The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-10-26
NEE ONLY REMEnY

can suggest is to build an annex to the
hospital sufficiently large to accommodate
forty-ave or fifty more patients.
The surgeon, DR.. Gilbert will report
on this matter in detail ype need funds
to make room for at least sixty men, in
regular quarters, There is clamor all
over the state by the old soldiers to aban-
don the pension aud come to the home
They all claim that the pension Is too small
for them to live on At least one-half OF
the applications IN this office are from men
whose names are ON the pension rolls. but
they claim II Is only pittance, and they
can not keep the wolf from the door with
the small amount paid them BY The state.
10 me this seems q serious condition that
contronts the next legislature II Is now
too late to argue what might have been
done The question is Whjt policy Is
best now, to the end that these old sol
diers be provided for during the evening
of their lives.
IL is to be regretted that the State ever
took charge Of the home and made I'M
provements at the present location, ne
grounds containing only twenty-three acres
ana they on a graveliy rocky hill, good
for drainage and nothing else
If the State had AGO or 800 more acres o.
smooth, tillable land many OF the inmates
would cultivate from one-half to two acres
OF land in vegetables, which they could
sell to the home, thus reducing expenses
and furnishing employment and = niue
pocket money 10 those ubie anu uiopp rttA
10 work As has already been indlcnted
the only thing to be done on this zine by
the legislature is to continue TO make ap-
propriations OF funds 10 make room for
the large numbers who are now appealing
for hep. This appeal can not lightly be
set aside, and win not be by the patriotic
people OF the great State Of Texas, when
appraised Of the situation of these INDECENT
aged and lnfrm old soldiers.
As in my report two. years ago, am
still Of the opinion that it would be great
~ to the safety, comfort and interests Of
the home to have all the rooms heated by
Its own plant After the plant was ready
for operation do not think its cost would
be over. one-half the present cost Of fuel.
We have lust received 400 tons of coal,
at So 80 per ton delivered. would be S21lO.
IN addition to this buying new stoves and
danger Of fire would be greatly lessen d
Friction between the inmates would also
be avoided. Some insist on very hot fires
in their rooms, while others object to a
Below You viii observe the estimate
have given as necessary for the improve
ment and maintenance Of the home This
may seem large at first sight, but when
II Is taken into consideration that we now
have close on to 100 applications on ble,
and calls for blank applications are Of al
most daily occurrence. that we now have
804 inmates, / believe that every dollar /
have asked for will be needed for the sup
port Of this institution,
Again, | most respectfully call attention
10 the need Of laws governing the home
especially IN reference to drunkenness a
man who habitually gets drunk Is able to
support himself II he would Keep sober:
10 not believe j was the intention %
the State 10 support characters Of this sort.
The law should he so amended as 70 give
the board jurisdiction in and out OF the
Drinking men come to their quarters late
at night and get up friction with tAer
comrades next morning. Also. the law
should be SO amended as to give the board
authority 10 dismiss men guilty. ot-nnr
disgraceful conduct In or out of the home.
A few men take advantage az the present
rules Of the home. ! am glad to state
that there are only q few who do this hut
nihe-tenths Of the inmates are renhesre :, 4
above mentioned yiolators Of law.
GOOD MEN SHOULD BE PROTECTED.
believe the wholesome rules made by
the board should be made statutory. to
the end that violators OF the law may be
made 10 know that the law slll be rigidly
enforced have endeayored 70 do the
best could with the resources at my com
mand for the welfare Of those entrusted
70 my charge. Some mistakes have been
made but we're, unavoidable on my part.
/ want here TO express my most CRATER y
fhauEs TO the hoard for their unstlnicl
ana valuable assist snee u the aauiliiisi ia
fnefftufiou You have, indeed been vain
allie cnunsellors In all that has been done
ami. / should feel recreant 70 ms sense Of
dnfv we're j to fan to acknowledge iny
nrofound sense OF Obligation TO each and
ererv ane Of the board Of managers OF the
Confaderate home. You have borne with
ali my mistakes and stood nobiy hy me al
h .hIs connection. Il Il cminently proper
sor me TO saw that all the officials OF the
hosre have been loyal, NOT only . me. pnl
~ ~ arg Interest OF the hofnf The helpers
hive been obedient and fsithfps 10 thei'
placei. -. ..- =, a.. -