The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-10-14

on the day that Walter S. Melick
died the Sacramento Bee. hoping to ad-
vance the political fortunes of Theo-
core Bell, Democatic nominee for Con-
gress in the Second District, published
the following: Walter 5. Melick, that
stalwart Republican secretary Of the
state Board Of Examiners, stated to
the Bee on May last that the board
OF directors had been extravagantly
lnismanaging the YountviIle Home"
As Melicks voice was stilled in death
tho Bee no doubt supposed that the
dead could be misrepresented TO malign
the living and no exposure would fol-
low. Happily the stalwart Republican
secretary Of the State Board Of EX-
arnfners recorded his impressions Of
the Bee the day after that paper, in
the interest of Bell. sought 10 misrep-
resent the management Of the home
On Nay Melick, in a letter TO one d.
rector. wrote;
4 know you, personally, viii not hold
me responsible for the statements that
are printed in the Bee. but I write you
u ask the other members Of the board
who may think that 1 inspired such
statements, to withhold criticism.
When opportunity incidentally offers
viii you kindly speak TO General Back
US. General Stone and any others who
might possibly think made any such
statements rejecting upon the institu-
ton
ANOTHER LETTER.
The Bee, singing itself in its mad
-,
crate and conclusive from the letters
Of the stalwart Republican secretary.
The Call to-day presents the complete
text OF q letter from the late Walter
s. Melick 10 General John F. Sheehan,
secretary OF the board OF directors of
the Veterans Home, which letter con-
tains clear and ample proof that will
convince every fair minded voter in
the Second Congressional District that
the Bee in May last WIS engaged in
q campaign OF calumny to boost Bell
Bell began his campaign for re-elec-
ton by reviling the management of the
Soldiers Home, hoping to create a side
issue and divert attention to the fact
that he was the candidate Of the party
which declared protection to be rob-
berry The Republican State Central
Committee was wise and accordingly
forced Bell TO stand in the open as the
nominee Of the Democratic party. For
months no attention was paid to side
issues, but since the Sacramento Bee
has descended TO the dissertation Of the
dead 10 help the Democratic nominee
the committee holds that some facts of
general interest apart from strict party
lines should be stated
Some Of the veterans dwelling at the
home have saved from their pensions
considerable sums Of money. Small
lawyers on the outside view with ten
der solicitude any old soldier who has
saved a sum exceeding 500. II the
amount saved happens 20 approximate
$1,000 measures are taken to declare the
veteran incompetent For exampIe
Thomas Mcdonnell, who had lived at
the home in peace and comfort for
fourteen years, was found to be the
possessor Of $500. the sum OF $1,000 be-
ing 10 his credit with the treasurer
The law firm Of Bell, York & Bell took
great interest in the case and handled
the petition 10 have the old veteran
declared incompetent and a guardian
appointed for him. Mcdonnell was
taken from the home. Shortly after he
left the institution he died and his es-
tate was recently distributed accord
ing 10 q viii which was dated and
witnessed about the time the court de-
clared him incompetent. Bell, York &