The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-01-01
THE NEW ~COMMANDANT.
COL. CHARLES y. BIGGER rs NOW IN
CHARGEAT sOLDIERs' HOME.
The Installation Ceremonies Took Place
Yesterday at the 1nstitution-New Rules
To Govern the Veterans.

IlOiit l-SlfIudt dlAtlltOOh ~ - w
when the installation of Colonel Charles
=. Bigger as commandant was 10 take
place. The following gentlemen met at
the Office OF the institution: Major ".
v. RAJ dolph. president; Colonel a.. j..
PHILLIP s, Colonel \. W. Archer, Captain
T.. u. Reeve, Major Thomls A. Brander.
Major James W. Pegram, Colonel John
Murphy, Messrs. Joseph W. Thomas and
James r. Cray.
Major Randolph called the meeting to
order, which, he said, was an adjourned
one i'm order 10 install Colonel Bigger as
commandant OF the Home in accordance
with the provisions Of a resolution passed
previously by the Board. He then sub
United a set Of rules for the government
OF the Home, which had been drawn by
a special committee appointed for that
purpose from the Board.
The rules were adopted after some little
discussion. during which the members eX-
| pressed the hope that the rules would he
strictly enforced. The members present
then repaired TO the mess hall, where the
Inmates Of the Home had been assembled
in the meantime by General Terry.
Major Randolph stated that several
months ago General Terry had rendered
his resignation as a c-omnandant Of the
Home, the same TO take effect on January
LIST, and that thereupon the Board had
appointed Colonel Charles II. Bigger as
his successor. After introducing the new
commandant to the old soldiers, Major
Randolph explained that three meetings
ago a committee had been appointed by
the Board TO establish new rules for the
Home. by which the same should be gov
erned thereafter. lie added that these
rules would be enforced, and that copies
of the same would be hung up in the Vari-
GUS cottages. The rules read as follows:
First.-Be it resolved by the Board of
Visitors of Lee Camp Soldiers Home,
That from and after the passage Of these
resolutions, the following shall be the
rules and articles by which the veterans
Of Lee Camp Soldiers Home shall be
governed:
~Second.-Be II also resolved, That all
disorders n negIects which the veterans
of the said Home may be guilty Of to the
prejudice of good order and discipline,
though not mentioned in the following
rules and articles, are 10 be taken cOgniz-
ance Of by the Board Of Visitors. and the
offenders shall suffer such punishment as
shall be inflicted upon them by the said
Board.
Third.-And be it further resolved. tina
the rules and regulations by which the
veterans Of Lee Camp Soldiers Home
have heretofore been governed shall
hencefOrth be void and Of no effect. eX-
cept 50 far 9s may relate to any transact
lions under them prior to the promulga-
ton of these resolutions.
Violation Of any Of the following arti-
cles will subject the offender to restraint,
q reprimand, or dismissal from the Home,
at the discretion of the Board of Nisi-
tors.
Article Livery veteran now at the
Lee Camp Soldiers Home and every
veteran who may hereafter be admitted
into the said Home, shall subscribe TO
these rules and articles. The refusal on
the part of any veteran of the Home to
comply with the provisions of this arti-
Gle shall cause his dismissal from the
Home
Article HIT is earnestly recommended
to all veterans of the Home diligently TO
attend divine service, and it is also re-
commanded to them To attend the funeral
services Of their departed comrades. Any
veteran who behaves indecently or ire
ver6Ltly thereat shall, for his first o~ffense.
be brcUght before the Board Of Visitors,
there TO be publicly and severely repri-
handed by the president thereof, and for
the second offense shall be dismissed from
the Home.
In%toXication is strictly prohibited.
No gambling is allowed.
No veteran will be permitted 10 sell.
exchange, or give away any article Of
clothing or property furnished by the
Home. wilfully i~njuring the furniture or
any part of the Home, or any property
pertaining thereto.
Quarrelling. fighting or disorderly con-
duct.
Using %profane, obscene, or abusive lam
gUage.
Veterans shall perform such duties as
policing the grounds, beautifying the
Home. and such other duties as the COM
mandant may direct.
Pretending sickness or lameness to avoid
duty.
Each veteran shall keep his person,
clothing, bedding and quarters clean, and
shall battle and wash himself thoroughly
at least once a week if his condition will
permit it, and his hair and beard shall be
kept trimmed and in order.
Veterans shall observe roper respect
in addressing he officers of the Home.
and be polite and courteous TO each other.
All veterans are required TO obey strict
" and execute with alacrity and good
faith the lawful orders Of all officers APP
pointed over them.
Any veteran who may have cause for
grievance may apply in writing through
the commandant TO the Board of Nisi-
tors Of the Home, whose action must be
accepted as final.
No veteran shall absent himself from
the Home without written permission
from the commandant.
Major Randolph briefly spoke on the
rules which, he said, had been made as
brief and lenient as possible, for the in
titutiOn was a Home and not a prison,
and tho Board did not want TO exercise
any more control than they would over
their own children. They believed. after
an experience of nine years. hat about
80 per cent. of the inmates were good. but
there were a few unruly men, and the
Board had decided to stop their bad be-
havior. All those who did not care 10
subscribe 10 above rules, should better
send in their designations, for the Board
the hearty cooperation Of the
inmates.
The Home had been built by the charita-
BILE public, who had supported the same
for two years without the assistance of
the State. When the latter appropriated
$40. 900 a year for the institution, II cost
SIS. 900 TO support the same.
When the bill was before the Legisla-
ture. which provided for an increase OF
his amount to $50, 900 a year, some Of the
very inmates Of the Home tried to in
huence some of the members Of the Leg
TO vote against the measure, be-
cause they wanted to see the money so
at the rate of $3.50 per in
mate. to be paid out individually. The
as finally passed. provided
for the support of 200 inmates. but 1t
was to be hoped that with proper econo-
and the continuance of private con-
tributions the number could be increased
to go.
There was no favoritlsin to be shown
the institution, and the member of the
Board would endeavor TO do their best
in the interest of the Home. but they