The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1899-05-31
MISSISSIPPI MATTERS.
NOTES OF PAST AND CURRENT EVENTS
By J. L. POWER.
Plea for a Soldiers Home.

Notwithstanding the plea for home
for married and INDECENT Confederate
soldiers has been several times acted
upon by the legislature of Mississippi,
the editor of this department will sub.
nit few reasons why this duty should
be no longer delayed.
On Sunday afternoon, MAY u. it was
our privilege to visit the Soldiers Home
of Louisiana, under the escort of Presi-
dent Il. I. Walshe and Gen. +. Ii.
Lombard, another member of the board
of directors. We were surprised and
delighted at the extent and complete
ness of the Home, for a home il is tC
the old veterans. The religious services
usual on Sunday afternoon had just
been concluded, and the veterans were
strolling over the grounds of Camp
Nichols, or seated on comfortable
benches. under shady trees We i'm
proved the time until the ) o'clock roll
call in a minute inspection of the en-
tire premises-thc dormitorieS, reading
rooms, infrmary. kitchen and dining.
room, exchanging greetings with the
men, and listening TO the requests of
and suggestions to the directors. The
sleeping-rooms are provided with large
iron cots, comfortable mattresses, and
clean linen, with cases for clothing.
The sleeping rooms are provided with
standard and miscellaneous works, and
thousands of magazines, so that those
who are studiously inclined may thus
pleasantly occupy some of the abundant
time they have on their hands. At
o'clock the veterans were called to
the main ha !, when the roll was called.
There are 40 in the Home, and except
few that were sick or absent on leave,
all were in line and answered to their
names. 1t was our privilege to address
them some cherry words, and TO ex-
press orr admiration of the State that
had made such timely and liberal pro-
vision for the men who had fought I'M
der her banners, and who are now I'M
able to care for themselves. Except a
dozen or more reserved. pending full
inquiry into their military history. all
wear the Confederate gray. When we
suggested that these must be 're
cruits, the old veteran laughed at what
they considered" a good joke at the
expense of the recent corners.
Louisiana approprlates annually
$3.50 per capita for the support of the
Home, and of this sl.O0 per month goes
to each man for pocket money, so that
the maintenance fund is only slas per
capita, or say $500 per annum. This
is not quite sufficient. About s25, 900 a
year would keep the Home in good
shape. Last year the directors were
obliged to cut off the tobacco rations,
and it was not restored until some
financial aid was received from the po-
lice juries of several parishes.
Special care is exercised in the ad-
mission of beneficiaries. No man is adj
mitted whose record as a Confederate
soldier does not pass the closest
scrutiny, The Home is for the recep-
ton and care of all Louisiana soldiers
who may have been married or other
wise disa bled, and who are not already
pensioned or provided for by the United
States government"
What Louisiana has done Mississippi
can and should do. Some of our enter
prising towns would no doubt furnish
the site or the building could be erected
on the grounds of either Insane Asylum,
and when Home is no longer needed the
improvements to become the property
of the State. The Home would not
have to be continued more than fifteen
! to twenty wears.