The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-11-24
HOME OF THE VETERANS.
THE DEBATE ON IT'S ACCEPTANCH
UNDHR WAY.

The Developm euts Justify the Predic-
ton That the Debate Is to Be a
Stubborn One-Mr. Smith of Gwin-
nett Opens the Debate by Advocate
ing Acceptance of the Property.
ATLANTA, GA, Nov. 23.--The debate on
the soldiers home bill began in the Houss
this morning and the developments of ths
session justified the predictions Of stubborn
contention over the home that have been
made all along. After devoting the session
TO the bill It was finally undisposed Of and
will lie on the table until the House sees No
to take it up again, which will probably
be next week.
When the hour for the discussion Of the
BILL, as the special order, arrived nearly
every member was in his seat and the
galleries well filed.
| ADVOCATED BY TRUSTEE.
After tho bill was read, Mr.. Smith Of
Gwinnett. trustee Of the home, took the
| floor He has been one of the most ardent
workers for the home. as well as FOR the bill.
Mr.. Smith went into the history Of the
building of the home. ''The small poli-
ticians have abused the city Of Atlanta ON
the ground that the soldiers home was a
matter OF real estate speculation" The home
was located in Atlanta by the unbiased
votes Of the state. IL was located here be-
cause 1t was the place for it. Fulton county
gave more than the balance of the state for
the erection Of the home. He said the prop
erty never cost the state a cent, but would
be- splendid Investment for the state.
ONLY Sl5 900 ASKED
The only thing asked was an appropria-
tion Of $4,000 per aunum for the support
of the home. He spoke of the Texas appro-
pratiou Of $40 acres to each crippled
veteran. Responsible men would pay the
state the value Of the home property every
cent Of the appropriations made for ehe
support of the home with 10 per cent. in-
terest after its purposes ars fulfilled. He
answered the charge that the bill intended
70 separate aged couples and that IL would
rse coercion in placing old soldiers within
tho home. In closing, he said; ECONOMY
who would write economy by the side
of the name of one who bled at Shiloh.
who is now hobbling the streets in poverty
and ragsl Would the spirit OF Lee and
jackson. IL rising from their tombs, vote
for economyl
FLEMING SUPPORTS THE BILL.
Mr.. Fleming of Richmond followed In an
able speech for the bill. He said: II have
heard that this bill Will be defeated. I do
not believe 1t, and will not believe 1t until
the vote has been called and it fails to Reb
eghty-aight votes" AT the last session the
bill had been condemned In secret caucus
and came to the House already defeated.
he trusted now that every man was FREQ to
vote as he though best and hoped that no ons
had it in his heart to vote against the bill.
He thought the pension law defective be-
cause IL failed to provide for some OF the most
paaiV ~ tba NODfadAgntQ VofarnuR Mhnea r-hf
wers not wounded, bat who are Just as
needy and who have no homes nor family
TO care for them. This is the class this bin
seeks TO relieve.
AS A SPECULATION.
Mr.. Fleming proposed to accept the homs
and while the constitutional Amendments
proposed by the opponents OF the bill In
pending sell the home, as eau certainly bs
done for S100 600, and send the old soldiers
home with the gentleman's pension in their
pocket and $4,000 In the state treasury
after $4,000 for two years. support has
been taken out.
When interrupted by Mr.. Sears of
Webster, leading opponent Of the home
bill, Mr.. Sears having remarked that tina
next legislature would be as economic az
this one and manage % fiud money for the
pensions proposed in his "omnibus" bill.
Mr.. Fleming stated that he hoped the next
House would be better one than the lass
and present one.
Mr. Sears in bis speech opposed the bill
accepting the home. He thought 1t would
| be a burden to the state. and while 1t pro-
| vides for 81. 900 now, II will want more
some other time He preferred to have his
| bill amending the constitution pass, which
provides for pensioning the old soldier as
| his home.
HARRISON OBJECTS TO ACCEPTANCE.
Mr.. Harrison of Quitman. opposed ao-
coptiDg the home. He opposed 1t on ao-
count Of the expense IL would entail upon
the state. He said the home belonged to
the trustees, and they could run IL by pri-
yate contributions or sell Il. He Thoughts
there would be few who would avail then-
selves off the homo. The position of the
opponents of the home, no said, is very in
consistent First they claim that 10 will
prove an elephant IN the way of expense,
while but $15 900 Is allowed for its suppors
per year, and then they claim that the old
soldiers will not partake of its benefits.
Clearly IL there are no inmates the expense
of running the home,can not prove a greah
burden to the state. at least greater than the
$4,000 asked for, but which the opponents
insist will not meet the future demands,
even with 40 inmates.