The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-14

Debating Society,"" by Miss Allen, and
others by Thomas Lacock and Thomas
Barnes; trio, "Oh, Restless Sea-" by
Messrs Pratt, Beach and Young; song
by William H. McGarvy; an original poem
by John DAILY ; a quartet, "To the Bravest, +"
Messrs. Pratt, Young Beach and Slain; q
song by John Hancock, and marching
Through Georgia" by everybody, with
music by the home band.
Governor Rowland's address was one de-
serving of more than passing mention.
He thanked the management for the honor
of presiding over the meeting and having
the opportunity of addressing the veterans
and their friends on the subject of Soldiers
Homes generally and the Pacific branch
particularly. Said he:
The public, while understanding and APPROX
ing the object of soldiers homes, does not fully
appreciate the conditions governing them
Possibly the leading misapprehension in the
minds of those not familiar with the subject is
that these homes are merely charitable insti-
tutions for the support of INDECENT and infirm
men, who would otherwise be tax on the
community. 1t is, of course, a recognized fact
that to care for the old soldiers and sailors is
disabled defenders of our country have right
10 be cared for is not fully realized.
1neTe Is no I6ellng OF dependence impressed
upon any member. He is under no obligations
for the food, shelter and care he receives, for
he has earned the right to these things. AS
the president of the board of managers ex-
pressed it: 1.-THE provision is not a charity, but
is reward to the brave and deserving and is
their right, to be forfeited only by bad conduct
at the home or on conviction of heinous
crimes"
Having this in mind, it is fact-which l
trust visiting comrades will rememb Der and
speak of when they return to their respective
places of res1dence-that any soldier or sailor
eligible. by reason of service, disability and
residence for admission TO a soldiers home
can enter its gates with.the feeling that it Is his
home. and that there he can be cared for,
grateful of course Tor his country's sense of
justice, but with no feeling of dependence.
You or I-comrades, any of us-need not lower
the flag of manhood one hairs breadth on be-
ing accepted as member and entered on the
muster roll of the Nations welcome defenders
who are thus provided for in their old age. The
uncertainties of time and fortune are such
that no one can be sure of the future. Is it
not a satisfaction to every soldier and sailor tn
know that here is a home where he can come if
need be?
The speaker gave statistics showing that
the mum Der in the various National homes.
including the 1900 at the Pacific branch,
was 20, S55: and in the State homes, in
Guiding California's at Youutville, with
446, there were 1851. the grand total being
2S,S16. The average age was sixty years.
The records showed that there was but one
survivor of the war of 1912 in the entire
mum Der of homes in 1894. At the same time
there were 438 Mexican war veterans. Ac-
cording to the speakers calculations, in
1894 there would be only six survivors OF
the civil war in the Soldiers Homes. Con-
tinuing he said:
The main requirements for admission to the
home are, first, an honorable discharge from
the United States service in the Mexican or
civil war; second disability which prevents
the applicant from earning mis- living by labor;
third, residence in the territory west of the
Rocky Mountains. AS a rule it is better for
the applicant to write to the home and state
his case. He can then ascertain If he is eligi-
the home without knowing whether or not he
can be admitted. At present it is over
and applicants are informed that
they must wait until additional room is pro-
vided. The management makes every effort to
care for all who apply, If they are eligible, but
sometimes the extreme limit is reached, be-
yond which consideration OF safety and COM
fort will not all w us to go.
There aresnow 1925 members present. About
a fifth of them are given employment in the
different kinds of work required to carry on
the institution OF the 305 men on the payroll
only thirty are civilians.
/ want TO make mention OF the fact that our
veterans have the good will of the people
about us and the sold iers feel tueir thanks are
especially due for the Kind consideration and
sympathy from the devoted women of the
Relief Corps, the ladies of the Grand Army
comrades of the posts aud those