The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1895-09-06
WHITEwASH GALORE!
no THE LEAvENwoRTH TIMEs.l
NATIONAL MILITARY HOME, Aug. II

A>AlIONaL hILiIAh1 HUME. aug ~
Some weeks ago your Topeka cor
respondent in an article Oh the system
of management of the Kansas State
institutions referred to the death of
All old soldier in the Insane Asylum at
Ossawatomie, and the reports that
his death was caused by cruel and bar
barous treatment. 1t naturally crea-
ed much excitement, especially among
the old veterans. The deceased, NJ.
NJ. Young, has two brothers, ROZelle
Young, now here at the Soldiers
Home, and VIM NJ. Young, of Cot
tonWood Falls. All three brothers
were members of the G. A. r. The
two brothers, Oh hearing that their
brothers death was caused by brutal
treatment, wanted the matter invest-
gated and the guilty parties punished
Application was made to Gov. Morrill,,
but at that time, so far as can be
learned, he paid no attention to it.
The Young brothers then applied to
Hon. j. II. Harris, Department Com
mander of the G. A. r., and to their
former Post Commander, Hon. F. z.
Cochran, ex-cOunty attorney of Chase
caunty. Cochran wrote an urgent
letter to Harris, received favorable
reply, and they were looking up the
proper manner of procedure. Other
influential members of the order were
discussing and preparing to move in
the matter when they were astonisEed
by reading in the Topeka Capital
statement by the president and secre-
tary of the state board of charitable
institutions that All Investigation had
been held and that the asylum officers
attendants and everybody else had
been completely eXonerated The eX-
ent, manner and spirit OF this inves-
igatlOn may be imagined from the
fact that neither the Young brothers,
MI. Cochran nor any friend of the
deceased was notified or had any inti-
nation that the inquiry was to be
held; and us far us can be learned
not a single witness who knew any
thing relating to the manner of
Young's death was examined. The
people of Ossawatomie and Miami
county, Cot.Gde of the asylum, officers
and their friends. were in entire ignor-
ance of the proceedings.
The secret of the matter is that
Hays, the steward, political boss and
general manager of the asylum, is a
chum OF Cy Leland and member of
the State central committee. Conse
quently, they had nothing to fear from
Morrill,. But the movement in the
hands of the Army looked dangerous,
and it was to forestall and prevent
their action that this farcical investi-
CATION was made.
Hays simply made requisltion on
Governor and the board for ii liberal
coat of whitewash, and it was applied
ad-nauSeam, without even the SEM
bIance of propriety or decency.
The object of the G. A. r. comrades
was not only to investigate this case
but to tly to ameliorate the condition
of, and secure better treatment for
about 100 old soldiers now in the in
sane asylums of the state. The G. A.
Il. men are now in a position that
they can do nothing without appear
ing to enter into an anti adminlstra-
ton squabble, and before going before
a board that has already decided the
matter, and asking the board to stul-
tify itself.
In the meantime these asylum Off
GERS against whom serious charges
have been made all over the State can
point to the report of this committee,
wrap themselves in the party flag, and
snap their fingers at the old soldier
and the people of Kansas.
OLD SOLDIER.