The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1913-06-25
GEN. b. III. TEAGUE
ANSWERS CRITICISMS
Explains Method of Distributing
Fund Of $1,00 Appropriated by the
State Legislature.

State Legislature.
Gen. b. III. league, of Aiken. in
whose hands was left che disposition
OF the fund of 81 900 provided by the
state legislature for the purpose of
: paying the railroad fare of veterans
to the Gettysburg Reunion, has been
severely criticised by the old soldiers
and others for the manner in which
the fund was distributed. 1t appears
as if Gen. league distributed the
money to properly accredited old
soldiers in order of their application.
late applicants getting nothing. The
Following letter addressed to Gen.
league and published in The State.
shows the tenor of the criticisms
heaped upon him:
Your post card of the 14th nst..
stating that you had given checks to
GA applicants and had exhausted the
appropriation by the State, ETC., etc.
received,
II do not understand by what au-
thority you did this. For you know at
the State reunion, the matter was TAX
en- up and there was motion, which
prevailed, giving each soldier who par
ticipated in the battle of Gettysburg.
and desired to go to the reunion
there $40. Afterwards this action on
the part Of our State reunion was re-
considered. because at $40 each the
appropriation might be exhausted be-
fore 1T went around, and some good
and worthy soldiers would be cut out:
and that one soldier who fought in
the battle of Gettysburg was Just as
much entitled to his proprortionate
share of the State appropriation as
another, which he was. Therefore.
the understanding, as | understand
it, was for you to get in the names of
all who intended to go to the Get
tysburg reunion and apportion said
appropriation to them.
Il sent in some names to you who
fought in the battle of Gettysburg and
made affidavit to this effect. certified to
by a comrade. They were Justly en-
titled to their share of the State an
preparation because they are citizens
of South Carolina.
1T would have been better for the
first resolution adopted by the State
reunion, giving each soldier $40 as
long as it lasted to have remained,
rather than the way in which you di-
vided it."
When it became known that enough
funds had not been provided fer all
the veterans who were unable TO pay
their expenses, The Columbia State
came forward and proceeded to ise a
fund by public subscription anu gen
erously started the list by a contribu-
tion OF 500. About $500 had been
raised in this way when Gov. Blease
made an offer to Gen. league to go
on note with him to supply enough
money to pay the railroad fare of all
soldiers not provided for out Of the
$1,000, trusting that the legislature
Will make return of the money when
it meets. The latest reports stated
that Gen. league had agreed to the
suggestion OF Gov. Blease and that
the money would be provided
The following letter from w. A..
Clarke, Of Columbia, is expressive of
the other side of the controversy:
To the editor of The Stae:
Enclosed you will find check for
SO, my contribution toward the fund
you are raising to aid in transporting
the needy Confederate veterans visit
ing Gettysburg. Your suggestion is
happy one, and the liberality OF
your subscription should meet with
quick response from others inter
ested in this reunion.
regret to see that the al n of
Gen. league in the distribution of
the fund appropriated by this State
has called forth some criticism. |
am OF the opinion that Gen. league
has carried out the sentiment there
expressed. For him to have made a
longer division of the fund at his dis
posal would have given to each so
small an amount as would have de-
feated the purpose for which the fund
was intended. His application of the
fund Will prove to the best advantage
| Nhnt !