The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-16
Vigorous Defense Of General Franl<Iin
by Major Steele, Of Indiana, Who
Has Investigated the Charges.
DUPONT CASE In CONGRESS
MR.. GRAy-s LONG SPEECH ON THE
SUBJECT NOT CONCLUDED.
Ways and Means Committee Votes 20
Repeal the Free-AicohoI Clause
OF the Tnrfn Act.


Special TO the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, April 15-Ex-Governor-
Steele took prominent part in the debate In
the House to-day over the attempt by Rep
resensative Blue, OF Kansas. to oust Gen.
eral Franklin from the board OF managers
of the soldiers homes. Representative Blues
attack on General Franklin is due to Gen.
erai Franklins support Of Governor Smith.
of the Leavenworth Home Governor Smith
has incurred the bitter enmity OF q large
faction in Kansas. which has for years left
no stone unturned to besmirch his. name
with the foulest aspcrsions. AS there is no
method by which Smith can be reached. his
champion, General Franklin. has been sin
gied out for attack. Major Steele is the only
member of the present House who is =
member of the board. His position is q very
delicate one. AS a member Of the board
he was bound 10 defend his fellow-nem-
bers. Apart from this esprit du corps. ne
has for many years entertained
the warmest affection for General
Franklin, whose friendship he won
during the war, when Franklin was the
counselor of Lincoln and the conidant Of
| Grant. But, as one OF the men 10 be elected
under the resolutions which Mr.. Blue In
| part opposes, Major Steele has been unable
| to canvass the House to the support OF Gen.
| eral Franklin, since such action might be
misrepresented. His defense of General
| Franklin was eloquent and convincing and
| Chairman Hull, of the military affairs COM
mittee, having the resolution In charge, said
tonight that he now felt far more confident
| that the Blue amendment would De defeated
| than ne dared TO hope before Mr.. Steele had
| addressed the House. The vote to be taken ~
3 O'Clock tomorrow afternoon will undoubt-
edly be close, uncomfortably Sc, perhaps. The
Mahon amendment, proposing an investigs-
| ton Of the conduct Of Governor Smith, may
be adopted. The military affairs COMMITTEES
agrees with Mr.. Steele that there Is no OBJ
lection whatever 20 the most searching In
vestigation by Congress But the uncer-
handed method Of attacking Governor
Franklin to satisfy private srudee against
| Governor Smith is resented and VIII prob
ably be defeated.
BLUE OPENS THE FIGHT.
The debate throughout the day was Of the
sensational order. It began when Mr. Hull.
chairman Of the committee on military az
fairs. called UP the resolution for the ap-
| pointmept OF William b. Franklin, OF Con-
necticut: Thomas j. Henderson. Of Illinois;
/ George L. Beal, of Maine, and George w.
Steele, Of Indiana. as members Of the board
OF managers OF the national soldiers homes.
Mr.. Blue, who has on several recent occa-
sions severely criticised General franklin.
at once asked three hours to discuss the
resolution. He said he he'd In his hand
| Cdourishing lot of papers aiofD charges
| against General Franklin and Smith, tho
governor Of the Leavenworth home. for
| and brutal treatment OF the inmates Of the
home at Leavenworth. Kan, where. ne SAID.
csiiy call i incarcerated. He proposed 20 oiTer an
gallant soldier, Gen o. o. Howard for that
Mr.. Hull declined to make any concession
as to the time, and Mr.. Blue opened his
aS the Ieayenworth @ home from m the drunken
| and brutal man nov at its head.
do you know he has been drunk?" asked
II do-yomiting, .puking drunk, and viii
produce the proof"
ne aured st ins Mr Steele or
He. Is" replied Mr.. Blue. "at H.zoo
II do not believe he was drunk" said Mr..
.sThe gentleman" replied Mr.. Blue con-
temptuously, is gorged with misinformation
| Blue had read several letters criticising Ge.l.
FraHklin and Governor Smith, one OF them
a pat was M 8o
| said he had letters from inmates Of the
Leavenworth home who II their names we're
Smith. He read telegram from E. y.
Anderson and others urging him to fight
General Franklin's reappointmens Ind and tell
Kansas were behind him. Another letter
read by him said that the writer had enough
ed his array OF testimony by reading an am
| davit from an inmate OF the Leayenworth
home charging Governor Smith with drunk
| enness. cruelty and gross favorifism. He
| claimed that Governor Smith maintained the
biggest saloon in Kansas under the shadow
St tne he nss .s ni the pros o the beer hall
alone were $4,000 That saloon, he said. wss
run by the man who was the head OF the
Have you any charges to make against
the personal character OF General Frank
lin2" asked Mr.. Hull.
CHARGES AGAINST FRANKLIN.
'T charge" replied Mr.. Blue. nth great
deiiberation and emphasis, that the In
spectors reports show that General Frank
In Is either grossly negligent and incom-
petent or that he Is not honest. He knows
of these beer saloons. he knows OF Smiths
conduct. and. If the reports are true. he
holds In his hands I'm violation OF law. trust
funds that should have been turned into the
general fund For years." he continued.
"he was general treasurer OF the home.
When the law prevented him from contlnu-
ing I'm that capacity he picked up some one
treasurer" Mr.. Blue charged that the In
sgecto,rEs. E reports showed that balances had
do you charge misconduct against any
other member or members OF the boardz"
asked Mr. Hull.
Not at present" responded Mr.. Blue:
Il charge no member. except Franklin. be-
cause am not conversant with their acte"
Mr.. Blue also read an aflidavit charging
that a contract existed whereby the KeeiCy
cure was given 20 inmates for IS. while the
inmates we're charged 50 What became
OF the difference the affiant said ne d16
not know.
HAS not the board made an investlea<ion
OF Governor smiths ADMINISTRATION" asked
Mr.. Hull.