The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-02-21
CONTROL OF THE
VETERANS HOME
Grand Army Men Now
Want the Asse mbly Bill
Amended.
Z N. Goldsby Offers Some In.
teresting Information to the
Legislature.
Care Must Be Taken in Order Net
to Jeopardize the Federal
Appropriation.

SACRAMENTO. CAL. Feb. 2o.-Ener-
getic efforts are being made by those
mem bers of the G. A. r. who are in favor of
making the Veterans Home of California
a strictly and unconditional State institu-
ton to bring that object about at this
session of the Legislature. Considerable
differences have arisen among the men,
bers of the G, a. r. as to how this is to be
best accom- plisheo, and the friction at
tendant thereon resulted in the calling of
a mass meeting at Oakland week ago
and the appointment of committee to
represent the cause OF the contingent op-
posed to the retention of the old method
of management to the mem bers of the
Legislature. u. n. Goldsby of that COM
mittee is now here and among other
things will offer the following open letter
for the consideration of the members:
OAKLAND, Feb. Is, 1897.
Referring to the bill transferring the Vet
Grams Home al Youthful to the State, wish
to say as chairman of the mass-meeting held
in Oakland Sunday, the 14th inst, in reply to
an open letter of ex-Postmaster Backus, that
the thought of personality eliminat ted
from our deliberations in that meeting. The
unconstitutionality of the bill was all that re-
ceived our consideration. Our petitions ask
ing for an amended bill are signed by members
of every post in San Francisco and Alameda
counties, and no faction whatever exists.
We are not finding fault with the manage
ment OF the home, but with the framing of the
bill, which has been pronounced illegal by
eminent counsel, and we object to the at
tempt of Comrade Backus to divert atten ton
from its weakness by the cry OF factlonallSm.
We care not who the directors may be, if only
they are legally chosen from among ex-Union
soldiers and sailors.
Veterans Home Association in its present
form, as Comrade Backus asserts. but instead
1t was agreed TO transfer the Veterans Home
to the State Internationally.
Regarding eX-Assemblyman Marcus D.
Hyde's communication we have to say that II
is to be regretted that Mr.. Hyde was not in
condition to be able to see whether there were
sixty (6O) veterans al the meeting, as he
states, or TWO hundred (200) there really
were, called together at few hours notice.
By a unanimous standing vote committee
was appointed 10 go TO Sacramento to urge
the amending of the original bill, and Mr..
Hyde contributed money toward defraying the
expense
The attendance was non-political non-fec-
tional and many posts were represented. II
we could have given days notice OF the mat
ter there would have been much larger at
tendance and remOustrance. 1t IS also 10 be
regretted that Mr.. Hyde should attempt to pose
as a member of the q. A. R., because he never
had a legal standing in that body, although he
did gain admission for a time through misrep-
resenta
Thei record of every soldier is open for in
spection to any interested person, aud Mr..
IeCOIu suOWS lIldl lie WAS AOI APP
point 10 service III the United States Army
until Novem Der %, 1863 while the Civil War
was ended in April. 1865.
Assemblyman Dibble expresses surprise that
no opposition was shown to the original bill
until after ii had passed the Assembly, and 1
would explain that the reason for this is that
the bill came from the printer February ),
came up in the House on the 5th, was made u
special order, and IN five days was passed,
leaving insufficient time for the soldiers to OBJ
tain copies of the bill and become acquainted
with its contents, and the Assembly passed il
thinking it was simply something to benefit
the old soldiers.
Mr.. Dibble appears to be under the impress
sion that the opposition does not approve the
passage OF the bill, but such is not the case.
We do want 1t to become a law, but in an
amended form, to make it a legal transfer
and in the interest of old soldiers all over the
State. JOSEPH H. DoRETY
Chairman of MaSs-meeting.
This bill is now in the hands of the Sem
ate, where it was referred to the Judiciary
Committee and amended somewhat from
the form IN which it passed the Assembly.
As originally introduced the bill named
the present directors of tho home as those
10 manage Ii under State supervision, and
there was clause providing that the State
should forever maintain the institution
Tor the purposes to which il is now de-
voted. There are also minor provisions
in the nature of conditions that would
prevent the institution from being abso-
AulSlJ SIdIc WAlCu IS Tie
real object sought to be accomplished, as
otherwise there might arise legal compIl-
cations that would prevent the enjoyment
by the institution OF the Federal appro-
prlation of 500 PEI capita OF the inmates.
AS the numb Der of veterans now in the
Yountviile Home exceeds 600 the revenue
that might thus be jeopardiZed would ag-
gregate more than $50, 900.
Among other things it is desired by
tho> whom Mr.. Goldsby represents to have
the Governor appoint the trustees or di-
rectors, the same as Is done in connection
with all other State institutions. 1t is
also pointed out by Mr.. Goldsby that the
provision for perpetuating the institution
in Its present character as provided by the
BILL is an impossi bility, as the necessity
for it will cease to exist with the genera
lions that gave their services t o the coun-
try during the Mexican and Civil Wars.
II is desired to have the bill so amended
that the State will be able to devote it to
any use it may see fit after ii ceases to be
a place of refuge for the country's de-
tenders.
The bill as originally introduced was
under the direction of the pres
ent board of directors of the home, and
the mem ers of the G.. A. r. throughout
the State were not generally aware of its
it is claimed, until alter it had
passed the Assembly. Steps will now be
taken to have the bill amended on the
lines indicated.