Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-01-30
Hlisesllansous 8sadins.
GOVERNOR ON PENSIONS
Believes in Liberal Provision for Con-
federate Soldiers.

Believes in Liberal Provision TOR Con-
federate Soldiers.
In a special message to the general
assembly last week, Governor Blease
set forth his position on the question
of pensions, and discussed at some
length the Confederate home in Co
lumbia. The message followed a con-
ference between Governor Blease and
! q committee Of veterans appointed at
the reunion in Aiken to confer with
the governor. The message follows:
Message No. IL.
Gentlemen Of the General Assembly:
tried to make three messages COW
er everything had to say to you dur
ing this session. Other matters have
come before me, however, which
have had to transmit to you, which
probably could not be considered mes
sages, but only letters of transmittal
Matters have taken place which were
not expected, and have had to bur-
den you with more messages than I
had intended. Now comes this one, at
the request and as the result Of a con-
ference with a committee appointed by
the Confederate veterans Of this state.
I want to put myself on record, so
there can be no mistake. First, and
above all, let me say think that the
state Of South Carolina should see
that no Confederate veteran suffers
for the necessities Of life. They most
assuredly should not be treated as pau
pers. II you want to treat them as
paupers, let them go. to the homes for
the poor, and let them be treated as
paupers, which would be a disgrace
upon every citizen Of South Carolina
But 7 want to call your attention to
the fact that there are on your pension
rolls the names Of men who are get
ting money who are not entitled to it,
and there are names which are not on
these rolls which should be there.
Now, understand me distinctly; am
in favor Of giving every man who
fought in the Confederate army suf-
ficient amount Of money to buy the
necessities OK ife-that is, plenty Of
good food, plenty Of good clothes to
keep his body warm and comfortable,
and to buy medicines, ETC., when nee
essary. The state Of South Carolina
should do this, If 1t takes an extra tax
to do it, rather than to see one Of
these old men suffer for the necessi-
ties Of life.
/ think this makes my record clear,
so that it cannot be misconstrued.
1 am fully satisfied that the estab-
lishment of the home for the old SOL
diers was q matter Of sentiment more
than Of good business judgment, and
that the general assembly at that time
compliment to one of its members and
as a matter of sentiment than for the
real good they thought 1t would do
the Confederate veterans. think the
| Confederate home has been managed,
as we'll as 1t could be managed, and,
in view Of the dirty fight that has
been made against it's management by
some people merely for political pre-
tuition has been ably managed, and the
inmates we'll cared for and particularly
well protected. There is in charge Of
1t Major H. w. Richardson, who has
held positions Of honor and trust in
his state, who was himself a gallant
Confederate soldier and who, as ev-
| eryobdy who knows him well knows,
is honest in his private dealings, as
he Is in his public dealings. On the
board with him is Col D. A. Dickert,
an honest man and one Of the most
gallant and daring Confederate SOL
diers that the south produced. Then
there is Hon. James T. Crews, wor-
thy son Of "the noblest Roman Of
them ALL" Thomas Bissell Crews, one
Of Gods noblemen; Hon. I. Med.
Hood, for many years auditor Of Ches-
ter county; the Hon. H. c. Paulling,
who has represented his county Of
Calhoun for several terms in the gen.
eral assembly; and its chairman, the
Hon. James G. Long, who served the
county Of Union for many terms as her
sheriff. Therefore, it will readily be
seen that this institution Is in the
hands of good, clean, honest men and
they have done and are doing every
thing within their power to give to
the old soldiers there all the convent
ences and necessities that the appro-
priation made will provide for. How
ever, think there are men in that
home who should not be there. I do
not think any man should be allowed
| there who draws a pension from his
home county, or, at least, when he is
admitted there the pension from his
county should cease and go to some
one who Is not in the home. ! do not
think any one should be admitted to
the home who has property enough at
home to give him a support. I do not
think any one should be admitted to
the home who carries on a trade or
business which will give him sufficient
means to support himself without the
aid Of the home. In other words, gen.
tlemen, think only those should be
admitted to the home who have no
home elsewhere and have no other
support, and who are entirely depen-
dent for a living. Those men should
be put in the home, and the home
should be given money enough to take
good, first class care Of them, and the
rules Of the home should be strength
ened by act Of the legislature 80 that
those who are there can be kept, not
in prison. not under duress but under
sufficient restraint to give order and
discipline there. I do not think it is
much credit to the home or to the in
mates for some Of them to come on
the streets Of Columbia drunk and
staggering around and sometimes hav-
ing to be carried-or are carried-to
police headquarters, and the manage
ment of the home notified that they
are there and asked please to send for
them. Yet when anything Of this kind
happens, or any serious breach Of dis
a. taIr III of fhA -1