Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-06
CARING FOR OLD SOLDIERS.
What the Former Confederate States
Are Doing.


General Marcus j. Wright contributes
the following to the Nashville Banner:
The great interest which is now exist
ing in regard to the pension list Of the
| government may lead to desire to know
what the former Confederate States are
doing for the support of their INDECENT
soldiers and their widows:
1t is not necessary to repeat what is Sc
well and generally known Of the almost
| poverty-stricken condition of the south
ern people at the close Of the war; for
| 1t is a fact that while the war really
added prosperity to many Of the North
ern States, 1t left the people of the South
in a seemingly hopeless condition. AS
soon, however, as they resumed control
of their own State governments, they were
confronted with the absolute helpless con-
dition of many Confederate soldiers and
their widows and children. Private
charities sprung up throughout the coun-
try, but these were soon found inadequate
to relieve the widespread distress, and
appeals were made 10 the State govern
ments for aid with what success will ap-
pear from what follows: 1 will take the
Southern States in alphabetical order and
made by each for its soldiers.
BY an act of the Legislature of Ala
bama of February 49, 1891, amended by
a subsequent act of February 49, 1895,
any soldier or sailor being a resident or
the State Is entitled to receive pen
sion, if he has lost an arm or leg, or re-
ceived such wound in the service of the
Confederate States as 10 render him UNI
able physically to procure livelihood by
labor. or from any other cause, such as
protracted illness or old age. is rendered
unable TO make living. Proof Of SER
vice and inability is made before the Pro-
bate Judge OF the county in which the
applicant resides. A widow may also
receive a pension whose husband was
killed or died of disease during the war,
or within five years after the close of the
war, provided she has not since remar-
red Those owning property exceeding
the value of $500, or an income of that
amount, or wives having a separate es-
tate of $500 are not entitled TO receive
pensions. To carry out the provisions
of the law, a special tax Of one half of
1 mill on each dollar of taxable property
is assessed and collected as other taxes,
and the total amount thus collected Is
prorated among the total number of APP
plicants passed upon, and 81, 200 of the tax
is set apart for blind pensioners. For
the year 1892, 1856 soldiers and widows
received $3.50 each per annum, and thirty
eight blind, $31.57 each. In 1893 there were
5,2O1 pensioners, including widows. In 1898
the number had increased to $3.50.
For Arkansas, the provisions are very
similar to those of Alabama, and there
are now 1.130 pensioners on the list, in
GLIDING widows. On the death of pen
sioner the widow succeeds to the pension
during her wldowhood. The amount of
pensions range from s25 to 500 per annum,
according to the disability.
Arkansas also has a home for INDECENT
and disabled Confederate soldiers, which
is located at Little Rock. 1t is supported
by the State, and has now in II thirty-fiye
soldiers.
The Georgia pension law is very similar
10 that OF Arkansas. In 1897 there were
1881 names on the roll and the sum of
$3.50. 600 was paid for pensions and artificial
limbs. The laws relating to widows are
similar TO those OF Arkansas.
Florida gives pensions. averaging about
500 per annum, TO 5s3 persona, and also
has a home at Jacksonville. supported by
the State an allowance OF 500 each being
given to each occupant. The widows of
Confederate soldiers get $50 per annum,
while the widow OF pensioner receives
the sum to which the pensioner was en-
titled.
Louisiana gives no pension. but fur