The herald., 1896-04-16
IN THE HOUSE
soIdiers' Home Management Comes In for
Bitter Criticism

WASHINGTON, April 1.-THE re-
port of the elections committee on the
case Of Gordon VS.. Latimer, third dis
trict of South Carolina, in favor of the
sitting member was adopted by the
house without division.
Mr.. Hull Republican, of Iowa, chair
man of the committee on military af-
fairs, called up resolution for the ap-
poinment of William B. Franklin of
Connecticut, Thomas ]. Henderson of
Illinois. George w. Steele of Indiana,
as members of the board of managers Of
the national soldiers homes.
Mr.. Blue, Republican. of Kansas, who
has on several recent occasions severely
criticised Gen. Franklin, at once asked
three hours to discuss the resolution.
He said he held in his hand (fiourishing
lot OF papers) charges against Gen.
Franklin and Smith, the manager of the
Leavenworth home, for whom the form
er was respensibles for ersel and brutal
treatment of the1nmates Of the home at
Leaverlworth, Kas., where he said 200O
soldiers were today practically incarcer-
ated. He proposed to offer an amend
nent to substitute the name of that
gallant soldier, o. o. Howard" for that
of Gen. Franklin.
Mr.. Hull declined to make any con-
cession as to the time. and Mr.. Blne,
opened his attack. His purpose, he said
was to free the Leavenworth home
from the drunken and brutal man now
at it's head
DO you know he has been drunk"
asked Mr.. Steel, member of the board
II do-vomiting, puking drunk-and
I will produce the proof"
"Is he not at the head Of Kelley or
ganization?" inquired Mr.. Steel.
HE is" replied Mr.. Blue. "at $1,000 q
year"
IT do not believe he was drunk" said
Mr.. Steel.
1.-The gentleman" replied Mr.. Blue
contemptuously. "is gorged with misin-
formation regarding these homes"
Continuing, Mr.. Blue read several let
ters criticising Gen. Franklin and Gov.
Smith, one Of them alleging that Gov.
Smith was not only a drunkard, but a
corrupt man.
He concluded his array of testimony
by reading an affidavit from an inmate
OF the Leavenworth home charging Gov.
Smith with drunkenness.> cruelty and
great favoritism. He claimed that Gov
Smith maintained the biggest saloon in
Kansas under the shadow of the flag the
soldiers fought to save. Last year, he
said, the profits of the beer hall alone
were $4,000. That saloon, he said, was
run by the man who was Che head of the
Kelley league.
Have you any charges to make
against the personal character of Gen.
Franklin" asked Mr.. Hill, Republican,
of Connecticut.
II Charge replied Mr.. Blue, with
great deliberation and emphasis, that
the inspectors reports show that Gen.
Franklin is either grossly negligent and
incompetent, or that he is not honest.
He knows of these beer saloons; he
knows of Smiths conduct, and IL the
reports are true he holds in his hands,
in violation of the law, trust funds that
should have been turned into the gen.
eral fund.-
Mr.. Blue also read an affidavit charg-
ing that contract existed whereby the
keeley cure was to be given to some
inmates for $6, while others were charg-
ed $50. What became of the difference
the afIiant, said he, did not know.
Had not the board made an investi-
CATION of Governor Smiths administra-
tion?" asked Mr.. Hill.
"An investigation made by the board
of managers" replied Mr.. Blue, "is a
dares to testify, and I charge here and
now that the investigation was made
for the purpose Of shielding Governor
Smith. 1t is an open secret" he con-
tinued, that committee on military af-
fairs voted five to four against Gen.
Franklin's reappointment: Then, by
some occult influence to which ! do not
care to refer, one of the members of
the committee was induced to change
his vote"
In concluding his arraignment. Mr..
Blue charged that under Franklin's
management last year $3.50, 900 of gov
ernment property had been condemned
or destroyed, and that the board had
last year made trip to the Santa Mon
lea, Cal, home at the cost of $4,000. He
appreciated, he said, all these subtle
and powerful influences at work to
keep Gen. Franklin on the board. He
reiterated and reaffirmed the charges
he had made and concluded with the
statement that as long as he had a
place on the floor he would defend his
comrades against the brutality of the
contemplate man at the head of the
Leavenworth home.
Mr.. Curtis (Rep. N. " replied to Mr.
Blue in a cain, and temperate speech.
The charges, he said. were old. They
had been investigated and the official
report did not substantiate them.
/ In conclusion MIR. Curtis paid a high
personal tribute to Gen, Franklin.
(, Mr.. Steel s(Rcp.. Ind. d member of the
board Of managers. made an Impress