The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-29

At the last meeting OF the board Of visi-
tors Of the Soldiers Home petition was
submitted signed by 6fiy-one inmates of
that institution. Tho petition asks for
change in the management of the Home for
the reason set forth that the present super
intendont. General William r. Terry. is
disqualified to properly administer and car
~ ont the duties connected with his ofico
on account Of his physical disabilities. The
document states that General Terry is sub
ject 10 spasmodic fits Of anger which often
forbade the inmates 70 approach him on
matters Of business.
TIE FOOD UNFIT.
The petition further alleges that tho man
Rgement OF the culinary department Of
the Home Ia very bad and that sometimes
the food, although abundant IN It's kind. is
unfit for consumption. The petition ex-
presses the hope that some arrangements
might be made by which an annuity might
be secured 90 General Terry. The petition
ors expressly state that they hope that the
friends of General Terry will induce him
for his own interest TO tender his resgna-
ton.
In order 10 ascertain the actual feeling
among the inmstes OF the institution IN re-
ference 70 the DuTpOrt of the petition !
visited tho Soldiers Home early yesterday
morning and had interviews with about
half dozen Of the inmates. The COnfed-
crate veterans whom ! conversed with were
highly educated aud Of unusual inteli-
gence They were all MANNED soldiers. and
while they spoke IN the highest terms OF
General Terry as an ex-COnfederate sol
der whom they were moro or less on init
mate terms with, they were unanimous IN
their statements that owing 20 bis physical
disabilities, he was not the man who pos
sesses the ability 10 occupy such an im-
portant position aad carry out the duties
connected with the office OF superintendent.
They took the ground that the place re-
ouired f. man who possessed business quail
ties which enabled him to look after every
thing IN connection with the management
oil the institution IN its details They ell
EXPRESSED great sympathy with General
Terry, whom they admired as o brave Con-
federste soldier. and they thought that ar
Tangements could be made for him so as to
secure him an annual income Ia some way.
BBIEFLY sUMNiED Up.
The complaints made by the old soldiers
whom / conversed with were more or less
uniform and can be briefly summarized as
follows
Tie inmates Of the Home are nearly all
men who are more or less broken down
mentally and physically and they can be
easily managed for they know well enough
that there is nothing between them and the
poOr-housa but the Soldiers Home, and the
slightest show of authority will therefore be
sufficient to control them. II for some rea-
son they are driven out of the Home they
will have no other place TO 20 to than the
slnshouse. In view of this fact they deem
it entirely unnecessary 20 be treated ~ a
harsh manner by the superintendent. They
q Itr,a inf fFf liant D "a
no intention 20 ill-treat them but owing TO
his physical condition. which brings on his
spasmodic FITS. he becomes angry very
easily. II any one demonstrates with him he
simply calls his attention 70 the fact that
the gate is open for him If he Is not satisfied
with the Home.
NO REDRESS.
10 was also stated by the old veterans that
the pnvsical disabilities Of General Terry
prevent him from inspecting the provisions
that are sent 20 the institution and IN that
manner il has happened that spoiled fish
and spoiled pigs feet have been brought into
the kitchen and served at meal times. The
bread. which Is not baked on the grounds,
is also complained Of as containing too
much alum. / was informed that II any OF
The veterans should venture 20 speak 10 the
cook about such matters even the latter
would reply that the gate stood open tor
those who we're dissatisfied with the 1000.
ii was further stated that the coal furnished
g. the Home did not come up TO tne marx
and that II contained good deal OF dust.
which rendered the heating power OF the
coal less effective.
SOME DID NOT SIGN.
In speaking of the sentiment among the
inmates, the old soldiers whom ! cOnyersed
with declared that the com plants were gem
eral but that number of their comrades
had declined to sign the petition for fear
that they might be turned out of the Home.
The men at present in the hospital and the
inmates who only recently have been Rd-
mitted were not asked to sign the paper.
9ATTERs INVESTIGATED.
The board of visitors of the Soldiers
Home referred the matter 10 the executive
committee, TO which were added Judge h.
q. Minor and Colonel =. p. Reeve. This
committee met on Wednesday evening al
the Soldiers Home and the following mem
bers were present. Major n V. Randolph,
president of the board Major Thomas A..
Brander. Colonel John Murphy, Colonel 4.
p Reeve Judge j.. G. Minor and Joseph w.
Thomas The committee were accom-
panied by a stenograpler aud took deposit
tons from ten of the veterans who bad
signed the petition and from five inmates
who had not done so. Another meeting
matter will probably be decided.
STATE STEPPED IN.
Since the State has stepped in 10 render
tie Home substantial financial assistance
the affairs of that institution have. II pos
siDle become Of greater interest TO the gem
era public.
The act passed by the Legislature at its
last session. which makes an annual appTo-
pr.aton on the part of the State Tor the
maintenance and support OF the Soldiers
Home reads as follows.
Whereas the annual appropriation now
made by the State TO the Soldiers Home is
entirely inadequate for the support ana
maintenance of the present inmates therein
and those Confederate soldiers aud sailors
vino desire and deserve 10 be cared Tor there
by the State: and whereas r. +. Lee Camp,
No. 1. Confederate Veterans, Is the owneS
OF the twenty-five acres OF ground ana
buiidinge thereon now used for sad Home,
which property said camp Is whhng ana
deslrOus of granting TO the State when II
ceases 70 be used for It's present purposes IN
consideration OF an ample annua! Gppro-
priatiOn by the Stale Tor the support OF
those Confederate soldiers and sailors Who
are now or may hereafter properly become
inmates OF said Home therefore.
J. Be 10 enacted by the General Assembly
OF Virginia, That sum not exceeding tnrtv
thousand $50 OOO) dollars. be. and the same
Is hereby. annually appropriated ont OF the
treasury of the State for the support ana
maintenance OF said home.
QUARTERLY REroRrs.
2 That the treasurer of the board Of Fisi-
tors of said Soldiers Home shall quarterly
report tO the Auditor Of Public Accounts
the number Of inmates IN said home. and
as long as the number OF said inmates ex-
coed fifty C50) tho Auditor shall issue hls