New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-29
AID FOR S|CKlES LAGS
IN A DIVIDED SENATE
Lawmakers Sympathetic. but
Doubt Wisdom of State Help
Brown Bill Tabled.
SULZER WOULD GIVE S10O
SAYS He Can Do Nothing as
Governor, and Urges Fund to
Pay War Hero's Shortage
Public Inquiry Suggested.
.ny Telegraph to The TriIune.l

PUBIC inquiry SugSeSIcu'
by Telegraph to The Tribune.l
Albany. Jan. 2S-Discussion OF the
plicht Of General Daniel r. Sickles by the
Senate to-day revealed SO great differ
,ncc OF opinion whether the state ought
TO help him that a resolution offered bi
Senator Elon r. Brown for that purpose
was tabled 1t can be brought up at any
time and referred to a committee or
adopted. Undoubtedly it will I've disposed
Of soon.
The Brown resolution called for the APP
pointmcnt Of a legislative committee or
TWO members from each House to investi-
gate the situation Of General Sickles.
with view TO devisng some plan OF
state aid for him. If the circumstances
warranted such action. Senator Brown
said he hoped the committee. If 1t were
appointed would contain one member OF
the dominant parties from each House so
that the responsibility might be divided
LEGISLATION Unwise, Says Wagner.
Senator Wagner. Democratic leader,
said frankly he didn't know what TO do
with this proposition, but felt it unwlse
to attempt 10 do anything. adding:
We all regret the position in which me
great war hero finds himself. nut IN 'hts
situation We cannot consider matters al
fecting him any differently than We
would if any ordinary citizen were Al
fected Funds OF the state were hiSdp-
uropria ted. and ] don't see how anyDouy
can criticise the Attorney General Tor
seeking 10 recover them We cannot
CondOne this offence. l regret mat the
difficulty has come up. but ! can see
nothing for us to do
Senator Murtaugh. though. thought
there was much the Legislature might
do. II should not DE guided by mere
maudlin sentiment he said, but IT shouio
not forget that General Sickles is the
sole surviving general of the greatest
hattie of the greatest war in this coun-
try's history. senator Muftaugh con-
tinued:
His faults and SHORTCOMINGS viii be
written on the sands. while ms sfedt
deeds will be remembered throughout
tho Years This Legislature last year
appropriated s25O,0O0 for the commend
alton Of the iftieth annlvetSary o,
,;ettvsburg this year We would seem
very impecunious if we couldn give
some attention to relieving the plight 81
this great hero.
Veterans Would Hang Thor Heads
MIR. Palmer. he only Grand Army Sen
aior. said every civil War veteran would
: hang his head in shame il it We're proved
that General Sickles actually had been
entity Of theft. lie said he didn't De-
Nevc the circumstances justified all ,he
interpretations which were being put on
them. The Senator thought there should
he an investigation to inform the public
Of the state of General Sickes's affairs.
Senator McClelland said ii would be too
BAD for the Senate to interfere with a
tribute OF love and veneation which ne
ielt sure would pour in from the pubic
20 help the aged soldier out Of his difficui-
lies Senator Griffin. who was in General
sickes's law office for ten years felt
sure the veteran had done nothing the
most .ensitve would blush for.
When Senator Wagner suggested ,hat
tho resolution so TO a committee for con
sideration its introducer protested. fear
ing that there would he dslay. Senator
Brown said:
1t is the duty of this Legislature 10
stay, II 1t con. prosecution, sen-crlini-
nal. against Sickles. ! have sentiment on
Of Gettysburg with him and other vet
Grams, and never was my patriotism so
stirred can't bear the thought of in
carcerat ting that hero, even for moment.
in this year in which We celebrate the
fftieth anniversary of that battle.
Suzer Offers a Hundred.
Governor Sulzer expressed great sym
patty to-day for the general. lie made
public q telegram received from United
States Senator William Alden Smith, of
Michigan, on the subject, and said he
would give his personal check for 500 to
any newspaper starting relief fund. The
Governor continued:
No one regrets more than ! do the sad
predicament OF the hero of Gettysburg in
the shadow Of his life | know the lifs
and remarkable career OF General Sckles
because ] made a speech for him In favor
OF a bill ! introduced In Congress placing
him on the retired list as lieutenant gem
era
Very few men i'm this country have done
more for the state, the country and the
flag than General Sickles. My sympathy
goes ont 10 him in this hour Of trial
officially ! can do nothing, because am
sworn 10 enforce the laws without fear
or favor. Personally ] want TO help the
general Although 7 am a Door man.
am willing IL contribute 800 toward a
fund to be used to paw the amount he
owes ~ the state. j believe mat some
newspaper should start such a fund.
7 believe that patriotic America Will re-
SpOnd quickly. and that In a week the
amount necessary can be raised. II would
he "A fine testimonial IN the name OF
gratitude for all the people owe 10 great
zero.
TIE telegram from Senator Smith asked
Are the prosperous and generous men
If New York 10 allow q gallant hero like
General Sickles who himself raised al
lis own expense five regiments In the
War OF the Rebellion. and whose gal
lantrv aud heroism ct Gettysburg are
amon2 the priceless traditions Of the war.
10 sIiffar for the want Of S2S 90?
SIckI ES Tn H0i n Fort