prevent ii going into the
hands OF Royce and John Rathj b, who
held an ASST ,nment of it from Royce.
II have never been really employed by
Steen, ana have never received any re-
timer from him. l learned that Royce
had claim of one-half in this case of
Sieen VS.. Hendy. / entered the case to o b.
tain Tor the board whatever might be
Obtained for Royce over Rathiebs claim.
The suit involves some 100000 or
S300,000. The association has an alta CHI
ment on all Royce's property. Royce and
RathJeb are in together IN the matter, and
my Stepping in was only in the interest Of
the Veterans Home Association"
The old question of the Chlnaman en-
pIoyed at this State institution, in viola
ton o the law, came up again. and it was
finally decided TO pay him $50 and fire him
out. But the members explained very
carefully that they were not responsible
for his employment and voted this money
simply 10 get rid Of the heather and not
because they owed it.
The question of taking charge of the
pensions paid the inmates of the home at
YouDtville and keeping it for them in stead
OF allowing them 40 blow them In quar-
terly at the "Canteen" or the "widow's'
came up, and the resolutions in favor of it
were lost by a vote that stood even until
the chairman voted.
ttorney-General Hart and other direc-
tors were averse to taking up any more re-
sponsiblities just now that they were in
such bad odor from the wrongful acts of
their treasurer and misconduct and care
lessness of the directors.