The Red Cloud chief., 1897-01-15
THE RED CLOUD CHIEF. FRIDAY. JANUARY151s 1897

maintenance Of state institutions. After
deducting appropriations for repairs and
permanent Improvements the net appro-
priations for the maintenance or these m
stitutions for 1893 and 1894 were $sS<.43e
n the net appropriations for 1s9b and
1896 were scr, s2s.a. The total number or
inmates during the period Of 1891 was
2,24i, showing a per capita expense Tor
this period OF ssyi.ii; the total number
OF inmates for the period 1856 had In
creased to 1858, and the per capita OK
pense decreased to s3c9.33. The great bulk
Of these savings was made in only n por-
tlon of the state institutions. and a the
same general decrease prevailed In all the
state Institutions the saving would have
been much greater. I am OF the opinion
that still further savings can be mada
In the expenditures Of these different in
stitutions, and for the purpose OF giving
you all Information possible, / present
herewith IL tabulatcd statement showing
the total appropriations for the two pre-
ceding bieDnia periods, and the manner
I'm which they were expended. together
with the average per capita cost In each
OF these institutions. This contains also
other Information which may be % valn9
TO you In determining the needs of these
institutions for the time for which o
snail make appropriations.
Soldiers Home mt Grand Island.
The soldiers home Mt Grand island has
assumed large proportions by the erection
OF new buildings, cottages and provis'o
FOR Increased capacity In caring for
worthy union soldiers. for whom 1t was
constructed. Large sums OF money are
appropriated by each recurring session of
the Legislature for its maintenance. 1t
now has 8l inmafaQ n 1ap0ar nttxNhCR
than II has ever had heretofore. The last
legislature appropriated $4,000 for . new
addition, together with numerous other
sums for permanent repairs and increased
facilities In It's management in different
ways. There has been appropriated alto
sether many hundred dollars for the erec-
tion and reparation OF good. substantial
buildings. 1t Is not only fitting and prop
err. but II IL a duty owed by the people
Of this state and cheerfully performed to
make suitable provisions for the support
OF all worthy and needful survivors Of
the union armies In the OWL war. I but
speak the sentiments Of the patriotic peo-
ole of Nebraska when I say that no bur.
den Is borne more willingly or duty per-
formed with greater slacrity than that
which Is required in making ample pro-
visions for the maintenance in comfort of
these worthy veterans who were the de-
Tenders Of the union.
The management Of the institution for
tho past two years has been the most
economical during It's history. Tho kind
treatment and ample provisions for the
comfort n pleasure Of the inmates have
been all that could be desired. The mem-
bers Of the visiting and examining board.
assisted by the commandment, have been
~tireless in their efforts to conduct the
institution so ~ to fully accomplish the
purpose for which II was established.
Branch Soldiers Home at Milford.
The last session OF the legislature
paesed an act providing for the sstab-
lishment Of y branch soldiers home at
Milford by the leasing of land and build
inEs already constructed. Eight thousand
dollars was appropriated to carry into e.
feet this act. II was provided IN the act
that the land and buildings referred to
should within thirty days after its pas
sage be leased to the state free OF charge
for two years. with the privilege Of eight
additional years for a sum not exceeding
ssoo per annum. Under the direction Of
the board Of public lands and buildings
alterations and repairs have been made
hitting the buildings for the reception
OF inmates. Capt. j. II. Culver WAS, by
this board, appointed commsndant A
full and detailed report for the period
eriIng November 80 has been made by
the commandant and Is presented Tor
.oui consideration. There were forty
five inmates In this institution at the time
the report WAS made and a deficiency for
Its maintenance created up to hat time
in the sum Of sio.52i.?0. 1t Is also asked
that $l3.50O be appropriated for the pur-
chase Of this property.
The maintenance Of two institutions for
the support Of disabled and INDECENT SOL
diers when the objects sought can be
accomplished IN one Institution entails
an additional and unnecessary expense
-. - . A. -Aa- " A-..-
that the general government has provided
means for assisting the different states
In caring for the veterans of the war by
contributing from the general treasury
$40 per annum for each inmate Of the
homes established. but this in no wise
chanaes the rule or the principle just
announced. The revenue derived from the
general government Is the same per capita
whether one or two institutions are MAIN
tained and II IL our duty to keep With
reasonable bounds these different expen-
dttures involving y taxation of the ciu-
zens Of our state. While I do not recon-
mend unressrvedly the d~Iscontnuxnce oil
full and thorough study am Investigation
ns to the probable demands which will
have to be met by our people in providing
for these worthy c~.tizans. II the conc1u-
sion Is reached that all the necessary
comforts and c~onvenie1ces ran be as we'll
provided for In the homo already estab-
lished with reasonable expenditures for in
creasing Its capacity. II IL y serious ques-
tion whether this ought not to be done
rather them to Incur additional expense
by maintaining two different institutions.
The latter course neccssltates the en-
ployment OF two sets OF ofnc0rs and in
creased ensn for expenditures which
might be greatly reduced by c~oncentra-
ton Of population and the utilization Of
fixed corverierccs which are Of sufficient
capacity to answer the demands a much
larger population would make upon them
than exists at tho Institution a. present.
1t Is true that the location AZ Milford
Is beautiful. attractive. and the surrNhnd-
ings very pleasant. The water. I have no
doubt. Is very hcalthful and there are.
perhaps. some advantages which do not
exist at any other institution In the state.