Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-14
PLEA FOR THE VETS.
The Governors Earnest appeal in Dshalf
Of the Old S0.uisrS.
STATE SHOULD CARE ron THEM
Nis Esceilcncy In Forwarding The
Hcport of the soldiers Home Board
TO the Legislature Strongly Argues
the Claims of Needy Confederntcs.

Governor o'Ferrall yesterday sent to
the General Assembly the following spe-
ciai message, which was read and appro-
pT.ately referred:
Richmond. Va. January 10. 1896.
To the General Assembly:
herewith submit the report OF thV
Board Of Visitors of r. Il. Lee camp
No. /. Confederate Veterans. Soldiers
Home. for the years 1885 and 1870.
The founders Of this institution have
done q noble work. and they nave rem
dered a service which only those appre-
ciating the sacrifices. hardships, ana SUI
ferings OF the Confederate soldier would
have undertaken. With 4 devotion to tn-r
unfortunate comrades stesdfast and I'M
selfish. they have iabored for more than
eleven years 70 provide a comfortable
resting placs with food and clothing for
those who served in Virginia commands,
and are now without means and physi-
cally unable to earn a suppoiT.
With great force the president OF the
board refers 10 the contract OF the camp
with the State. "The home was bought
paid for. and equipped by r. e. Lee
Camp. No. ], c. v, OF Richmond. and
for two years supported by their private
funds" BY act approved March 3, 1892,
the State accepted the property from me
camp possession 10 BE- given at the emu
Of twenty-five years from that date)
agreeing, in consideration or the transfer
10 appropriate for the next twenty-five
years annually the sum Of $3.50 Tor the
support OF eaCA inmate Of the home, I'M
less the rumbsr OF inmates falls below
fifty. I'm which event the sum of 500 per
capita is TO be paid, the Whole not TO ex-
coed $4,000 in any one year
NOT a HEAVY BURDEN.
In the judgment Of the most astute
business men. a very large proportion OF
the money advanced by the state FOR the
entire period, if the maximum sum is
reached annually. will certainly be re-
turned when the State comes into the
possession OF the property, so that the
care and support of her dependent SOL
diers Will not bear heavily upon Virginia,
and may even prove TO be a profitable
investment
From the establishment Of the home,
December !. 1884. TO the 3lst day of De-
cember, 1885, there had been LOO ad-
missions. from II counties and II cities OF
this State and 20 other States, ana
on the Slst Gay of December. 1895. tnsre
were 253 on the rolls. and So APP
plications OH file, awaiting vacancies.
In view of these facts. and particularly
of the increasing appeals for admission
that come from every direction in the in
terest of those who have a right TO look
10 Virginia for help in their weakness
and distress, the Board Of Visitors of the
home ask at your hands an additional
appropriation of $4,000 this year and $4,000
next wear: 5000 of the appropriation of
$1,000 this year to be expended in the
erection of more buildings. In the opinion
of the president of the board the in
creased appropriation OF $4,000 will not
he required for more than six years, for
he thinks from the end of that time in
the course of nature. the number will
decrease annually, and the regular APP
preparation will be sufficient for the sup
port Of the home.
A FELLOW FEELING.
Looking over the lists of the members
OF your honorable bodies / find few who
We're not Confederate soldiers themselves
or who have not the blood of Confederate
soldiers In their veins. / find none who
Will not, in my opinion, respond to the
call for the fulflment of Virginias i'm
piled obligation, by providing as far as
possible the means for the enlargement
of the home-this pleasant retreat for
Virginia's dependent veterans, that those
now outside of its precincts may be adj
United, and the further means for their
support when they enter
1 am sure you will all appreciate the
feeling OF a Confederate soldier, when
in order to keep body and soul united
he is compelled to beg from door TO door,
or so TO a county or city poor-house.
He may be In poverty and want, but
the same proud spirit that led him 10
the cannon's mouth with unblanched
cheek still lives. and it is too bad for the
State he served so well when he was
young. strong. and vigorous. now that he
is old, weak. broken in health. or suf-
1ering from wounds, and penniless. TO
crush that spirit and force him into the
position of beggar or pauper.
l feel that i need not appeal TO you
to strain every nerve TO meet the right
eous demands OF these old soldiers FOR
shelter. food. and clothing, especially
when the additional amount required this
year. If levied upon the real and personal
property of the Commonwealth would not
exceed $40 of cent on the 800, and only
about 10 OF l cent next year. If neces-
sary, let US economic little here and
drop of a little there that the urgent
and unselhsh request OF the Board OF
Visitors OF the home may be granted.
know II this aid is extended we viii all
eel better when your session closes than
We will II an adjournment comes without
J favorable response 10 the pleadngs OF
hose who have a right TO expect better
eatment.
CHARLES T. O'FERRALL,
Governor.
The Report of the BOnrd.
The report Of the Board Of Visitors OF
the home made under the signature of