Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-16
DEFENDING GEN. FRANKLIN
Representatives Resent the Charges Brought
by Mr.. Blue.
Mr.. Steele, a Member of the Board
Says the Charges Have Been
Investigated.

In the House yesterday afternoon after
the close of Mr.. Blues assault upon Gen.
Franklin, Gen. Curtis paid a magnificent
personal tribute to Gen. Franklin. He had
been his friend since the early days of the
war, and he spoke of his old preceptor in
the art of war in terms of love and devo-
ton.
Mr.. Steele Qnd.), a member of the board
of managers, made IN impressive defense
of the board. Mr.. Blues statement that
what he did not know about the soldiers
home would fill book he said, was true,
although he had been an active member of
the board for four years.
But" he continued, what / know about
such charges as brought in here would
FIJI a library. Every member of the board
is deluged with that kind of literature, and
l can assure the House that all these
charges are carefully investigated from
time to time by subcommittee of the
board" He eulogized the work of the
homes, which since their establishment had
cared for 1900 soldiers and had expended
Si0,oOO,OpO without the loss of farthing
Inc Kelley League, he said, was formed
In 1872. Over 300 soldiers had taken the
cure, and there had been only thirteen
lapses. He denied that any one was forced
to take the cure. He had read a telegram
from Gov. Morrill, of Kansas, indorsing the
management of the Leavenworth home, and
ganiZation of the Kelley League at that
nome He also had read a telegram from
reputable citizens of Leavenworth.
AT the proper time" interjected Mr.
Blue, Il will show the motive of those tel
egrams, including that of the governor of
Kansas. Gen. Curtis said that all the
charges against Gov. Smith had been in
vestigated," he continued. Has the charge
inveStigated?'
Perhaps not" replied Mr.. Steele; "but,
Judging from the character of the wit
nesses and testimony he brings here, 1t
would require a great deal of additional
and better testimony to induce me to be-
lieve in the truth of such a charge as
that"
Have you heard that a bad state of af-
Ialrs exists at the Togus Homer" asked
Mr.. Blue.
Il have heard Of nothing that has not
been investigated" replied Mr.. Steele"
Investigated by whom"
by the board"
With regard to the charge that post
buildings were insured in companies in
which Gen. Franklin was interested, Mr..
steele said that post buildings were in
sured to the amount of s199, 600 There
were seventytwo policies; of them five
We're in companies in which Gen. Franklin
had an insignificant interest
DO you, as member of the board" in
CURED Mr. Walker (Mass.), Intend to
keep governor of the Leavenworth
home a man who was drunk all during the
war. and is now in the habit of getting
drunk?'
Mr.. Steele replied that as a member of
the board he would vote to GUST Smith if
proof were adduced that he had been
drunk
At this point Mr.. Poole On. W, who was
one of Col. Smiths comrades during the
war, frequently, he said, sleeping under the
same blanket and drinking out of the same
caDteen with him, gave his personal esti-
mate of him a soldier and man. He
denied most emphatically that Col. Smith
was ever drunk during the war, and paid a
high tribute to his bravery as soldier and
ability a man.
Mr.. Mahon Pa.) moved to amend the
resolution so as to provide for Joint COM
mittee of the House and Senate to investi-
gate the charges against Col Smith
Mr.. Henry Comm said a few words in
eulogy Of Gen. Franklin.