Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-24
FOR PENSION REFORM
VETERANS OF THE LEGISLATURE
MEET no DISCUSS THIS.
MAKE THE HOME A HOSPITAL.
This Proposition Made, hut Not Re-
ceived with General FayOr-Want
an Equitable Law-Comm,ttee Ap-
pointed TO Draft n Bill.

are veterans OF the late war, having
served in the Confederate army, met in
the Hall OF the House of Delegates last
night and discussed the question as to
the enactment of some pension law thar
would be equitable in its operation and
do away with the present abuses.
There was quite sentiment manifested
to abolish the Soldiers Home, or convert
the institution into a hospital for the
care of veterans actually needing medical
attention, while so much of the appropri-
alton as could thus be withdrawn should
be used in pensioning needy and disabled
Confederate soldiers. There was even
some talk Of reducing the appropriation
to the University and other educational
institutions in order that the veterans
could be properly cared for throughout
the State
The body finally appointed commit
tee, with instructions to draft a general
pension bill to carry out ideas suggested
at the meeting, and then adjourned until
tonight.
ITS OBJECT is EXPLAINED.
On motion of Me-. T. ID. Jennings, Cap
tain Parks was chosen chairman of the
meeting and Mr.. Jennings was made Sec
retary. Captain Parks stated that the
body had gathered i'm response to a call
issued during the day, requesting that all
Confederate soldiers who were members
Of the General Assembly, and who We're
interested I'm the welfare Of the veterans
of the war. assemble in the hall of the
House of Delegates.
Mr. DarnolI os tho orio,in n tor of fha
meeting, stated that the call had been
issued in order that the proposed appro-
priation to the Soldiers Home might be
discussed. He thought, from the facts as
shown by an inspection Of the institution
that 1t did not cost $50 annually for the
maintenance of each inmate. The cloth
ing they wore, he thought. was of the
most common material. and the food
served to them was poor If the money
appropriated by the State was being di-
verted, il would be We'll for the Legisla-
ture to take some steps towards other
wise using the appropriation. so that the
old soldiers might receive the full benefit
of IT,
CAPT. CALDWELL GIVES FIGURES.
Upon motion Of Mr.. Pitcher, Adjutant
Caldwell. of the Soldiers Home, was re-
quested to make a statement as 10 the
management of the institution. Adjutant
Caldwell stated that it cost for rations for
a man in quarters 10 cents per day. The
average cost per capita for other neces-
sary expenses amounted to "a cents per
day 1t cost per capita annually S127.2O
for the maintenance Of the inmates upon
the basis Of an average of 245 men. When
a man was In the hospital his raw food
cost Il cents per day, the per capita cost
for his maintenance there being Sl606O
Adjutant Caldwell was asked If he did
not think any inmate OF the institution
would be willing to accept a pension of
800 annually and live at his own home
The officer replied that in several cases
and he cited one-inmates had been given
an annual pension, the amount turned
over TO them, and they had been dis
charged. The result had been in every
instance that the veteran so discharged
had spent the amount allowed him by the
State, and within a few weeks again ap-
piled for admission to the home
MAKE IT A HOSPITAL.
Captain Minter said there was no ques-
tion as to the integrity and well-meaning
Of those who conducted the institution.
They were engaged In a noble work. The
question to be considered, however, was
were not a favored few being cared for
according to the ideas of the benevolent
officers Of the institution, while thousands
OF other veterans were suffering, some Of
whom were receiving, il is true. the mere
pittance of a pension of $l5 annually. He
thought the home should be converted
into a hospital, and only those actually
i'm need of medical attention be received,
while the appropriation could thus be re-
duced and the remainder be applied in
30. lar 20
veterans all over the State.
Adjutant Caldwell then stated that the
home was gradually becoming a hospi-
tai, and in six years it would in reality,
be such an institution. The inmates were
growing more feeble every day.
EVERY DOLLAR WELL SPENT.
Mr.. T.. ID. Jennings said he could give
some light as 10 the question whether
the inmates would not prefer to receive
pension and leave the home. He cited
the case Of a veteran who had accepted
so and left the institution. He was now
in Lynchburg, and an object of charity
This man was now extremely anxious to
be readmitted TO the home Mr.. Jennings
said he believed sincerely that if the in
mates were discharged and given $500
in two years they would again be knock |
ing at the door Of the Soldiers Home. |
Every dollar spent on the latter institu- |
ton was "gloriously and well spent"
To those who had recently been placed |
upon the pension-roll he was in favor or |
increasing the amount from SIS to $40, |
or even 10 $50. He was not however, in |
favor of crippling the Soldiers Home
DR.. Quesenberry was in favor Of equal |
izing the pension list, and inaugurating |
some general system.
THE STATE IMPOSED UPON.
Captain Parks said as for as the Sol
ders' Home was concerned. no man had |
a higher appreciation for the institution /
and those who conducted il than did he |
In his county six men were on the pension |
list, but no Confederate soldier had ever |
been an inmate Of a poor-house there, |
and as long as he had a voice in his COM
munity no one ever would be. The State |
was being imposed upon. however, In the |
granting OF pensions. Many We're on the |
rolls who were not entitled 10 pension. |
He explained his bill. which provides /
that all pensions shall be declared null |
and void, and proper applications be |
made through the county courts before
any one shall be placed upon the list. |
The old soldiers throughout the State
were becoming dissatisfied. They were
getting little or nothing, and yet they
heard of the State appropriatIng $4,000
or $4,000 to the Soldiers Home, where
the inmates were being kept at an ex-
pense OF nearly $50 per capita annually. |
The soldiers could be kept at home for
$50 per year.
Captain Mlnter made an eloquent APP
peal to the body to take some action In
behalf OF the old Confederate soldiers
for 1t would be but few years before
q 4. 81 lafa NIf1E