The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-04-23
WEDNESDAY,. April. IL

In the Senate Mr. Elkins introduced a bill
providing for the construction of the Mary.
land and Delaware free ship canal The
bill is about the same measure that was in.
PRODUCED in the 4Sth Congress and favorahly
reported. il authorizes the Secretary Of War
20 lay out and construct a canal through the
States OF Maryland and Delaware 10 connect by
the most practicable and convenient route the
waters Of the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays.
Mr.. Sewell IN. j., Il. } reported from the Com
mittee on Military Affairs and asked immedi-
ate consideration for a bill authorizing the
President to give brevets in the Regular ARMY
without pay 10 the ofiicers-wh o served in the
volunteer forces.
Mr.. Allen (Neb.. P) wanted the measure
broadened TO include honorary brevets to nom
commissioned officers and privates and, falling
IN this. objected to the bill, and it went over.
In the House, there was q lively time over
the resolution from the Committee on Military
Affairs for the appointment of Gen. w. r.
Franklin, OF Connecticut; Thomas J. Header-
son. OF Illinois; George i. Beal of Maine and
George w. Steele. OF Indiana as members of
the Board OF Managers of the National Home
for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. Gen Frank
lin and Mr.. Steele were TO succeed themselves
Gen. Henderson to succeed Gen J. C. BLACK
and Mr. Beal TO succeed Francis Fessendep.
Mr.. Blue Kan. r. who has on several recent
occasions severely criticised Cen Franklin
said he held in his hand charges against Gen.
Franklin and Smith, the latter the manager Of
the Leayenworth Home, for whom the former
was responsible for cruel and brutal treatment
Of the inmates Of the Home at Leayenworth.
Kan, where he said 1000 soldiers were TODAY
practically incarceraed. lie proposed to offer
an amendment TO substitute the name Of that
gallant soldier, Gen. 0. o. Howard" for that of
Gen. franklin.
lie wanted 10 free the Leavenworth Home
. -
bead OF that institution.
DO you know he has been drank?n asked
Mr.. Steele, member Of the Board
90, vomiting: pulling drunk, and will
produce the proof"
Is lie not at tho head Of a Kceley orgauiza.
tioni" inquired Mr.. Steele.
lie is" replied Mr. Blue. "at s.. 200 a
year"
do not believe he was drunk. said Mr.
Steele 1'-'1 -"'
= The gentleman" replied Mr. g!ue rom
tempiuonsly, Is gorged with misinfermation
regarding these Homes" Continuing. Mr..
Blue had read several letters criticising Gen.
trankIin and Gov. Smith, one Of them alleging
that Gov. Smith was not only drunkard but
corrupt man. Mr. Blue said he had letters
from inmates Of the Leavenworth Home who
u Their names were known. would be driven 10
the road tay Gov. Smith. lie read a telegram
from =. }. Anderson and others urging him TO
Dght Heh. tranklin's reappointment and tell
ing BIN that 10000 soldiers in Kansas were be-
hind him. Another letter, read by him. said
that the writer had enough evidence to hang
Smith.
hr. Blue concluded his array OF testimony
by reading an affidavit from an inmate of the
Leayenworth Home, charging Gov Smith
win drunkenness, cruelty aud gross favorit-
ism.
The affidavit described how on one occasion
The Governor was so drunk that he went up
stairs on all-iours. Meeting the afiant he
SAID Bob, the Governor is very, very drunk
tonight"
!" i charge" said Mr. Blue, with great de.
liberation aud emphasis, THAT the Inspectors
reports show that Gen. Franklin is either
grossly negligent and incompetent. or that he
~ not honest. lie knows of these beer saloons.
ne knows OF Smiths conduct, and If these re-
ports are true he holds in HE hands ia violation
Of law, trust funds that should have been turned
into the general fund. For years. he con
tinueds he was General Treasurer OF the
Home. When the law prevented him from
continuing in that capacity. be picked us some
one, a man Friday, aud put him In as General
Treasurer" Mr. Blue charged that the in.
spectors reports showed that balances had
been forced"
: DO you charge misconduct against any
other member OF members Of the Board? 2"
asked Mr. Hill.
NOt at present" responded Mr. Blue.
Mr. Blue also read an affidavit charging that
contract existed whereby the Kelley cure
was given TO inmates for S., while they were
charged $50 What became OF the difference,
tic ailant said, he did not know.
In reply to question Of Mr.. GrOsvcnor Mr..
Blue admitted that the evidence presented was
eS parie Some Of it, be said, had been SUBJ
united TO the Board Of Managers.
Mr.. Bluc said the Inspectors reports would
prove that the Board Of Managers was a private
corporation, holding Government property in
1ts own name aud buying and selling ri IFS own
sweet will. In concluding his afraignIaent !
mir. Blue charged that under Franklin's man.
agement last year $4,000 OF Government
property had been condemned or DESTROYED
and that the Board had last year made trip
TO the ST Monica Home at cost of Sc 600.
Mr.. Curtis IN. " replied to Mr. Blue in
9lm and temperate speech. He asked the