The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-03-21
CARE AND MAINTENANCE
 OF INDECENT VETERANS
General Oates Suggests to Camp LOmax, U. (. V.
 That Pension Laws Be Amended and Camps Select BeDeficiarieS- -Other Matters.

The care and maintenance of helpless md indigent Confederate soldiers was by Camp Lomax, United Confederate Veterans Other business of importance came before the Camp, the selection of delegates to attend the Confederate re- snn., union at Dallas the election of d.,. neT route to Dallas for the Camp and ques- tfons pertaining to the approaching lec- ture Of General Fftzhugh Lee under the auspices of the Camp. but the greatest members to the discussion of the proper support of the helpless old soldiers who wore the grey. and in response to call for his views made forceful and convincing talk to the Camp, in which he announced his opposition to the starting of a Confed- crate crate Home by the Camp or by anybody; ,,; public contributions. He predicted fall ure for a home whose support was ex- pected from voluntary charity. His solu- to the pension laws of the State by which the camps of Confederate yete- rans would recommend to the state Pension Bureau the names of helpless and needy veterans in their neighborhood to these the State should pay enough for support.
 The matter was brought before the camp by resolution introduced py
  ton Judge Fuller said that he had at tended the last meeting of Camp Jen Falkner to secure information on the proposed Soldiers Home at Mountain Creek He had learned that each camp In the State would be allowed to build house there if it saw fit and support its members. but all buildings would be un- Ser the control of Camp Falkner. He had Eiven the question thoughtful consider ation. He had come to the conclusion that the true solution was Confederate Homes fin every Congressional district supported by the State. He would offer a the Camp and pledging the members of the Camp not to support any man for the Legislature who would not unquaif- fledly commit himself to this proposi- the resolution should be passed. He would simply submit 1t to the Camp and the members would be given an oppor- tunity of discussing the question.
 While Judge Fuller was writing out his resolution there were calls for Gen eral Oates. In response to these calls General Oates said II am opposed to the resolution. I am opposed to every sug- ura for Camp Falkner or any other Camp that tries to run home on public contributions. It cannot be done. The sentiment that starts it will die out. The Iieve that the Legislature can be infiu- enced into increasing the tax rate to provide a home for old soldiers"
 "I have a suggestion that l believe IS practicable. It carries with 1t the amend ments of the State pension law and we all know that the existing law is defect i've, there being many men on the pen sion rolls whose names should not be there. My suggestion is this. let this camp pass resolution urging the Legis- lature to so amend the pension law that the different camps of the State shall rec ommend to the State authorities the names. of the needy soldiers in their neighborhood. Every Camp knows what old soldiers are deserving of assistance. And let the camp recommend to the State how much should be paid to the support of each of the helpless old sol diers. The same resolution which should be passed by Camp Lomax recommend ing this change in the pension laws should also be passed by all the camps In the State and it should be passed by the State reunion when the soldiers meet here in Montgomery. This will, l be- lieve. create a public sentiment which the Legislature will be guided by. l am convinced the plan Is feasible"
 Applause marked the conclusion of Gen eral Oates's remarks.
 General Sanford announced that he was Inalterably opposed to the first resolu- tion that had been proposed. He was utterly opposed to the old Confederate veteran making an issue with his coun- trymen. The proposition was too narrow and 1t was unjust The Camp could not