The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1891-04-02
The Waupaca Soldiers Home and
Gov Peck.

y
be true, the State has fallen on evil
times. Il. is asserted that members
of the Legislature belonging to the
Democratic party submit to the die
tation of one Democratic leader and
from Milwaukee. All
bills, measures or matters of any con-
sequence, in order to secure favor
able action, are first submitted to the
boss legislator before being offered
in the legislature. So long as this
political organization holds together
almost any action the Democrats re.
solve upon can be carried, for the
party have the majority control Of
the Legislature. An exhibition Of
the working of legislative matters
was seen in the late attempt to pass
a bill granting an appropriation for
the benefit of the Waupaca Soldiers
Home. That institution was estab-
lished several years ago by patriotic
and benevolent citizens Of the State;
and here it is proper to remind the
friends of the Waupaca Soldiers
Home in this city that Miss Mary B.
Locke, for years teacher in the
public school here, and who subse-
quently married Capt. McVean, was
among the first to build cottage at
the Waupaca Home for the accom-
mediation of a soldier and family.
She in after years made contribu-
tons for the benefit of the Home.
Donations from private individuals,
Grand Army Posts, Relief Corps and
organizations have put up
buildings and given literally IN 9th
er respects, until it has become an
institution Of which the people of
the State have reason to regard with
just pride. The State in its official
capacity can take no credit for what
has been done for this noble enter
prise Of patriotic benevolenoe. Sew
eral weeks ago, citizens believing it
an act Of justice which the State
owed the veteran soldiers, that it
should be asked to make an appro-
priation to place the Home on q per
manent footing, SO that it would not
be obliged to seek private charity in
case of contingencies, which are La
BILE to happen. A bill was accord
ingly introduced in the legislature to
appropriate $4,000 to be expended
in improvements. The bill for the
on first view appeared
so just and reasonable that Demo-
cratic members voted for it and it
passed both houses and was trans
mitted to Gov. Peck for his approx
al The bill having originated from
the Republican side, it was regarded
a Republican measure; the Governor
was besought not to sign the bill.
Gov. Peck was put in a trying posi-
ton; the appropriation had passed
both houses by the help Of Demo
cratic votes. 1t was well under
stood that Wall, the boss Democrat,
5o-called, was bitterly opposed to
the appropriation, and influence
was too great for Gov. Peck to an
Gov Peck, after retain
ing the bill in his hands to the last
hour, returned it to the legislature
without his signature, accompanied
with his views and indicating what
kind Of a bill for Waupaca he would
be willing to sign, but his plans for a
bill were UNDECIDED. The managers
Of the Waupaca Home declare that
Gov. Peck having shown his hostili-
ty to what is regarded a just meas
ure Of aid for the Home, they will
not accept of any plan of the Gov
ernQr's deYising, If they cannot
have State aid without humiliation,
they will not have any. The mana
gers of the Home have been prof
cred assistance to the amount of the
asked fer appropriation if it IS need
ed, Different offers from a $1,000
downward, have been promised if
necessary. The Home having sur
vived and grown in Importance thus
far, will not now consent to be
placed in the position of paupers and
under supervision Of State ap-
pointees. The composition Of the
of the late war will not con-
sent to put themselves under State
management, but prefer maintaining
their independence. It appears to
be understood that Gov. Peck would
favor State appropriation for the
Waupaca Home conditioned that
the institution be placed under State
control. In that case the State
could take the appointment Of the
officers of the Home, which would
give the Governor some patronage
to bestow on his friends.