Omaha daily bee., 1897-01-08

determining the needs Of these institutions
! for the time for which you shall make APP
| prUpriations
! SOLDIERS HOME AT GRAND ISLAND
! The Soldiers home at Grand Island has
| assumed large proportions by the erection
/ OF new buildings, cottages and provisions
! for increased capacity In caring for worthy
/ union soldiers, for whom It was constructed
| Large sums Of money are appropriated by
| each recurring session of the legislature
! Tor its maintenance, IL now has 205 In
| mates, a larger number than II has ever
! had heretofore The last legislature APP
/ propriated $4,000 for new addition, to-
gether with numerous other sums for per-
manent repairs and increased facilities for
! its management In different ways. There
has been appropriated altogether
many hundred dollars for the erec-
ton and reparation of good sub
stantial buildings. 1t Is not only fitting
and proper, but It is a duty owed by the
people of this state, and cheerfully per
! formed, to make suitable provisions for
the support Of all worthy and needful sur
vivors OF the union armies in the civil
| war. | but speak the sentiments OF the
| patriotic people of Nebraska when I say
| that no burden Is borne more willingly
or duty performed with greater alacrity
than that which Is required in making
| ample provisions for the maintenance in
| comfort of those worthy veterans who were
The management of the institution for the
past two years has been the most econom-
cal during its history. The kind treatment
and ample provisions for the comfort and
pleasure of the inmates have been all that
could be desired. The members of the
Visiting and Examining board, assisted by
the commandant, have been tireless in
their efforts to conduct the institution so as
to fully accomplish the purpose for which
1t was established
SOLDIERS HOME AT MILFORD.
The last session of the legislature passed
an act providing for the establishment of a
branch soldiers home at Milford by the
leasing of land and buildings already con-
structed Eight thousand dollars was
appropriated to carry into effect this act.
1t was provided in the act that the land and
buildings referred to should within thirty
days after its passage be leased to the state
free of charge for two years with the
privilege of eight additional years for
sum not exceeding $500 per annum. Under
the direction of the Board OF Public Lands
and Buildings alterations and repairs have
been made, fitting the buildings for the re-
ception of inmates. Captain j. II. Culver
wes, by this board, appointed commandant.
full and detailed report for the period end
ing November 30 has been made by the
cOmmanian and is presented for your con-
sideration. There were forty.five inmates
in this institution at the time the report was
made and a deficiency for its maintenance
created up to that time in the sum of S10,-
52l2O. 1t is also asked that $13,500 be
appropriated for the purchase of this
property.
The maintenance of two institutions for the
support of disabled and INDECENT soldiers
when the objects sought can be accomplished
in enc institution entails an additional and
unnecessary expense on the taxpayers OF the
state 1t is true that the general govern
ment has provided means for assisting the
different states in caring for the veterans OF
the war by contributing from the general
treasury 500 per annum for each inmate
of tho homes established, but this in no wise
changes the rule or the principle just an
nounced. The revenue derived from the
general government is the same per capita
whether one or two institutions are main
taned and 1t Is our duty to keep within
reasonable bounds these different eX-
penditures involving taxation of the
citizens of our state. While | do not rec
ommend unreservedly the discontinuance of
the home at Milford l ask of ycu a careful
and thorough study and investigation as to
the probable demands which will have to be
met by our people in providing for these
worthy citizens. If the conclusion is reached
that all the necessary comforts and con-
veniences can be as well provided for in the
home already established, with reasonable
expenditures for increasing its capacity, 1t is
a serious question whether this ought not to
be done rather than to incur additional ex-
pense by maintaining two different institu
tions. The latter course necesstates the
employment of two sets of officers and in
creased demand for expenditures which
might be greatly reduced by concentration
of population and the utilization of fixed
conveniencss which are OF sufficient capacity
to answer the demands a much larger popula-
ton would make upon them than exists at
the institution at present.
1t is true that the location at Milford is
beautiful, attractive and the surroundings
very pleasant The water, have no doubt,
is very healthful and there are, perhaps,
somo advantages which do not exist at any
other institution in the state. These are
inducements which appeal for the continu
anco of this institution yet 1t is to be borne
in mind that the surroundings and environ
ments can be made very pleasant, and are
so in fact, in every institution in the state.
Such institutions have been located only in
places where the people generally have found
it very pleasant to establish their homes
and rear their children aud enjoy the usual
degree of happiness allotted to mankind
generally.