The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-04-16
Congressman Blue, Of Kansas, Personal in
Remarks Referring to Gen. Franklin.
CALLED THE GENERAL A BEER GUzzLER.
The Election Of Four Governors of the
Board in Charge of the Soldiers
Homes the Subject or Debate The
Senate whiIes Away its Time ON
ahe Dupont Question.

pretty clear from an incidental remark in
the Senate to-day that the predictions
as to an early adjournment of Congress
are not likely to be verified. The slow
ly moving Dupont election case had
been taken up and Mr.. Gray (Dem)
OF Delaware, was in the act Of beginning
an argument against the right OF Mr..
Dupont, when the chairman OF the Com
mittee on Appropriations (Mr. Allison)
made an inquiry as to the time when the
election case would probably come to
u vote. Mr.. Mitchell (Rep). of Oregon,
chairman of the Committee on Privileges
and ELECTIONS, said there were al least
SIX more speeches to be made upon 1t,
and therefore he could fix no time for
"a vote. He consented, however. 10 let
the matter 60 over when MIR. Gray
should have finished his speech so as to
make way for the Indian, naval and APP
preparation bills. and Mr.. Peffer's reso-
luton for the investigation of the recent
bond issue.
MIR. Gray occupied three hours In the
presentation of the case against AIR. Du-
points claim to the vacant seat. and had
not finished his speech when the Senate
nt $3.50 adjourned until Tomorrow.
House.-Mr. Bartlett (Dem.), of Geor-
gia, reported the views of the minority
contested election case of Goodwin VS..
Cobb, from the Fifth Alabama district,
and they were ordered printed.
Mr. Bell (Dem), ogf Texas. called up
the unanimous report of Elections Com
mittee No. 5, in the case of Moorman VS.
Latimer, from the Third district of South
Carolina, recommending the adoption
of resolutiont declaring Ioorman (RepD
not elected, and Latimer Dem) elected
q n ha hal1 Nv, "a
The report was agreed to-
After an hour spent in considering pri-
vate pension bills, Mr.. Hull Rep), of
Iowa, called up the joint resolution pro-
viding 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 re-
solutions include General w. S. Frank
I'm, OF Connecticut. to succeed himself:
General II. j. Henderson, of Illinois, TO
succeed General John c. Black: General
George w. Steele, of Indiana TO sue
ceed himself; and General George L.
Beal, OF Maine. to succeed himself; and
General George J.. Beal OF Maine. to
succeed Francis Fessenden.
Mr.. Hull said that MIR. Blue (Rep) of
Kansas, desired to discuss the resolution
standing with him regarding the limit of
debate.
Mr.. Hull had suggested that the de-
bate be limited to two hours. but after
MT. Blue = statement, he said that lie
would consent that it go on without linn
itation at present
Before beginning the discussion, Mr..
Blue moved that the name of General
Franklin be struck from the iolnt reso-
luton and that of that splendid SOL
dier and noble Christian gntleman, o. o.
Howard be Inserted
lie then called attention to the fact
mat Generally Franklin had virtually
become the board of managers. and
stated that If he were in that place when
General Franklins term had expired he
would insist that he be retired in favor
OF some other man. The condition which
senator Plumb described several wears
ago had become intensified and now
even more than then, was General
Franklin the dominating spirit of the
board.
Mr. Blue read letter he had received
from Ex-Governor Anthony. of Kansas,
referring TO one he (Anthony) had writ
ten to General Curtis, member of The
committee on Military Affairs. in which
ne protested against the reelection Of
IeheIai FRANKLIN, because 1t was through
MS tt'ranklin's) influence that Smith
was retained as Governor of the Leaven-
worth home. Smiths administration
the letter claimed, had been accompanied
py scandals and that Smith was unfit
Tor the position for several reasons. This
letter Mr.. Blue said he had been inform
ed General Curtis had not mentioned to
any member OF the committee. If he
was mistaken, he should be glad TO be
corrected.
Replying to questions as to whether
ne had any charge to make against
General f'ranklin's personal character.
Nlr Blue said that Franklin was either
grossly negligent, 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 East statement Mr.. Blue asserted
mat when the congress separated the
offces OF president and treasurer of the
board. which Franklin then held. he
(t'ranklin) took up man named Friday
and named him treasurer. and he
lFranklin) controlled the funds of the
board as he formerly did
Mr.. Blue continued at great length to
assail the conduct OF General Frinklin,
reading a number of afiidavts in cor
roboration of his assertions
General Curtis. responding to this
challenge, said he would in his own
time do justice to Givernor Anthony
and to others also. He declined to
answer Mr.. Blues question whether or
not he had informed members of the
committee of Governor Anthony's let
ter.
Mr.. Blue then read affidayits. letters