The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-17
MR.. BLUE DEFEATED.
Gen. Franklin VIII Remain u SOl-
dfers' Home Manager.

dfers' Home Manager.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, april 16.-Mr. Blues fight
against the reappointment of Gen. William
B. Franklin as a member of the board of
managers Of the National Home for Disa-
bled volunteers, which was the feature of the
proceedings in the House yesterday ter
minated unsuccessfully to-day when his
amendment to substitute the name of Gen.
0. Q. Howard for that Of General Franklin
was rejected-61 to 149. The debate on the
subject was continued until 3 o'clock, and
was at times quite spirited. Both General
Franklin and Governor Smith. of the Leav-
enworth home. were eloquently defended by
General Grosvenor. of Ohio; General Hender-
son. of Iowa: Mr.. Hull. of Iowa. chairman of
the committee which reported the resolu-
tions. and others. Mr.. Hepburn. Of Iowa,
Mr.. Kirkpatrick, of Kansas, and Mr.. Calder
head, Of Kansas, spoke against General
Franklin The resolution adopted to-day ap-
points General Franklin and Maj. George
w. Steele, of Indiana. to succeed themselves:
George l. Beal, of Maine, to succeed General
Fessenden, and Gen. Thomas j. Henderson.
of Illinois, to succeed Gen. John c. Black.
Representative Steele was gratified at the
overwhelming majority by which Represent
alive Blues amendment was defeated. The
sentiment of the House was great surprise
to all friends of both the board and of the
military affairs committee. Mr.. Blues un-
pleasant attitude toward Major Steele and
his Incorporate Language toward the Indiana
member had much to do with the revulsion
of feeling among Mr.. Steele's friends. Fur
thermore the Kansas Representatives re-
fusal to accept the Mahon amendment, pro-
viding. for an investigation OF the Leaven-
worth home, caused many members to de-
sert him. Had he accepted this amendment.
which was acceptable to Mr.. Steele, as rep
resentng the board of managers, and to
Mr.. Hull, the chairman of the military af-
fairs committee, Mr. Blue would have ac-
complished the suspension of General
Franklin's confirmation until after the in
vestigation. Then. had the charges alleged
by him yesterday proved to be true, General
Franklin's name would hardly have been
presented again. AS it is. Mr.. Blues OBJ
stinacy defeated his own purposes. 1t is un-
derstood tonight that the military affairs
committee will bring in a resolution shortly
providing for an investigation by Congress
of the Leavenworth home.
AT the opening of the session Mr.. Hender-
son, chairman of the judiciary committee.
secured consent for the consideration OF the
bankruptcy bill on Wednesday and Thurs
day Of next week.
Mr.. Tracey then spoke against General
Frankiin's appointment
Mr.. Mahon declared that he would not
vote 70 strike down General Franklin any
other man on ex parte testimony, but he
urged the adoption OF his amendment TO
investigate tbs charges against Governor
Smith. of the Leavenworth Home. with in
structions to the board to dismiss him IL
they are substantiated.
Mr.. Grosvenor supported the recommenda-
ton of the military affairs committee. He
regretted that ex parte testimony. scandal
Gus in its character. had been brought into
the House asseiling the management OF a
great national institution. He despised ex
parte assaults and scandal mongers. He
read a letter from Gen. James Barnet, OF
Cleveland a member Of the board commend
ing General Franklin in the highest terms.
AS for General Howard. he desired to say
he had the greatest affection for the o,d
soldier, but he could point out in the records
of the House ex parte charges which he
did not believe against General Howard be-
fore which all that had been said against
General Franklin would pale into insignifi-
canoe He had been charged with fraud,
pecllation and every species of outrage.
Mr.. Hepburn opposed the reappointment
of General Franklin. ~
Mr. Ray asked why Mr.. Blue had not
presented his charges 10 the board of man.
ayers.
Because the gentleman from Kansas is
not an ass" replied Mr.. Hepburn 1T would
be ass who would present 10 a court for
trial charges against that court"
Mr.. Henderson. in favoring the resolution.
said that ex parte evidence was not potent
enough to make him put the seal of con-
demnation on two men crowned with the
glory of great lives. especially when they
had the support Of Governor Morrill,. Of
Kansas.
After some remarks by Mr.. Calderhead
against General Franklin and by Mr.. Sperry
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 influence kept Cen
eral Franklin in his place at the head OF
the board.
Mr. Steele. of Indiana, then presented a
mass OF telegrams from Leavenw0rth and
other points signed by the chapla.ns of the
Leayenworth home and others. branding the
charges against Governor Smith as false.
One OF the kilograms pronounced a telegram
read by Mr.. Blue yesterday as a forgery.
Mr. Hull. chairman OF the military affairs
committee. which reported the resolution for
the reappoin;ment of General Franklin.
Closed the debate with defense OF the ac-
ton of the committee.
Just as ME. Hull concluded. Mr.. Blue
sprung sensafions by arising TO a question
OF privilege, and denouncing the statement
made in telegram read by Mr.. Steele to
the effect that he had read forged fele-
gram 10 the House yesterday as cruel and
malicious falsehood. and, Mr.. Steele's pre-
sentation OF IL as cowardly and uncaiied for.
Mr.. Blue was very much aroused and
charged that the telegram was read for
| the purpose OF having its effect on the