The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-04-02
SOME INMATES GET DRUNK.
But, WITH THAT EXCEPTION, NONE
OF THE CHARGES WE'RE
VERIFIED.
Each One of the Suggestions Taken
Up and COnsidered-What Was
the Conclusion I'm Each.

HltIee On SoldlerS nome, VIII THIS morn
ing submit to the house, under a reso-
luton adopted March IL, a report Of
the findings relative to certain charges
made against the institution named
by Representative StockWell, the men,
Der from the district embracing the
home. Messrs. Hicks and Kendall, the
subcommittee named to draw up the
findings Of the committee, reported yes
terday and the committee approved the
matter. The report sets forth conSid-
cradle preliminary matter explanatory
Of the manner in which the charges
were made and why the committee
thought best to follow them up. The
text of the report given below shows
able ground to support any Of the
charges made. The report is as fol-
lows:
the pavilion, your committee find cause
for criticism of the policy Of the board of
trustees in building said pavilion. is there
any evidence Of any money unnecessarily ex-
pended IN the construction thereof.
Second-As to the occasion for and cost of
procuring the three smoke consumers your
committee are Of the opinion that the evidence
shows that the trustees were justified in
making the purchase.
Third-Upcn the third complaint, t. e.. that
the laundry plant was purchased year before
tnere was any place for it, and that the new
mangle which was bought for the state of
Minnesota was exchanged for q secondhand
mangie, your committee find that the evil
dence that the laundry plant was needed at
the time 1t was purchased; that it was not
put in operation for some months afterward
was owing to the fact that the board had
not suffcient funds to purchase the neces-
sary attachments therefor.
our committee also find that the maHPle
placed in the soldiers home was furnished
by the firm Of Simpson & Henderson, OF
which Mr.. HendeT on, one of the members
of the board OF r.; tees. was member; that
Mr.. Henderson was the only member of the
board OF trustees. so far the evidence
shows that had knowledge Of the exact man
ner in which said mangle purchased,
for which he is undoubtedly open to criticism
but your committee further find, that the
state received full value for the money paid
fer the mangle; that the mangle bought was
in perfect condition and suitable for the uses
of the home, and that there is evidence
that Maj. Henderson prof1ted 81 in making
such exchange.
Fourth-As to the price paid for clothing
furnished the Minnesota Soldiers home. your
committee find from the evidence that the
price paid for each suit furnished to the
home is $10.75, instead Of $3.50, as charged
in the complaint.
Flfth-Upon the fifth complaint as to the
method of discharging inmates from the SOL
dierS' home your COMMITTEES find the facts to
be that the giving Of a dshonorable dis
charge is left in the first instance with the
commandment of the home, subject to appeal
to the board of trustees.
Speaking of the discharge Of Ellingston, the
report says:
Your committee further find that in that
instance, while they believe a mistake was
made by the commandant in ordering the
dishonorable discharge of Henry Ellingston,
that the conduct of the commandant in Civ
ing such dshonorable discharge was entirely
free from malice. or any improper motive
n language Henry
for which such dishonorable discharge was
ordered, was not such a member of the
home in his right mind should have used
towards an officer Of the home, we are of
the opinion that Henry Ellingston was not
wholly responsible at the time for the Ian
guage used.
committee find that he was honoraby dis
charged at his own request, saying that he
wanted to go to his home in Illinois; that
Just prior to such discharge, he informed
the commandment of the home that he had
citizens clothing to use when discharged
and your committee further finds that after
Tibbets had been away from the home a
short time he again returned, and was prompt
ly admitted thereto, upon his own request,
and is not an inmate of the hospital Your
committee further finds blame attached
to the commandant Of the home for the man
ner in which Tibbets was discharged.
SiXth-This relates to the food, which is
found to be all right. The committee is of
the opinion that particular attention should
be paid to cooking certain portions of the
food, that the men in the home who are
without teeth, or have few teeth left shall
be furnished with food suitable to their con-
dition.
Seventh-As to the complaint OF the taking
of pensions from the inmates, contrary to
the laws Of the United States, your committee
finds that the pensions have never been so
taken, contrary to such laws; that the board
of trustees has, in requiring applicants for
admission to the home TO turn over to the
home all in excess of 81 per month followed
he
action Of the legislature. and in conformity to
the system of most other states, and has
can ascertain has, in the taking of the ex-
cess Of pensions above 81 month, acted in
strict conformity to law.
Eighth-In regard to the complaint of the
furnishing of oil and other supplies by cor
porations in which Trustee ]. A. Gilman is
interested, your committee, from the evil
dence. find that ]. A. Gilman has not been
financially Interested in the furnishing of oil
or other supplies to the board OF trustees of
the soldiers home. either by himself or
through any corporation. }
Ninth-AS to the contract for wood work
in Cottage No. 8. no evidence was adduced to
the committee.
Tenth-Upon the complaint of the unfor-
tunate and unnecessary amount Of drunken
ness among the inmates of the soldiers home
your committee have heard large number
Of witnesses. and from the evidence adduced
find there is foundation ror complaint;
that probably from to 10 per cent of the In
mates of the home the unfortunate VIC
tins OF the disease of alcoholism; that fire.
quently, and more particularly Immediately
after pension day, certain inmates of the
home. returning from leave of absence to the
cities, are seen in a state OF open and motor
ious drunkenness. thereby disgracing them
selves and casting discredit upon the insti-
tuition of which they are members.
Your committee further find that in only
one instance. as shown by the testimony, was
any complaint made to the authorities at the
home of this misconduct on the part of its
inmates.
Your committee further find that 1t is an
act of mistaken kindness on the part Of the
public authorities Of either the cities of ST.
Paul or Minneapolis to permit such acts OF
open and notorious drunkenness to go without
punishment, when proper complaint is made
of such infraction of the law.
Your committee are further Of the opinion
that the management Of the home should
sistent with humanity and the laws under
which they are acting, to control and lessen
this evil
Your committee. after a careful consider
| alton OF the complaint to the example of
| the commandant to the members Of the home
| In the matter Of drunkenness, are of the opin-
| ion that the evidence adduced upon this COM
plant wholly fails to sustain the charge
made, and your committee are strongly i'm
pressed with the fact that Commandant Nc
| MILAN is pre- minently fitted to kindly hu-
namely and properly care for the soldiers
| under his charge.
| payment Of Quartermaster Grants salary
| while not on duty, your committee find from
| the evidence that Quartermaster Grant was
| exceedingly Ill at the time; that the board of
trustees ala not feel warranted in discharging
| him from his position as Quartermaster until
they were certain that he would not recover:
| that a subordinate was paid in part for ner.
| forming the duties of said quartermaster dur
| ing his illness. which was a proper thing to
| do under all the circumstances of the case
| TWelfth-YOur committee find that ex-Cuar