Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-11
The Legislature and the ApprOpris-
lions for the Soldiers Home and
for Pensions.

for Pensions.
Since my return home ! have been
asked. ''Why was Ii the Legislature
hesitated SO long in giving 5000 to the
old veterans When l explained, the
veterans who heard me said they had
not understood the matter before. Per-
NIT me through your columns. in JUS
tiCe to the Finance Committee of the
Senate, to have this letter inserted. In
the general appropriation bill for the
fiscal year ending september, 1886, and
September. 1897, Virginia approprlates for
each year $4,000 for pensions TO the
manned and disabled Confederate SOL
ders and the widows Of Confederate SOL
diers. and $4,000 for the Soldiers Home
in Richmond. The above items were
passed without any Experimentation.
Efforts were made before the Senate
Committee to make the amount $4,000
for the Soldiers Home. The committee
declined to make 1t $4,000, and made 1t
$4,000. When the appropriation bill came
up in the House a motion was made
to increase the appropriation from 10000
to sS5,00O--this was defeated. Thus the
bill passed with only $4,000 for each
year for the Soldiers Home. The Board
of Visitors OF the Soldiers Home then
had a meeting and discharged twenty
the appropriation of 10000 was not SUM-
Client TO take care of and support 253
veterans. Then the Governor Of Virginia
sent message 20 the General Assembly
urging that some provisions be made TO
care for the twenty-five old veterans.
The message of the Governor was re-
ferred to the Finance Committee or the
Senate and the committee reported. that
while the committee felt the deepest in
terest In the old veterans, yet the
| finances of the State were such that
the committee could not recommend any
| further appropriation. Then separate
bill appropriating 5000 In addition to
| the $50, 900 was introduced in the House
and passed 1t came to the Senate and
was passed, Notwithstanding the report
| Of the Finance Committee. Thus the
| twenty-five old veterans were not turned
away homeless but retained at the Sol
diers' Home.
Do not Judge the Finance Committee
| harshly That committee Is composed OF
veterans and sons Of veterans-men of
ability--and as willing to help old vete-
| rams as any men in Virginia. but making
| such appropriations as they thought the
revenues of the State could possibly
| stand. they conscientiously decided the
matter, regretting deeply the inability OF
/ virginia " give iaOit tboh fSVtOFN W sh~
| Soldiers Home.
| regret exceedingly that the Senate
refused to appropriate $1,000 to have the
Virginia muster rolls Of the Confederates
| in the War Department at Washington
| copied and brought to Richmond. ] did
| all could to get the appropriation. but
| failed. The Legislature appropriated
| $500 to have the statue of General r. f.
| Lee fixed. ] am not member OF the
Finance Committee" and do not think
| any censure should rest on the commit
| tee; for this committee had a most dell
| cate and responsible task to fix and re-
| port appropriations within the revenues
| Of the State; this they have done ably
and we'll II the Senate adds to the
approximations and there should be q
| deficit, the committee Is not to blame
| However, do not think any deficit
| win result from appropriations made
| Rather than have the old veterans
| turned away from the Home" I would
| have voted to increase taxes from n
| cents on the 800 to Al cents. Nor do
! want to see a Virginia Legislature turn
| a deaf ear to the wants of the old vete-
| rams, nor let the splendid appeal OF
| the Richmond ladies in behalf OF the
| old veterans pass by unheeded. MOI
| many years before appropriations for old
| veterans will cease. Just as long as one
veteran remains, and he, needs help.
believe Virginia will do her part. vete'
| rams. the Legislature has appropriated, ir
all, $4,000 This Is the best that could
| be done.
| think I see a way where the Cover
| nor OF virginia will be able to have ths
| rolls copied II II can be done I know
| he will do so-for the daring. dashing
| gallant Executive Of vIrsinia--a Confede'
| rate veteran--feels the deepest interest
| in having this work done during Cleve-
lands Administration. No one can say
Who win be Mr. Cleveland's successor
| II possible. let M have the muster rolls
| ]. N. STuBBS.
| woods Cross Roads, Va. March 9. 1885
i
| Baltinose ana Newport News.
(wssbington Post)
& - 49, d. &nr ~ rrrua.