The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-10-22

1t is only in his own county, in most |
cases, that a mans record and qualiica- |
tons are correctly known, and every |
interest of his fellow citizens is in favor
of the approval of his name, TO share |
the gift of the State. and bring it to that |
county When therefore, he is delib- |
erately rejected by the county board. it |
requires extraordinary evidence of ig-
norance or malice on the part of that
board to Justify a distant body in plac-
ing the applicant on the roll over their
heads.
MEN WORTHY OF PENSIONS.
Nor is there any need for special acts
for the blind, as the whole subject
should be disposed of by the county
boards. For that reason men only of
the highest character, expert experience
and greatest knowledge of the past rec
ord and present circumstances of the
applicants should be appointed. 1t is
Aardly necessary TO add that the board
Should have ex-Confederate soldiers upon
it, (ApplauseQ
The publication Of the list, and strict
compliance hereafter would not return
any Of the fund back to the State Treas
ury undstributed. 1t would simply in
crease the present amount now under
the maximum provided for in the law,
and so insure additional comfort to the
deserving 1t is in their interest that
these changes are suggested. Indeed the
time has come. when, as suggested by
a special committee of TINS body the
quota of taxation for pensions, IN the
annual State levy might be wisely IN
creased Yet even if this is not Gone
with a correct list. and IA schedule OF
taxables of increasing annual value, we
may see the pensions reach the full max
imum contemplated in the law.
The honored speaker Of the House.
Hon. II. G.. Conner, has referred to
the mistake of special pension acts. in
a publication since the last legislative
session.
1t may not be improper to add that
the evil is deep-seated, and THAT if the
Association shall see fit to take action,
the subject should be thoroughly explain
ed i'm the press, and such an earnest
committee appointed to confer with the
committee of the General Assembly. rs
will press the necessity of the reform.
ORGANIZATION OF CAMPS.
1t affords me pleasure to refer to the
general spirit Of brotherhood and the IN
creased interest in the glorious memories
Of the past as evidenced by the large
number of reunions held during the past
year by comrades who marched under
the battle cross of the South. The num-
Der of camps of United Confederate
Veterans reported at Charleston was nj
ty. larger than ever heretofore. Inc |
union of comrades in whatever form of |
70 40 1ncipa1 |
and this association is especially in close |
and cordial utilization with the United |
Confederate Veterans, under the gallant |
Gordon who has so long and success
fully served as its honored head. Cap |
plauSe).
am come now to ask of you to lend |
aid to the important subject of the more
effectual organization of camps of Uni |
ted Confederate Veterans.
We know that North Carolina has more |
men and more losses than other State
in the struggle for Southern Indepen-
dence. She has undoubtedly today more
survivors of the Confederate army in |
her midst than any other State. zap
plause).
And yet the immense moral power that |
they might exercise for the best i'm
terests of our people, is almost wholly |
lost for want of complete organization. |
Every county should have its quota Of |
camps Compare our gallant brethren I
of the West and Southwest in this re-
gard, with ourselves
AT the recent reunion in Charleston, |
the roster Of organized camps showed DO |
for North Carolina; n larger number 1t /
is true than ever before; but Louisiana |
had 80. Tennessee -, Mississippi 10. |
Missouri whom some count as hardly |
of the Confederacy at all. remembering |
the troop she furnished the United |
States) had a and Arkansas the same.
But Alabama presents a roll of lOl |
camps. Georgia 100, South Carolina 20,
and Texas the grand array of 234 camps.
Remembering the comparative quota
of South Carolina and North Carolina
on the battle field. and comparing her
125 with our 80, which it but one more
than Kentucky, and six more than Viz
ginia. we see at once that action is
need, to place Ills, as a people III our
rightful position.
CONFEDERATES ALWAYS STICK.
/ have already taken steps, for CORE
spondence with veterans in every coun-
ty of the State, and with your active
and earnest cooperation, hope to see our
roll of camps doubled aye quadrupled,
as it should be. Let us take courage
from our distant brethren, proud of hav-
ing followed the Southern battle flag,
who were represented at their reunion,
from camps formed in Ohio, and Massa-
chusetts. and two camps were repre-
sented from far--way Montana. Cap
plause.(
AS in all our history, we have been
slow at first, living apart from each
other, in our country life, but when
we do move, we stick there (Applause).
One of the leading objects of this as
sociation, while it opens its doors to all
Confederates. is to build up regular
camps of North carolina Veterans. The
necessary literature will be provided, and
the most cordial relations established
between this body and the headquarters
of the organized camps. of which | have
the honor to be Division Commander
in our State. ! ask and urge your
help in this work, not only for the rea-
son stated of our meagre representa-
ton, but because when this organization
is DrOperly effected it will be in posi-