Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-16

they would be discharged from the nome
they said.
Mr. Steele asked Il these afiidavits were
not made by former inmates VINO n"'
been discharged.
Mr.. Blue replied that he did NOT hhow
as to all. but as 10 several which he h@a
read. they were not; they were py n'e"
who had never been In the home
PROHIBITION IN KANSAS,
Mr.. Taibert Democrat), OF South caro-
lima: / thought / had read somewhere
that Kansas was Prohibition state.
Mr. Blue: SO II In. outside the military
reservation. Q.aughter)
Mr.. Blue read from the report or tne
INSPECTOR General. which showed that tne
beer-saloon in the home paid n proht ia
the last fiscal year of over NS"D
Replying TO questions as to whether ne
had any charge to make against General
Franklin's personal character, Mr.. Blue
said that Franklin was either grossly
neglectful, incompetent, or not honest.
and that he had in his hands government
funds that ought to be paid over TO the
Treasury In connection with this last
statement. Mr.. Blue asserted that when
the Congress separated the Offices OF presl-
dent and treasurer OF tfe board, when
Franklin then held, ne Gsranklin) took UP
man named Friday. and made MIN
treasurer, and he (Fanklin) controlled
the funds of the board. as he Formerly
did.
Mr.. Morse. OF Massachusetts,. desired TO
know il the matters complained Of at the
home were not due to the existence or
beer-hall in connection with the insutu-
ton, and II this ought not first TO be shut
up.
yes: and what Is needed" exclaimed
Mr.. Blue, "is also TO shut up the mouth
of the beer-guzzler who presides over II.
Mr.. Blue continued at great length TO
assail the conduct OF General Franklin
reading a number OF aifsdayits In corrooo-
ration OF his assertions.
"As long as / stand here In my place"
MI. Blue said. II shall do all can to
defend my old comrades against the brti-
tally OF those wretches." (Applause)
DEFENCE OF FRANKLIN.
Mr.. Curtis. OF New York. reviewing
Mr.. Blues arraigument OF Governor
Smith, General Franklin. and. indirectly.
of the Board OF Managers. explained
that there was given . the selection OF
the new members all the dignity and de-
liberation that would attach to the cleo
ton OF the President OF the United states.
General Franklin, he said. had been
a a
The charges against him were old, and
had been thoroughly investigated. He
regretted that the report Of the officers
making the investigation had not been
| laid before the House.
General Steele Republicanl. OF Indi-
| ana, followed General Curtis He asked
II the House was to destroy the reputa-
tiOns OF as good soldiers as ever did
hattie for the Union--throw them TO the
winds. because Il would hear but ons
side OF a case. The gentleman from
| Kansas had said that what he (Steeh)
| did not know about the national homes
would fill n volume. That might be
| true. Mr.. Steele said. but what he dtd
know about the matters brought to the
| attention Of the House by Mr.. Blue
| would fill a library. All these charges
| had been investigated by the Board OF
| Managers and sub-cornmittees or the
| hoard. Governor Merrill was for three
| wears a member OF the board. and, az
| such. local manager OF the Leayenwortf
Home. Colonel Cooke. the present man
ager. has been a member for two years
These. with General Pierson, OF Penn
syIyania. had Investigated the charges e
the bottom and the Governor had beer
| vfndicated from them.
Mr.. Blue asked II there were no
charges against the home at Togus
Me-. representing a very serious condi
| ton Of things.
Mr.. steele: None that has not beer
refuted, or will be.
BEER SALOONS AND KELLEY CURE
While discussing the matter Of the bee;
saloons. or stores. at the homes, hr
Steele was asked By Mr.. Mines Repub
Icanl. OF Michigan. II Il were the pollcl
Of the managers 10 run a saloon at on
end OF the home and a Keeley cure a
the other.
Mfr. steele replied that It was the policl
TO manage the homes for the best in
terests OF the inmates. The practica
question was whether the homes shoulc
have the profits OF beer sales or th'
saloons outside. where the old soldel
was not only made drunk but robbed
The experience at Marion, his own home
showed that the policy OF letting th'
saloons outside have the trade was no
10 the advantage OF the home.
Mr.. Steele eulogized Major Birming
ham. the treasurer OF the board. and De
tended him from the charges made By
Mr Blue. He was capable and honest
and no man could truthfuliy assert to IN
contrary As 20 the charges that th'
buildings at the homes erected out o.
/ the beer money saved Dy tnc mel
were insured in a company OF which Gen
| erai Franklin was an officer. Mr.
Steele stated that there were In all upoI
these buildings seventy-two policies. Fiv'
were in two companies, OF which
General Franklin was 4 stockhoide--
both AT his home. Hartford. Conn. Mr.
Steele conceded that. in his opinion. Gen
eraI Franklin would be better man
he were a Republican. but that in IN
management OF the homes there was NJ
such thing as politics known.
Colonel Smiths ability and charaete
were defended by Mr. Poole Republiean)
of New York. and those OF Genera
Franklin by Mr. Henry (Republican), o
Connecticut. Nr. Mshon Republican,. o
Pennsylvania. offered an additional sec
ton 10 the joint resolution providing 70
an investigation Of the charges OF drunk
| enness and brutality against Colone
Smith by a joint congressional commits
| sion. and n the charges Be sustained I.
a majority Of that commission. the Boar
! OF Managers are directed 10 remove hin
from his position.
Mr.. Blue said he would reserve a pofn
Of order against that amendment.
On motion by Mr. Hull. the House. a
8 O'Clock. adjourned until tomorrow. al
, agreement having been reached betweel
him and Mr. Blue. that the vote on TN
folnt resolution should be taken at
o'clock.