Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1891-12-03
From the Soldiers Home.

SCOTT wEAKLEY WRITES OF PROPOSED
CHANGE IN LAWS CONTROLLING ADMIT.
| TANCE.
EDITOR REPUBLICAN Since Audubon coun.
ty has proven her fealty to republicanism by
sending TO the next General Assembly, two OF
her most worthy citizens to represent her inter
ests. l have thought 1t would possibly be OF more
than passing interest to speak through the col.
lnDs OF the REPUBLICAN upon topic that Is
| creating quite sensation In this vicinity and
VIII be of universal comment or criticism
| throughout all Iowa until finally acted upon by
the next General Assembly.
When the Iowa Soldiers Home was built and
| the rules for its government were declared, there
was nothing In those rules which would hinder
any disabled eX-soldier from seeking its protec-
| ton. The millionaire IL disabled and feeling so
inclined might be as easily admitted as the poor
penniless pauper. The public pensioner regard
less OF the amount Of pension was equally the
sharer of its hospitality along with him who
drew no pension, save Il pttance for clothing.
The Home has about reached its maximum num-
Der and the general dissatisfaction that now ex-
lists seems to have arisen from the two sources
before named and the attending evils brought
about by them. The board of directors In their
last report recommend that rule be established
making all who are competent 10 provide for
themselves non-admissable and also OF deduct
ing certain amount of the pension paid to each
man for his support here, namely, taking all of
the pension away from the pensiOner except 81
per month. While II is perfectly In harmony
with reason to make those who are financially
or physically able to support themselves do so,
it looks very unreasonable and extremely penI-
rious of a state like proud Iowa, to extort blood
money from Il disabled soldier whom nation
has hOnOred enough to class him worthy of its
recognition. viii it be said of this people that
their tendency toward democratic rule has de-
generated and demoraized a once patriotic peO-
pie to that extent? That extortion must be re-
sorted too that robbery under a legal guise must
be practiced to crafty the morbid curiosity OF
the class who now and always did despise the
soldier element. We admit il Is shame that |
man should be public charge and public pen
SOner and squander his means in riotous living
and neglect those to whom he owes his support.
But we are reliably informed by the commander
of the Home that Is per cent of all the members
of this institution will fully cover the sum of
those who are given to abusing their rights here
II Is no pleasant matter for one to know that his
condition In life neccSstates his being public
charge and Idare say that all, each and every
one here would gladly take their leave were it
possible for them to better their condition. And
since 1t is grieYQns to know that our condition Is
50 deplorable 1t Is even worse TO think OF a peo-
pie wishing to make poverty so odIous that il
sayOrs Of crime. The major part OF those who
are inmates of this institution are old men, yerg
ing nigh TO their final destiny and are men
whose families are either dead or gone and have
no other shelter or home and are unable to earn
anything ana consequently hare nothing unless
given to them by the government as n pittsnce
for sacrifice made for the maintainance of all
Just law. Now that Iowa is asked and expected
to pass law robbing these aged men of their
little spending money from purely penurious
standpoint, it is ridiculous. Why not tear down
the institution and bid them care for themseve,
at once and save those large salaries paid to Of
ticials as well as paying for the support of the
poor. Respectfully.
SCOTT WEAKLEY.