Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-16
In CONGRESS TODAY
Debate on the Soldiers Home Mar
ayers Resumed.
GEN. GROSVbNOR DEFENDS FRANKLIN
Further Talk About an Investigat-
ing Committee.
IN n n @ T.
GROSVENOR DEFENDS FRANKLIN
T H E DU PO n T G A S e

the JUDICIARY committee, asked ana Secur-
ed consent for the consideration of the
day of next week
AS the Speaker was attempting to OBJ
tain order that the debate on the resou-
tion for the appointment of members of
the board of managers Of the National Sol
diers Home might proceed, Mr.. Boutelle
Me), who was conversing with a fellow
member, jumped to his feet and resented
rather warmly the remarks of the Speaker,
which he thought We're directed at him.
Speaker Reed disclaimed any purpose of
singing out any particular member. He
had as an individual, he said. not the.
slightest desire to call members to order.
The difficulty was he said, that each gen
tleman while conversing thought ne made
no noise. In justice to the members ad-
dressing tie House order ought to be pre-
served.
The Soldiers Home Managers.
Mr.. Tracey (Mo) then took the floor in
opposition to the reappointment of Gen.
Franklin as a member of the board of gov
ernors CT the national soldiers homes.
Mr.. Tracey had read a letter from E. b.
Dean OF Ironton Ohio. describing the burial
given soldiers at the homes, burials, the
writer said, inferior to those of paupers.
Mr.. Mahon Pa) declared that he would
not vote to strike down Gen. Franklin or
any other man on parte testimony, but
he urged the adoption of his amendment
to investigate the charges against Gov.
Smith of the Leavenworth home, with in
structions to the hoard to dismiss him if
they are substantiated.
Mr.. Blue said that Mr. Mahons amend
ment would make the Senate party to the
investigation, and he insisted that any
invest stigation in which the Senate had "a
hand would be roaring farce.
Mr.. Grosvenor tOhio) supported the rec
or1mendation Of the military affairs com
mittee. He regretted that eX parte teSti-
mOny. scandalous in its character. had been
brought into the House, assailing the man
agement of q great national institution.
He deSpised eX parte assaults and scandal
mongers.
Experience as lawyer and his observa
tions as man taught him that such tes-
timony was not true. He had been for
nine years a member of the board of Day
ton Home. The same sort of charges were
preferred by discharged employees AMI
disappointed inmates They were inves
tigated and found to be without a shadow
Of foundation. There was, IN his opinion,
not shadow of suspicion on Gen. Frank
Inns character. He read a telegram just
received from ex-Gov. Buckley Of Connec
ticut addressed to Mr. Hill, saying:
Gen. Franklin stands here for all that
is most honorable. The community. ire
srective of party, will appreciate all you
can do to refute the slanderous attack on
his character"
nett of Cleveland "a member Of the board,
commending Gen. Franklin in the highest
terms. AS for Gen. Howard, he desired to
say he had the greatest affection for the
CID soldier, but he could point out in the
record of the House ex-parte charges
against Gen. Howard before which all
that had been said against Gen. Franklin
would pale into insignificance. He had
every species of outrage. II did not be-
lieve them,' said Mr. Grosvenor, but l
think Gen. Howard is utterly unfit for all
public duty exccDt soldering and lecturing
man who drew a sword in war and unap-
proachable in peace, and Gen. Howard I
will vote for the former"
He knew E. b. Dean. whose letter had
been referred to. and he knowing the con-
dition of the Dayton home he did not be-
lieve word of it.
Opposed Gen. Franklin.
pontment OF Gen. Franklin. Mr. Ray (N.
Y) asked why Mr. Blue had not presented
his charges to the board of managers.
Because the gentleman from Kansas Is
not an ass" replied Mr.. Hepburn. ut
would be an ass who would present to a
court Tor trial charges against that court y
Mr.. Ray On, y defended Gen Franklin.
while Mr.. Kirkpatrick urged that the selec-
ton of tie successor of Gen. Franklin he
postponed until the short session.
THE SENATE.
Mr. Morrill, Vt) was recognized soon
after the Senate opened today for a speech
urging additional quarters for the National
Museum. Although just past his eighty
sixth birthday, the Senator spoke with firm
voice and vigorous style. He declared that
the museum was no dime museum" dis
playing grotesque curiosities and freaks to
visitors, but was branch of the scientific
and educational establishment of the
country.
MIR. Gray Resumes.
Mr. Gray Oel) then resumed his speech
in opposition to the claim of Mr. Du Pont
to seat in the Senate.
He argued that it was the exclusive right
of the legislature of Delaware to determine
as to the right of Acting Gov. Watson to sit
in the legislature, and that any adjudica-
ton by the United States Senate would be
an invasion of the rights of the state and
reversal of hundred years of precedent
Mr.. PETERS Bond Resolution.
Mr.. Gray closed at 2:15 pm, and Mr.
PETER was Immediately on his feet, asking
that the agreement to take up the bond
resolution be executed. Mr.. Villas Wis
interposed with the suggestion that the
unfinished business could not be set aside.
M. PETER asserted that this would
amount to a breach of the unanimous con-
sent of the Senate.
Will the Senator not watt asked Mr..
Cullom, until the Indian appropriation bill
Is disposed OFF,
NO" responded Mr.. PETER, emphati-
cally, II can give way to nothing
1T seems to me-" proceeded Mr.. Cullom,
that If Congress expects to get through
and get away this summer, the appropria-
ton bills must be disposed of speedily
''Oh, there will be ample time for appro-
priation bills" answered Mr.. Peffer; 1.-The
whole summer is before Us. Our salaries
are paid, and we might as well stay here
and attend to business"
Unfinished Business Urged.
Mr.. Platt (Conn.) and Mr.. Hale (Me)
urged that unfinished business-a Utah In
dian resolution-could not be displaced even
by unanimous consent agreement.
And in this connection added Mr..
Hale II intend to test the sense Of the
Senate whenever an effort is made to In
terpCse these questions ahead of appro-
priation bills. 1 believe we should conclude
our work and adjourn at the earliest day
possible" .-....-..,.....'
The temporary prsiding officer Mr.