The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1896-04-18
An Attack Upon Governor Smith by
Representative Blue Will start
an Investigations.

Mr. Hull of Iowa, chairman Of the COM
Mittee ON military affairs, called up the
resolution for the appointment of Will
Mann Il. Franklin of Connecticut, Thomas
!. Henderson of Illinois. George l. Beale
Of Maine and George w. Steele Of lndi-
ana as members of the board of managers
Of the national soldiers homie.
Mr.. Blue Of Kansas. who has on several
recent occasions severely criticised Gen
sral Franklin. asked two hours to discuss
She resolution. He said he held in his
hand charges against General Franklin
and Governor Smith, the manager of the
x.eayenworth home, for whom the former
was responsible for cruel and brutal
treatment of the inmates of the home at
14eavenwOrth, Kan. where he said 1000
soldiers were today practically incarcer-
ated
He proposed to offer amendment to
substitute the name of that gallant SOL
der. General Q. O. Howard" for that of
General Franklin.
A1r. Hull declined to make any conces-
stOns as to the time and Mr. Blue opened
his attack His purpose, said he, was to
aree the IeavenWorth home from the
drunken and brutal man now at it's head.
''Do YOU know he has been drunk?'
asked Mr.. Steele, a member OF the board.
l.
will produce the proof"
SIS he not at the head of the Kelley or
xanization?" inquired Mr. Steele.
'He u.s." replied Mr.. Blue, "at $500
year.
II do not believe ne was drunk" said
MIR. Steele
1.-The gentleman" replied Mr.. Blue, CON
aemptuously, sis gorged with nlisinfor1na-
hon regarding these homes
Continuing. Mr.. Blue had read several
aetters criticising General Franklin and
Governor Smith, one Of them alleging that
Governor Smith was not only a drunkard,
aut a corrupt man.
Mr.. Blue said he had letters from in
mates Of the Leavenworth home, who If
aheir names were known, would be driv-
en- to the road by Governor Smith He
read u telegram from +. j. Anderson and
4thers, urging him to fight General Frank
Mn's appointment, and telling him that
8e.OOO soldiers in Kansas were behind him.
Another letter read by him said that the
writer had enough evidence to hang
Smith,
Mr. Blue concluded his array of testi-
cnOny by reading an affidavit from an in
mate of the Leavenworth home, charging
Gov. Smith with drunkenness, cruelty and
zavOritism. He claimed that Governor
Smith: maintained the biggest saloon in
Kansas under the shadow of the flag the
soldiers fought to save.
"Have you any charges to make against
the personal character of General Frank
hn?" asked MIR. Hill of Connecticut
IL charge" replied Mr.. Blue, "that the
Inspectors reports show that General
Franklin is either grossly negligent and
Ancempetent or that he is not honest He
knows of these beer saloons; he knows OF
Smiths conduct. and il the reports are
krue, he holds in his hands, in violation
- the law. trust funds that should have
been turned into the general fund.-
MIR. Blue said the inspectors reports
would prove that the board of managers
mas private corporation holding gov
eFnment property in it's own name and
amying and selling at it's own sweet will
In concluding his arraignment Mr.
niue charged that under Franklin's man
agement last year $25oO0o of government
property had been condemne6t or destroy
"a, and that the board had last year made
. trip to the Santa Monica, Cal, home at
q cost of $1,000. He concluded with the
statement that as long as he had place
en the floor he would defend his COM
rades against the brutality of the con-
&Amptible man at the head of the Leay-
enworth home.
MIR. Curtis of New York replied to Mr.
Dlue in a calm and temperate speech. He
asked the house to consider the charges
pFeferred against General Franklin, the
president Of the board of managers, and
Governor Smith. The charges, he said,
were old. They had been Investigated,