Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-02-25
REPORT OF SOLDIERS HOME IxyEs-
TIGATIxG COMMITTEES.
a SHAKING UP RECOMMENDED.
REMOVAL OF ROTH SMITH Ann
sHOCkLEY FAVORED.
Several of the Charges Agninst the
+. Governor Sustnined-Chnnge In
the Pension system Recon-
mended-Speedy Action
Is Unlikely.

Washington, Feb. ai-(Saeciai9 The
special committee appointed by the house
to investigate the management of the Leav-
enworth branch of the National Soldiers
home made its report to-day and recon-
mended the removal of Governor Smith and
complete change and readjustment of the
officers of the home. The committee re-
ports that 1t finds specifications I. and
OF the general charges made out.
Specification 1 charges Governor Smith
with using the funds and property OF the
home for private purposes.
Specification charges him with tyranni-
cal and domineering conduct.
Specification charges him with unfitness
and mismanagement.
These specifications the committee holds
to be proved. AS to the charge of drunken
ness since Governor Smith took the Kelley
cure. the committee finds that the ailega-
ton IS not completely proved.
The result of this finding is said to have
been reached practically by a unanimous
vote OF the special committee consisting of
Messrs. Groat, of Vermont: Stone of PENN
sylvaria; Warner, of Illinois, and Layton
OF Ohio. Congressman Sayres, of Texas,
was a member of the committee, but took
no part In the investigation. Mr.. Grout
expects to have congress take action in
get consideration of the report in the house
Tomorrow or next day.
The report reviews the testimony taken
by the committee in regard to charges of
misrepresentation of funds and property,
the Kelley cure and charges of drunken
ness brought against Governor Smith, In
regard to the sale OF beer on the grounds.
the report says:
There seems to be a glaring inconsist-
ency that the sale of beer and the admin
istration of the Kelley cure should both
be found running in the same government
institution and both at a profit and under
authority of the government"
These views are however those of but
a part of the committee. The other meu-
bers of the committee believed that things
should be left In their present condition
The committee does not find the charges
OF drunkenness against General Smith es-
tablished by the full measure of proof
called for on complaints of this character.
He was also charged with using his posi-
tion as governor for his own personal profit
and benefit in a transaction with Knapp
< Bolman. merchants in Leavenworth-
mink the charges not proven. but 1t was
found that while two persons were
Paid e9e from Tsaj, goyernment funds they
service. a pair of fine horses is also mem
toned as having been bought by Governor
Smith from the general fund without con-
Suitation with proper officials. These
horses were used almost entirely by the
governor. 1t is true. says the report, that
fne me g4Sernor tSe W receives a salary of s.so
mittee considers mistake and detrimental
to good order The governor they also
ind to be. a nan of uneven temper and
not, we'll ditted to manage such a home
and. therefore, recommend his dismissal
and the appointment OF an even tempered.
practical man: All the troubles at the
due to Governor Smith, but other persons
there had a part in creating them.
The trea5ureT ,S MI SaoeSiey; Is mention
forming his duties, and the appointment
of another person in his place Is recon-
mended.
The report speaks with approval of the
Kelley cure, but says that 1t should be
administered either solely by the govern
In regard to the underground cells. called
sweat boxes" by some witnesses. the
committee it, does not find any one to be par
says, were confined In them and restrained
in what might be termed a mild form of
straight jacket, but they were drunk and
the measures taken were for their own
safety.
In this connection the committee sub
mits the draft of bill which will have a
bearing on the home question. 1t provides.
as condition for the admission OF PEN
sioners to the home. that they shall as
may be entitled. except "a a month. Out
of the fund thus created, dependents of
shall be taken care of. at the discretion
of the board Of managers, and worthy
soldiers who have been inmates of the
home for one year shall be furnished with
outdoor aid The first part of this proyis-
ion is directed at the abuse which many
of the inmates make of their pensions by
spending their money for drink instead OF
sending it to those dependent upon them
at home. The second part Is designed TO
n Of their tG
The post fund and government fund are
placed under the supervision OF the secre-
tary of war and the bill authorizes and d.
rects the attorney general of the United
States to call for and reserve the convey
ance of all the real estate of the national
which is not vested In the national home for
disabled volunteer soldiers. This is intend
ed to place the title direct in the United
more complete property returns.
Of the on
to whether the sale of drinks shall be
stopped. and accordingly no provision re-
lating to this matter was incorporated in
While Mr. Grout talks confidently of be-
ing able to secure consideration for the
house 1t Is hardly probable that anything
will be done by this congress. The condt-
tion of business In the senate IS such that
tion except by unanimous consent, and the
senate viii tomorrow enter on series OF
night sessions in order to dispose of the
appropriation bills, and II. is feared that
not sufficient time now remains to pass
these and continue the discussion Of the
treaty with Great Britain at the same
time. Under these circumstances 1t does
not seem probable that any time will be
taken to discuss the pros and cons relating
to the Leavenworth investigation. espe-
will s,Iffice to delay consideration. This
opposition may come from Senator Allison.
whose only concern now is to get the ap-
through the senate. and who will not care
what becomes of the Grout measure.
Ieayenworth. Kas.. Feb. 2.-(Speciai.)
Governor Smith. of the Soldiers home. re-
ceived word from Washington to-day of the
action of the investigating committee. He
seemed to be greatly surprised. He refused
to talk for publication when seen By a re-
porter for The Journal
The Dying Day.
THE TRACE stand brown against the gray.