Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-03

the Senate Mr.. Stubbs spoke briefly upon
Il. He said the committee In charge OF
the Lee monument denied that any van
dars hand had been laid upon the statue;
there had been no chipping, but Improve
ments were needed. In regard 10 the re-
commentator that an appropriation be
made for the Soldiers Home sufficient TO
prevent twenty-five members from being
turned out. he was willing. he said. TO
vote for an increase in taxation of ] cent
on the 800. II necessary. In order TO take
care OF these veterans. He moved that
the message be referred to the Finance
Committee. and the motion prevailed. al
though Chairman Wickham said mis- COM
mlttee had done the very best that they
possibly could.
Mr. Mushbach offered a resolution look
ing TO extending the session a week. but
withdrew IL upon being assured that the
Finance Committee would report during
the afternoon on the matters referred TO
by the Governor.
THE COMMITTEES REPORT.
A short while later the Finance Com
mittee submitted the following report,
which was laid on the table;
"Your committee had already considered
the matter Of the additional appropria-
ton to the Soldiers Home, and in view
of the straitened condition OF the state
Treasury, had concluded that IL would be
unwise to increase the appropriation. This
appropriation Is now $4,000 annually.
"Your committee was not unmindful or
the wants OF the Confederate veterans
and in addition to the general appropria-
tion of $4,000 and the 10000 above re-
ferred to- have recommended the passage
of a number of special bills granting pen.
sions to MANNED and disabled Confede-
rate soldiers. sailors and marines. and TO
the widows of MANNED and disabled Con-
federate soldiers. sailors. and marines"
I'm that way II was the judgment OF the
committee that greater good to the
greater number could be accomplished
than could possibly be done by any in
creased appropriation to the Soldiers
Home, where the appropriation is based
upon allowance of $50 per man.
Your committee was impelled TO this
reason because of the fact that in its
judgment the present condition of the
finances of this State would not justify
the General Assembly I'm granting both
the increase asked for by the managers
of the Soldiers Home and give the spe-
cial relief asked for.
1T was understood that this conclusion
of the committee was approved by the
action Of the Senate and that this body
believes that no relief can be given to a
greater number Of Confederate veterans,
who are dear TO this body as they are
TO any person on earth, than was given
by the action of the committee.
"Your committee is also under the i'm
preston that this is the view taken by
the House of Delegates. and points to the
action OF the House voting down
the increased appropriation as an
evidence that it Is of one mind with the
Senate on this point
Your committee has already recon-
mended the passage of a bill I'm regard 10
| the preservation of the Lee monument,
and the same has passed the Senate and
been communicated TO the House of Del
egates.
"The condition OF the State Treasury is
such that the copying of the rolls Of Con-
federate soldiers cannot now be provided
for, but the same can be done at some
! future day, when the Treasury is better
| able to bear the expense. and there is no
danger of the rolls being lost in the
mean time"
IMPROVE MONUMENT GROUNDS.
The Senate took up and passed without
opposition the bill approprlating 500 to
improve the grounds around the Lee
monument.