The record-union., 1896-12-25

paid to a member, who acts, or claims
To act, as the Treasurer OF the board
and custodian of the funds, and tbs pc
t1tioner believed he never had any au-
thority to receive any of the funds ap-
propriated; that he is not an officer au-
thorized to receive or disburse the
funds; that he is not responsible for
them to amy person, or any person re-
sronsible to him, for keeping the funds,
and that often, at intervals, the Treas
urer was not under bonds to warrant
the safe keeping of the funds.
Specification t. That the association
has long been conducting and running
in its corporate name a saloon upon its
grounds at which liquors are dispensed
to the inmates and others, and that the
| moneys derived from the saloon and
from quarterly pensions paid by the
Government to the inmates of the home
| are paid to and deposited with the
! Treasurer. The Treasurer is under no
bond for the safe keeping of the funds.
In referring to the last named charge
| and specifications, Secretary of State
Brown says that the reason assigned
| ty the officers for the necessity of hav-
| ing an office in San Francisco is due
| " Liz IoiI So huliIUcI III oippIitclAiA'7 ASA
| admission to the home coming from
| tEere. The office is said to be MAIN
ttained for the convenience of those un-
able to bear the expense of going TO the
| home No data is at hand to show the
number of admissions from San Fran
cisco, but for the year ending June 81,
1896, 30 We're admitted to the home.
| The additional expense of the San
Francisco office was found to be S2Oo
month, including the salary for clerk
ard payment of the rent. The Treas
urer, who receives $50 per month. would
he necessary even if he were located at
the home, so that that official is not to
| be considered an additional expense.
The work Of the office could be trans
| ferred to the home with additional ex-
pense for extra clerical help only. The
actual extra cost for maintaining the
office is about 81 800 per annum. If
/ the railroad fares of the rejected apph-
cants are paid by the associatiOn-the
office at San Francisco being abolished
| it is possible the greater part of the
| extra 81 500 would be absorbed in re-
! turning them to the places whence
! they came. He believed there was no
cause for complaint. The Commandant
| Informed the Secretary, so the report
| related, that no further Improvement
would be necessary, and the repairs in
| the future could be made out of the
| revenues from the canteen sales of pro-
| ducts and contributions. If the prop
| erty were decided to the State there
would be an end to the questions Of re-
pairs and Improvements.
1t is unnecessary, Secretary Brown
/ contends, for the Treasurer to give a
| bond under present conditions. That
officer qualities to the directors of the
| association in a good and sufficient
| bond. The Treasurer, under the Act
! passed, is the only person entitled by
law to receive the money, and he alone
| viii the Controller recognize in drawing
| his warrant.
| The charges in specification No. 4,
| that saloon is kept at the home, ana
| all the other charges in the same speci-
| fication are true, except the statement
| that the Treasurer is not under bond.
| The defense of the association for con-
| Quoting the canteen is that the resi-
| dents of the home who imbibe are
there limited in quantity and served
with better liquor. The results are
said to be satisfactory.
The Act of March Z, 1888, page -
of the statutes, under section 9, reads:
No money appropriated by the State
under this Act shall be expended either
| in improvements or in the erection Of
new buildings for such institution
The Secretary thinks it very doubtful
whether the section quoted has been
complied with.
Secretary Brown states that the man
| agement of the home is in good hands,
and its affairs are conducted in an
| economic manner The building is in
excellent condition. The inmates could
not be better fed, clothed and cared for
/ in any institution in the country.
| The books are kept with care and
| exaotness. and office details conducted
/ in a businesS-like manner. No cause
for criticism can be discovered with the
! general conduct of the institution The
/ Beard of Directors are honorable men.
and being ex-soldiers their hearts are
! in the good work. The so month
paid to the Treasurer is perfectly legit-
innate. In addition to disbursing the
| money received for the home, he handles
all the pension money, and earns every
dollar of his salary. The Command
}
/ in the right place. There are go per-
sons residing at the home, and the
! Secretary explains that he never saw
a better conducted institution, whether
public or private.
Some friction" the report relates,
has existed among the members of
the Board Of Directors, and also else
where among some of the members of
/ the Grand Army of the Republic, over
the affairs OF the association but it is
more Like a family quarrel and does
not concern the public The bicker-
! irgs do not interfere with the welfare
Of the States charge
! L would recommend two PROPOSE
| tiOns: Frst-That the Directors be
asked to apply to the next annual en-
Icampment. by whom they were elected,
! for permission to deed the property
| 10 the State, making the home a State
/ Institution. with the understanding