The San Francisco call., 1896-03-06
Lyon Post Declares That De.
partment Commander Wilson
Is in Error.
HAS EXCEEDED HIS AUTHORITY
Deny That He Has Power to Order
an Inquiry Into Charges Against
the Directors.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL,
oOS Broadway March +

OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL
90S Broadway, March 5.
Lyon Post No. s, Grand Army of the Re-
public, has named as comm ittee to ap-
pear before the court of inquiry called by
Department Commander Wilson the fol.
lowing members: George A. Norton, COM
mander of Lyon Post; Senior Vice-Com-
mander Richardson, George S. Naismith,
G. Hoguet, Major E. w. Woodward, E. P.
Daniels, ]. B. Colquhoun, R. G. J. Adney
and John A. Robinson.
The committee met last night, with all
members present, when it was announced
that G. S. Naismith had declined to serve
SO that ex-Judge Gibson could be placed
on the committee. Judge Talcott and
General Thompson were also present.
The subject considered was the right
and authority of the department COM
nander to call court of inquiry to inves-
tigate the charges of malfeasance in office
against the board of directors of the SOL
diers' Home at Yountville. 1t was finally
decided to deny the right of the court to
inquire into the truth or falsity of the
charges, on the ground that the court of
inquiry was instituted without authority
of the rules in the G. A. r. Blue Book If
this should be overruled the committee
will insist on continuance to prepare
their side of the case.
The committee searched the Blue Book
through, but in vain, for authority dele
eating the department commander power
| to convene court OF inquiry to seek the
truth or falsity OF the charges in question.
These charges, it was shown, had been
made not against individuals as members
OF the order, but as managers of soldiers
home, supported in part by money con-
tributed by the State of California.
Attention was called to the fact that
the charges, which were based on allega-
tions and beliefs, closed with request
Tor the Governor to investigate and that
the u. a. h. annual encampment act on
proposition to turn the home over to the
State.
This being the case il is alleged that
Lyon Post has not offended against any
law OF the order and that the department
commander acted in an unwarranted man.
ner when he undertook to forestall the ac-
tion OF Governor Budd by instituting an
inquiry into the methods in which the
home has been conducted. In further
! support of their view of the case the men,
bers of Lyon Post say there is nothing to
| be gained by this illegal course, because
| Governor Budd has already signified his
Willingness to investigate, and it is be-
lieved will do SO as soon as he returns
| from the southern part of the State, which
| will be IN about ten days.
The haste with which it has been sought
to bring on this G. A. R. investigation has
caused the Lyon Post members to feel
| that it has done more with the view to
| crafty the wishes OF the members of
Thomas and Lincoln posts in San Fran
cisco than anything else. 1t is claimed
that these latter have intimated that Lyon
Post will be driven out OF the department..
Ii it is desire to try Lyon Post on a
! technical offense under the G. A. r. law
for publishing the charges referred to it is
! believed that there might be some ground
on which to make such point, but there
| is no such offense charged in the SUM-
/ mons.
Should such charge be made against
! Lyon Post, however, it is more than likely
| that a similar charge could and would
! be made against Lincoln and Thomas
! posts in San Francisco, from each of which
organization resolutions and other docu-
ments bearing on the subject have ap-
peared in the public prints. 1t was per-
| haps for this reason that Lyon Post was
not called to answer on that score.
The nearest approach made by Lyon
| Post to a direct charge against the
! G. A. r. or any of the order, it is said, is
| the expression of belief that Thomas
| Post Of San Francisco "has usurped the
|
had most of the commandants, all the
treasurers, all the secretaries coming from
the Grand Army and many other officials,
while posts that have labored faithfully
for the veterans have practically no voice
in the management of the home"
| But this charge is not referred to in the
summons either, and for that reason the
members of Lyon Post say that Thomas
Post does not want any further reference
to the charge, which it is alleged may
| be easily demonstrated to be the truth.
They say further that all they want is fair
| play.
| They claim this Is a matter in which all
! the people of the State, and not merely the
! friends of the directors of the Yountville
Home, are interested. The charges should
therefore be inquired into by State off,
cials--the Governor, or by disinterested
board which the Governor may name.
One of the most interested parties to the
| controversy went to Sacramento to-day to
see the Attorney General regarding the
State interests.
Two years ago General Barnes submitted
minority report ON the management of
the home to the State encampment that
created sensation, as it severely criticized
those in charge, but it was not accep ted.
"This report or any copy of it is not TO be
found now; they have all been called in, !"
said the general to-day in speaking of the