Omaha daily bee., 1897-03-04
CONTROVERSY OVEN MILFORD HOME
Letters Exchanged Between Grand
Island and Lincoln Posts.


GRAND ISLAND, March S.-(Special.) y
The correspondence growing out Of the ef-
fort Of Lyon post, Grand Army of the Re-
public of this city to lay the facts relating
to the Soldiers homes before the legislat-
ure is growing interesting. The Farragut
post at Lincoln has written through its
adiuant as follows:
Your circular letter and enclosed petition
concerning the Soldiers home at Milford,
requesting that the same be closed, etc,
post last saturday % evening Gea at res regular
meeting. and | am instructed to say that
said petition was received in sorrow and
not in anger. The members of our post are
unable to comprehend the motive of any
comrade comrades who are seeking to
abandon or In otherwise cripple or restrict
soldiers home accommodations for our
aged infirm and poor comrades As VIC
RnS needed bsy oT 1ot be are % %
our comrades and will be needed worse in
the near future, We are, struggling for the
maintenance. of both homes because we
know that they are both needed. We are
making no fight on the Grand Island home
all MALICIOUS reports to the contrary not
Retrenchment in state expenses we know
Is necessary. but In the name of humanity
let us not be too ready to retrench at the
expense of our comrades at first. Let us
provide suitable homes tor the defenders of
may beD be reGred et tsG us as or comrades work work
in unison for him who bore the brunt of
the battle in the heat of the. conflict. and
for, his. widow and orphans. Let not local
iealousies or ambitions divide our eff rt 5
In this great work of caring for him who Is
no longer able to care for himself.
The local committee has sent the follow
ing reply:
Replying to yours of the 1sr inst we de-
sire to say that We yield to one IN our
desire to have the. needy, destitute soldiers
cared for and we have many times proved
the truth of this assertion.
We, might: If we wished, indite a stump
ctAn 1laI t,,ttI Il,
about the old flag and an appropriation and
assume a high and lofty moral. tone, but
we are not trying to threw dust in the eyes
OF the people We are simply standing for
what is right.
We contend that the state has amply
provided for the needy soldiers in the Grand
Island home; and those who are asking
for the maintenance of two or more such
institutions, are the ones who, in our opin-
restricting the accommodations afforded by
the same should they be successful in their
efforts; that the effort to unload upon the
state the Milford sanitarum property Is q
piece, of jobbery whereby the, owners seek
ment; and that the methods adopted in
securing endorsements of the encampments
OF iSSS ana lS M In ;iEa fnTor Of establishing and
utable and not a true expression of the SOL
diers of the state.
:, The citizens of Grand Island gave prac-
teal illustration of their good will and de-
sire to provide for the needy comrades by
at a cost TO them of $25 600, and WhicS ts with with
proper management will contribute largely
to the maintenance of the home.
In conclusion we desire to say we looked
for just such letter from Farraeut post
as we received and are not disappointed
The citizens of Lincoln WILL however have
an opportunity to sign our petition and we
feel confident that the result of circulating
1t in Lincoln will abundantly prove how
little your letter expresses the real senti-
ment of the people.
DAVID CITY, Neb., March 3.-(Special)-
Post No. 10, Grand Army of the Republic, at
its regular meeting yesterday passed strong
resolutions in favor of retaining the Sol
diers' Home at Milford. A copy of the reso-
lutions have been forwarded to representa-
tives and senators from this district, who
are urged to support the measure