Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-04-25
HE AND THE PACIFIC HOME MAN.
AGER TO EXCHANGE PLACES,
NEITHER FACTION is PLEASED.
GOVERNOR SMITHS ENEMIES WANT.
ED HIM DISCHARGED.
Smith Wanted to Remain in Leuven-
worth-Cyrus Townsend, 1t Is
Said, Is to Succeed Major
ShOckley as Treasurer
a Long Fight.


the board of managers of the National SOL
diers' homes had transferred Governor A.
j. Smith to the Pacific home and that Colo
mel j. G. Rowland was to come from Santa
Monica to this place. 1t was reported that
other changes had been made in the Off
! cial force of this home, but nothing posi-
tive could be learned. Rumor has 1t that
Cyrus Townsend is to succeed Major
Shockley as treasurer.
The transferring of Governor Smith was
displeasing to himself and friends and un-
satisfactory to his enemies. He wanted to
remain here, where he has some money in
vested and his enemies wanted him dis
charged from all connection with the SOL
diers' homes.
The fight to down Governor Smith has
been long and bitter one. 1t began seven
years ago when Senator Preston B. Plumb
delivered a speech in the senate denounc-
ing Smith. AT that time the governor was
having trouble with the veterans stationed
here. Jerry Simpson made speech against
Smith four years ago, but it had no weight,
coming from the source it did.
The fight was renewed in earnest 4 year
ago, when Congressman Dick Blue made
a sensational speech on the floor of con-
gress bitterly denouncing Smith as a
drunkard and a tyrant. A committee of
congressman was appointed and an eX-
haustive investigation was held here. In
ALL eighty-five witnesses were examined,
and the testimony when published made a
volume of LIS pages. The committee found
Smith guilty of using government property
for private purposes, mismanagement and
cruelty and recommended his removal. A
special meeting of the board of managers
was called in Washington a. month ago to
act on the recommendations of the commit
tee, and there was much surprise mani
tested when they adjourned without taking
action; After the meeting. rumors spread
that Governor Smith would stay here or
be transferred to the Pacific home. The
veterans at the home We're much displeased
with this and they have been circulating
petitions during the last few days asking
for Governor Smiths removal. Many vet
Grams signed the petitions. which were all
alike, and read as follows:
ITO the Honorable Board of Managers of
the National Soldiers Home for Disabled
Volunteer Soldiers and Sailors.
We, the undersigned members of the
kas., learning that certain citizen friends
of Governor Andrew j. Smith have present.
ed petitions to your honorable body, ask
ing that he be retained as governor of the
branch, in disregard OF the findings of the
congressional investigating committee, and
knowing that if the said petitioners are as
suming to act for and represent our best ip-
terests as members of this branch in this
matter, they have done so without con-
And feeling that if said petitioners have
consulted only their own and Colonel
Smiths interests. We who are but house
less, homeless and helpless members of this
branch, asking but the boon that We may
spend our few remaining days in peace as
the nations invited guests, and that our
should at least be heard and our interests
consulted equally with citizens who have
comfortable, homes. cheerful firesides and
We therefore represent that the good of
this branch demands and We pray for the
immediate removal of Governor Andrew ].
nf hrar rNh
For vindcation of our cause we point to
the evidence taken by and the findings and
recommendations of the congressional in
veStigating committee.
I'VE protest against any reopening of the
case and certainly protest against any
ex parte hearings, and trust that your hon
orable body will see the great disadvantage
We would be put to in making cause before
you against the one who is In command
event would have already disregarded in a
certain sense conviction"
When the news came in to-day of the
transfer: nothing else was talked of. The
old feeling Immediately manifested itself
among the friends and enemies of the gov
ernor.
the news and declined to be interviewed.
A reporter who was sent to interview the
governor was not treated in a very cordial
manner.
There is some talk of number of Gov
ernor Smiths friends getting up a banquet
in his honor before he departs from here
In case this is done. the veterans will get
up q counter demonstration, and Colonel
Dick Blue will be invited to deliver an ora
ton for the occasion.
The transfer of the governors Is expected
to take place July l. Colonel Rowland. the
man coming here, has been the manager
of the Pacific home for several years. He
was at one time mayor of Quincy, Ill.,. and
was formerly governor of the Illinois state
home. He is reported to be kind, and
strict disciplinarian.
Cyrus Townsend, who, Ii is reported. has
been selected as treasurer of the home
here, was formerly secretary of the Kansas
Wagon Manufacturing Company. and was
associated with ex-United States Senator
Alexander Caldwell. If he has secured the
place. it is due to the work of General
Der of the board of managers and a rela-
tive of Mr.. Caldwell. Mr.. Townsend is
prominent club man and social leader
here.