The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-03
The STATES lNGRATITUDE.
Even The Winter Mini is So UDk ri,
Says The Governor.
SPECIAL MESSAGE TO THE ASSEMBLY
In Which lie Urges the Passage OF DIN
Appropriating a sufficient sum to the
Old Soldiers Preseryeth The Zee Mon"-
ment and Copy Contradictions

Governor OEerraN yesterday HoAHi"o
sent 10 the General Assembly a message
recommending that at least three mea-
sures be passed before adjournment. Ihe
first bill which the Chief Executive calls
attention to is one appropriaung SUI
ncient amount to the Soldiers Home TO
retain there the twenty-five veterans who
otherwise would have to be discharged.
The second bill is to appropriate the sum
of $500. or so much thereof as may be
necessary for enclosing and preserving
the Lee monument, the last Dlli re-
commended by the Governor is the app
preparation Of 5000. or so mum as may
be necessary. FOR the copying ~ me { on
federate rolls deposited In the War De-
partment at Washington. The message
reads as follows:
To the General Assembly:
Your session has nearly expired by
Limitation: unless it is extended legisla-
ton must cease at noon on tomorrow
You have been most assiduous in the
discharge of your duties, and faithful IN
the performance Of the high trust reposed
I'm YOU. In your service you have dis
played an earnestness and zeal, and
devotion to the best interests OF the
Commonwealth, which has been generally
characteristic Of Vrgnla's legislators.
Knowing that you are tired ana worn
and anxious 10 return TO your families
and private business, / IN loatn 10 s,g-
gest an extension OF your session FOR
even a single day but nay sense OF du-
l. ID q
dead. duty to Nrginia's history and VIZ
cinia's heroes as well as her tame-to
recommend and urge an extension long
enough % pass at least three measures.
First A bin appropriatng sum sur
ncient 10 maintain In the Soldiers Home
all OF the present inmates. und'iatahd
that IL the present appropriation OF
$4,000 is not Increased the Board OF the
Home will be compelled for want or
money. TO send away twenty-five OF the
inmates who are now being maintained
and supported there. II this is done, Wnat
will become OF these old veterans Where
will they go2 Who viii care To- tncmf
Penniiess and homeless. they must be-
come beggars or pensioners upon private
charity. or seek shelter under the roof
OF the poor houses Of their RESPECTIVE
counties. Should they be made 10 suffer
such humiliation? Is Virginia to be re-
preached for ingratitude. which In the
language Of a great man sums up all the
evil Of which a State can He guilty. j.
she 10 stand before the world as turning
away from an elemOsynary institution
twenty-five OF her old s0ldi ~. woo gave
four best years OF their lives In the de-
fence Of a cause which she espoused,
and are now bending under inhrmities re-
sulting from advanced age or disease
contracted or wounds inflicted I'm her scr-
vice. On Virginia, with her LFl.CD pep
ulation, place herself In the humlllaiirg
position ,f refusing to take care Of TWEEN
ty.five 'repid and poverty tricken men
who I'm ,e vig0r OF their manhood risk
ed their yes and barred their breasts 10
the leadei hail Of battle In the yindica-
ton Of y, rights and the maintenance
OF her hOr.r?
BLOW. blow. then winter wind. thou art
not 50 unkind" as a States ingratitude
"I ezc. freeze. thou bitter sky. thou dost
not lite so nigh as services and sacri-
Ire forgot"
Second \ bin making an appropria-
ton for the enclosure and preservation
0f tlc Lee Monument
Th.. is the property OF the State. ac-
o-aieI by the STATE from the Monuw M
A.-1riati0r So ther tie city O; Rich
.u.i .ar .rr r'.afe person IAN eXpcri
0H f Poi f'ptiug IL Virginia impicfy
or beast tered into 'l obligation %
,r.s.rrf I and protect from the van
.a hand wei improve and beau
trr 'bc little plat upon which IL stands.
Us neglected condition IO-d8y Is a dis
grace 20 fhe state. and a repr0ach 10
every Nrgnian. Every stranger weHas I
his way 10 this spot. expecting. OF course. /
10 see evidences Of peoples pride and ,
love in its care and protection. hncing.
however, only superb monument I'M I
yelled six years ago. In an open Held 1
without an inch Of curbing. or a foot OF /
grass around IL, no railing. and a dildpl- f,
dated shanry called a keepers house. In I
June next there will be mighty gather I
ing OF the surviving soldiers Of the Con- +
federate army In this capital sity OF The
Confederacy. They viii come from every
State and by the thousands. Not one I
OF them will depart until he has visited .
the monument erected 20 perpetuate toe H.
memory OF their great commander. How .
these old veterans visiting. most Of fn.tH T
for the last time. this sacred spot wi be .
disappointed and grieyed when thcy dis
cover that the Commonwealth thai rHfe .
birth to this illustrious man. ard $50.
has added so much lustre 10 Pc hs..f
has paid no attention 20 this rHnnr. I
reared by private Donation aIi .i.r .f
the contribution n a cent ',Nr hr t..-
sury Can Wc AFFORD Ia he fn t4.t
position, and subject OUT irsf I0 Ilt
criticism which will neces-8r'il IeINAl
VIII not our state pride a N.N Uuf
love for the memory OF Robert T.. Ice
prompt us TO take steps al once 10 pro-
nerly care for preserve and protect this