The morning call., 1893-11-12
NO INCIDENTALS.
rIerriman'S Little Bill Is
Pruned.
Veterans Home Directors Refuse to
Allow Expenses at Sacramento.
Postmaster at the Home.

When President w. G. Burnett called
the meeting OF directors of the Veteran
Home to der las night, at 800 Sansome
street, E. 81. HerrIck, Samuel Deal, Will
liam j. Ruddick. II. T. Hobbert. George
81. Stevens and John c. Currer were
present
The construction of steam-heaiiDg ap-
paratus, to cost S2750, was recommended
for the home by the building and grounds
committee, and was ordef ed by the board.
Chairman Herrick of the building and
grounds committee thought that it would
be advisable to have a guardhouse estab-
Iished at the Yountyille institution for Of
tending veteran inmates Ruddick OPP
posed the idea. on the grounds that ii
would not be legal. nor in conformity with
the spirit of laws on personal rights.
you can't imprisOn an inmate" said he.
IF veteran dlsobeys rules or makes him.
self obnoxious he should be discharged
from the home.''
Stevens declared that in his opinion a
guardhous was necessity, as sometimes
an old soldier would get so "crazy drunk"
as to be dangerous. Self-preservation, he
held, was right the good We eran had, an d
either a guardhouse for offenders or a
large stockade building for the protection
of others ought to be built at once. The
matter was dropped without further de-
bate.
Director Hobbert read a report for the
auditing committee upon ex-COmmandant
Merriman's bill against the association
Merrman's account showed balance due
of S74 IS. The committee deducted: "In-
ciieDtals at Capitol, SAT 90; paid Newman
for assistants. $50; paid clerks, ETC., S45. -
a total of S122, which left balance due
the home of SAT 80. This bill was the
cause OF prolonged discussions at pre-
vious meeting, when Director Deal fought
it vigorously, ior the reason that Merri-
man had no authority 10 expend money In
furthering the interests of a bill at Sacra.
mento on belalf of the home.
An effort to appoint Rev. Mr.. Benham,
a Presbyterian clergyman, chaplain of he
home brought out the directors views on
religion.
Ruddick objected to any action that
would set up denOminational religion IN
the institution. The chairman remarked,
in reply to suggestion that an advertise
ment would attract ministers of various
denominations to the home, "Thsre is not
so much reliR on in Napa County that you
may expect people rushing to the home
every Sunday to hold services"
'Ob, yes, when there's So 30 in 1t for the
preacher" replied Stevens.
At last it was decided to notify the COM
mandant that he had power to mploy a
clergyman for Sundays services without
specifying any denomination. HoDbert
misunderstood the motion and asked for
information.
Its on religion, which you n eed badly"
was the pleasant reply Of Director Rud-
dick.
The board will begin on December 4 to
retain pensions of veterans at YOuntville,
excepting S.. The money retained will be
paid back when members wish to leave the
home.
Bills for October amounted to S7442 %,
and were allowed.
A complaint that the postmaster, ex-
Commandant Merriman, does not live at
the home pos Office was made by Stevens.
He held that the directors should have a
postmaster there who belonged 10 the in
stitutiGn.
II have the right to interfere in this
NATTER" said Merriman. II am post
master and have responsible bondsmen.
The Office is conducted by my sworn dep
uty, who belongs to the home."
Director Deal moved that the board
should communicate with the Postmaster
General, informing him that the post
master at the home was not a resident
there, and asking that the commandant
should be appointed In his place.
III you hunt the United States" said
Deal, you'll not find postoffi run as
this one is. The Government would not
tolerate it for a minute il aware of the cir
cumstances."
The motion was lost, as Merriman said
he would tender his resignation to the o. 81
tai authorities and recommend that the
commandment should succeed him.