Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-03-04
R. N. KERR.

One day last week, the Topeka SaPil"i WI
tanned story about R. N. Kerr, of this county,
who is member of the board OF managers OF
the soldiers home at Dodge City. This story
was to the effect that Mr.. Kerr had appointed
one DR.. Franklin, of this county, to the place
of physician at the soldiers home; that Frank
lin is gold-bug Republican; that the appoint
ment was made without the knowledge OF the
other members of the board, and that the other
members were mad and were making 1t warm
for Kerr; that Kerr was in disgrace with the
board. and that he would be bounced at the eX-
piration of his term, which, the Capital says,
occurs March 18th.
Not knowing anything about the case, but
having full confidence in Mr.. Kerr, we conclud-
ed to say nothing till we could see him ana see
what he had to say. On Monday, he called at
this office, and, in answer to our questions, ne
gave us, in brief, the history of the case. tie
had twenty letters bearing on the case-some
from other members of the board-whlch COM
pletely exonerated him. We found, upon read
ing the letters, that the other members OF the
board acquiesced in franklin appointment, APP
pointment, at first, but, upon learning Frank
Inns character, they opposed him. Mr.. Kerr
was not acquainted with Franklin-knew abso-
lutely nothing about him-but appointed him
upon the recommendation of friends OF FRANK
lin. Immediately after the appointment, pro-
tests begun to pour in, some stating that Frank
lin was gold-bug Republican, who had been
pretty loud in denouncing everything that was
not strictly Republican. When MIR. Kerr learn
ed these things, and also was informed OF
Franklin's lack of ability, he Immediately re-
called his appointment and told him not TO go
the home. Franklin paid no attention to this,
however, and, during Mr.. Kerr's illness, went
to Dodge City to assume charge OF his position.
To explain little further, we will say that
the former physician had resigned, and the
board were in quandary who to appoint none
knowing of physician who would give up his
practice to accept this place. TREND OF
Franklin recommended him to Mr.. Kerr, and
he and the other members were only too glad
to learn of man who would accept the POSITION
Therefore, Franklin was appointed.
To show that Kerr did not make the appoint
ment without the knowledge of the other men,
beers of the board we quote the following letter
from the president of the board:
Editor Topeka State Journal;
In the State Journal of Feb. 22, 1898, you
say:
"It may be A. J. Arnold" and that there is
crow on among the board of managers OF the
State Soldiers Home" There is not word
of truth in that article What Mr.. Kerr did
was with my full consent. DR.. Franklin had
no right to go to the Soldiers Home when he
did 90. In fact, Mr.. Kerr had told him not TO
90. The article above alluded to does Mr.. Kerr
an Injustice. He has my full confidence, and
endorse everything that he hid do and all that
he is going to do. THos. H. GRESHAM,
Pres. Board of Managers of State Soldiers
Home.
We think this is sufficient to place Mr.. Kerr
right before the people. We could quote other
letters to exonerate him, but think 1t unneces-
sary. He has our tull confidence, and, we be-
lieve, has the confidence OF the people, also.
SEND the Ae1rAroR to your friends. 1t will
do them good.
A CHICAGO Judge upholds blacklisting; says
the railroads have right to make rules for their
own protection.
HANNA has been heard from at last. He has
been down on Wall street, among the bankers,
r,renarius for a $500, 900, 900 bond issue, in
case we 90 to war with Spain.