St. Paul daily globe., 1896-04-17
HIS CHARGES AGAINST GEN.
FRANKLIN WE'RE REJECTED
BY THE HOUSE.
DEBATE WARM IN TONE.
TALK OF COWARDLY CONDUCT AND
FORGED TELEGRAMs FLEW
ABOUT.
GEN. FRANKLIN STILL A MANAGER
His Case and That of Mr.. Smith VIII
Not he Investigated Once
More.

WASHINGTON, April 16.-Mr. Blues fight
against the reappointment of Gen. W. B.
Franklin as a member of the board of man
ayers Of the National Home for Disabled
Volunteers, which was the feature Of the
proceedings in the house yesterday, ter
minated unsuccessfulIy today when his
amendment to substitute the name of Gen.
o. O. Howard for that Of Gen. Franklin was
rejected-61-149. The debate on the sub
ject was continued until 3 o'clock, and was
at times quite spirited Both Gen. Frank
lin and Gov. Smith, of the Leavenworth
home, were eloquently defended by Gen.
Grosvenor, Of Ohio: Gen. Henderson, Mr..
Hull, of Iowa. chairman of the committee
which reported the resolutions, and Others
Mr.. Hepburn Qowa). Mr.. kirkpatrick (Kan.)
and Mr.. Calderhead Ran.) spoke against
Gen. Franklin. The resolution adopted to-
day appoints Gen. Franklin and MIR. Steele,
Of Indiana. to succeed themselves; George
l.. L. Beal, of Maine, to succeed Gen. Fes-
senden, and Gen. Thomas ]. Henderson, Of
Illinois, to succeed Gen. John G. Black.
At the opening of the session Mr.. Hender-
son Rep., Io.), chairman of the Judiciary
committee, secured consent for the consd-
Grafton Of the bankruptcy bill on Wednes-
day and Thursday of next week. Mr.. Ira
cey then spoke against Gen. F'ranklin's ap-
pointment. Mr.. Mahon Rep., o. declared
that he would not vote to strike down Gen.
Franklin or any other man on ex parte tes-
timony, but he urged the. adoption of his
amendment to investigate the charges against
Gov Smith, Of the Leavenworth home with
instructions to the board to dismiss him If
they were substantiated. Mr.. Grosvenor
(Rep., o. supported the recommendation of
the military affair committee He read a.
letter from Gen. James Barnett of Cleve-
land. member Of the board commencing
Gen. Franklin in the highest terms. Mr.
Hepburn (Rep.i La.) opposed the appoint
ment of Gen. Franklin. Ray Rep, N. W
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. cit
| would be an ass who would present to a
court for trial charges against that court /"
After some remarks by Mr.. Calderhead
! (ReP., kan.) against Gen. Franklin and by
| Mr. Sperry Rep., Comm in his defense Mr.
| Blue closed the debate for his side Of the
| case. He repeated his charges and concluded
with the statement that some mysterious in
| huence kept Gen. Franklin in his place at
the head OF the board.
! Mr.. Steele (Rep., Ind) then presented a
| mass of kilograms from Leavenworth and
| other points signed by the chaplans of the
Leavenworth home and others branding the
charges against Gov. Smith as false One of
| the kilograms pronounced a telegram read
yesterday by Mr.. Blue forgery. Mr.. Hull,
! chairman Of the committee which reported
| the resolution. closed the debate in Gen.
Franklin's favor. Just as Mr.. Hull conclud-
| ed, Mr.. Blue sprang a sensation by arising
to question of privilege and denouncing
| the statement made in a telegram read
by Mr.. Steele to the effect that he (Blue) had
| read forged telegram to the house yester-
| day as cruel and malicious falsehood and
] Mr.. Steele's presentation as cowardly and
uncalled for. Mr.. Blue was very much arous-
| ed and charged that the telegram was read
| for the purpose of having its effect on the
house.
Mr.. Blue then asked If Mr.. Hull would al
| low the vote on the resolution to be post
| poned for ten days. This Mr.. Hull declined
| to do. The speaker decided also that a mo-
| tion to recommit would not be in order. Mr..
Mahons amendment to investigate Gov
| Smiths conduct was ruled out and the vote
was taken on the Blue amendment to substi-
tute the name of Gen. Howard for that Of
| Gen. Franklin. 1t was rejected on a rising
vote-55 to $780, On the demand of Mr.. Blue
the vote was taken by yea and nay vote and
resulted-61 to 149. The resolution was then
adopted without division.
Several minor bills were passed. The
speaker announced the appointment of Mr..
Cobb Dem., Ala) on the ways and means
committee in place Of Mr.. Tarsney, who was
urseated; Mr.. Aldrich (Rep., Ill), on bank
ing and currency, and Mr.. Van Horn (Rep.,
Me- on labor. At 4:45 the house adjourned,