The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-07-19
NEEDS OF OUR VETERANS
GOV. GORDON SENDS A MESSAGE
TO THE LEGISLATURES

Important Notifications in the Pres
emit Law Recommendation Attempt
to Prohibit the Publication of exec
utive Session Proceedings Fails
Several New Bills introduced in
Each House.
ATLANTA, GA, July 1s.-The governor
sent the following message to the general
assembly to-day on a timely topic:
To the Senate and House Of ReDresentd'iUeS:
The experience Of the executive department
IN the administration of the Laws extending aid
20 disabled ex-confederate soldiers Undue S me
70 suggest some amendment Of the statutes
Up 10 this time payments for this year have
been made to = 40 applicants, amounting 10 an
aggregate sum Of Sl54.Hm. Others are apply
ing, and many more will doubtless be allowed
The department has been compelled by the
terms of the law 10 refuse large number OF
applicants whose proofs did not meet the
requirements of the statute. In many
instances these applicants were not less me ito
Pious and tar more nece> sltouS than some whose
cases came distinctly within the provisions of
the law. such cases have taxed tue sensinlll-
ties of those CHARGED with the execution OF the
act to degree which can only DE appreclate1
by those who have witnessed the dlSappOint
ment and distress Of applicants who, conf
IDENTIFY believ ng in the justice of tn If claims
upon the state, have been necessarily turned
away without its bounty.
Charged with its administration, ! am i'm
pressed with the belief that the restrictive
clauses of the present law exclude from its
benefits many who richly deSer, the STATES
benefaction. | am therefore impclrd Oy
Commanding sense Of duty 10 earnestly recon-
mend such amendment in this iegard as both
gratitude and honor demand and as you, in
your wisdom. may deem il proper to enact
Although a quarter of century Of stirring and
momentous events has passed since they laid
down their arms, you have not forgotten, nor
will you forget that host OF great he rted men
who rallied at the call OF the state and lost in
her service the pow of selEsuppOrt. The wide
spread desolatiOn wrought by the war prevented,
for a time any adequate provision by the stat
for her MANNED and disabled heroes. But
thanks to a beuiguant Providence an the re-
operative energies Of her pc pie, Georgia is no
longer unable to discharge n some degree, at
least her obligations to the men who so brdvely
responded TO her summons and nave SO
patiently awaited for some proper recognition
of their services an suGerlngs.
But there is another casS-the widows and
orphans of our dead solders-who have been
deprived both of their natural protectors and
the means of support, and whose cases are
therefore commended with eclal emphasis to
your thoughtful consideration and sense of
justice. lnaSmuch as an amendment to the
constitution will be necessary to bring them
within the purview OF the statutes provision, |
respectfully and most earut stly urge the pres
emit general assembly to inaugurate this move
ment without delay Ii requires argument
to establish the justice of the claims. Inability
to pay has hitherto been the states justfca
tion. This inability no longer exists Consid-
ering the states available and convertible as
sets, her public debt is nothing. Let us then
prepare TO discharge without further postpone
Iuent this debt OF honor, as sacred an obliga-
ton as ever rested upon an enlightened and
christian people J. b. GORDON.