The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-16
The Committee on Elections Reports Oh
Several Contests.
SENATE DEBATES The DUPONT CASE
In the House Representative Blue, of Kan
sas, Preeipitates a Heated Discussion
of the Board of Managers of the
National Soldiers Home.

Fourth Alabama district, and they were
ordered printed.
Mr.. Bell (DemocraD, Of Texas, called
mp the unanimous report Of Elections
Committee No. 3, in the case OF Moor
man VS.. Latimer, from the Third district
OF South Carolina, recommending the
adoption of resolutions declaring Moor
man CRepubliean) not elected. and Lati-
mer (DemocraU elected. and entitled to
the seat held by him. The report was
agreed to. and the resolutions adopted.
THE SOLDIERS HOMES.
After an hour spent in considering pri-
vate bills, Mr.. Hull Republlcan). OF Iowa,
called up the joint resolution providing
for the election Of four governors Of the
| board in charge OF the National Soldiers
| Homes to succeed those whose terms
! expire the present month. The resolution
| included Gen. w. +. Franklin. OF Con-
necticut, TO succeed himseh General T.
| J. Henderson. OF Illinois. TO succeed Cen
eral John c. Black; General George W.
/ Steele. Of Indiana, to succeed himself,
and General George l.. Beal, OF Maine, 10
succeed Francis fessenden.
Mr. HUI said that Mr.. Blue Republl-
| resolution, and endeavored 20 come 10
some understanding with him regarding
| the limit Of debate. Mr. Blue holding
| aloft bundle of papers, said he held in
| his hand a number OF affidavits, charging
| General Franklin and the man Smith.
governor of the Soldiers Home at Leav-
enworth. for whom he was responsible.
with brutal and oppressive treatment OF
| the inmates OF the Leavenworth Home.
! He thought that the House would hear
what he had TO say in behalf OF the
two tousand Kansos veterans incar-
cerated in that home.
Ar. Hull had suggested that the de-
bate be limited TO two hours but after
Mr. Blues statement, he said th.t he
would consent that II go on without
| limitation at present.
Before beginning the discussion, Mr..
Blue moved that the name of General
| Franklin be struck out OF the joint reso-
| luton and that of that splendid soldier
and noble Christian, General Q. q. How
ard" be inserted. lie had read por-
| ton OF Senator Plumb's remarks In the
Senate six years ago, in which he advised
that no man be reelected as a member
Of the Board of Managers after having
served a full term of six years. lie lhen
called attention to the fact that General
| Franklin had virtually become the Board
/ of Managers. and stated that II he were
I'm that place when General Franklin
/ form had expired, he would insist that lie
he retired I'm favor Of some other man.
The condition which senator Plumb de-
scrihed six wears ago, said Mr.. Blue had
become intensified, and now. even n0'e
| than then. was General frahkHh 'hs
| dominating spirit Of the board IL ndu
been charged he said, that MS oPpos,.'o''
uHGn
,,oreonal grounds: this he denied sayihs
- hJs fyht against them was born OF
dosira only To relieve men from the
'.oseion Of the drunken and prutai
Sl'.-,o,. and secure for them such tred'
80. -, sbould be accorded 10 mIn Wno
.n lirn' +ho,,- hest services In defence OF thelr
o,,ntrv And he proposed ne i- salu, ~ ~
oou,.,, 49, the facts. let the consequences DC
what they might ..,,,r,r
pOIrGH ON SMITH.
Ct Rep) of Indiana: Does
III -,Io,,on saw that Governor Snillh
Sas ' been drunk within the past 'iiee
yearS yGr Blue: Drunk? Yes, a hundred
'iii NJ steele: "It is my understanding
that he Is the head of the Na,i0hal ne Ne
lev League. elected at HarrisDurs last
'I Nr Blue: Eyes. for profit. lie re-
ooi,.es 81 2OO a year as head Of the League
ond that IS not all he receives.
NJ. steele: "If Governor Smith Is a
ar,,ruard dent know 1t. L thihk i
monId know il and | do not believe II.
Mr.. Blue: IF what the gentleman uOes
not know about these natlonal MONIES was
nut into a book, II would make d larse
i-oIunre. He's gorged with mlslnloriha-
ton" =. 10, ,.o,o,,,od
,-or,, Ex-Governor George T. Anthony, OF
Kansas referring TO one he (AnthonO
bad written 10 General Curtis, member
~ the Committee on Military AHalrs, III
which he protested against the re-electlon
of General Franklin. as member OF the
BOARD OF Managers because IL was
through his CFranklin's) influence that
smith was retained as Governor or the
Leavenworth home. Smltns adnhhis-
,ration. the letter claimed. had been ac-
connanied by scandals and that Smith
was unfit for the position for several
reasons This letter Mr.. Blue SAID, ne
had been informed, General Curtis had
not mentioned 10 any member OF the
Committee Oh Military Affairs. III he
was mistaken he should be glad TO be
corrected.
General Curtis, Rep.). OF New York.
responding 70 the challenge. said he
would. in his own time, do justice TO
Governor Anthony. and to others also.
He declined answer TO Mr.. Blues ques-
ton as to whether or not he had in
formed members OF the committee OF
Governor Anthony's letter
KANSAS PROHIBITION.
Mr.. Blue then read afidavits. letters.
and kilograms, approving his fight against
Franklin and Smith. and to show that
Smith was at the present time, or the
very recent past, indulging in intoxicat-
ing liquors. Some OF these were from
members Of the home. who requested that
their names be not used. They would
be discharged from the home, they said.
Mr.. Steele asked if these a1ldavits
were not made by former inmates who
had been discharged.
Mr.. Blue replied that he dld not know
as 10 all, bur as to several which he had
read they were not: they were by men
who had never been in the home.
Mr. Talbert Dem.). Of South Carolina:
II thought / had read somewhere that
Kansas was a prohibition State"
Mr.. Blue: 80 il Is outside the mill
tary reservation" Uaughter)
Mr. Blue read from the report OF the
Inspector-General,w which showed that the
beer saloon In the home paid profit In
the last fiscal year Of over $4,000.
Replying 10 question as to whether he
had any charge to make against General
Franklin's personal character. Mr.. Blue
said that Franklin was either grossly
negligent. Incompetent or not honest,
and that he had In his hands Govern
ment funds that ought TO be paid over
TO the Treasury. In connection with this
rata nj Nfr