Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1914-08-05
CONFEDERATE VETERANS MEET.
Body Favored Pensions for All Sold
icrS-Want "IiOmc" Abolished.

icrs-Want "IiOmc" Abolished.
There was Il EOOdly representation
of the Confederate Veterans Of Oco-
nee present at the meeting Monday at
the Court House in Walhali2. The
meeting had been called for the pur-
pose Of getting the COnCcnsus Of opin-
ion of the OCOnGC Veterans on the
subject Of pcnsioning all soldiers Of
the Confcderacy now living in the
state. The body was an unique one
as assembled. Only a few beside the
Eray-haircd veterans who had stood
before the awful fire of a native foe
and faced death on many battle fields
were present, and as one looked over
the assembly Il feeling Of admiration
stole over those few younger men
present for those who years ago had
borne the brunt of the great conflict
in those days that tried mems souls.
The meeting wdS called to order
by w. I. MCGill, who called on j. w.
llOllCman to explain to the Veterans
assembled the object Of the meeting
in detail. This was stated to be the
aSCcrtalning OF the sentiment Of
those present with reference to pen
sion mattcrs--whcthcr or not they
favored pensions for all soldiers Of
the COnfcderaCy in recognition Of
their services or a continuation OF
the present system. by which South
Carolina annually appropriateS only
S250,OOO for her old soldiers as
against 81 100000 appropriated by
our sister State Of Georgia and ST.
100000 annually by North Carolina.
A number Of the Veterans present
entered into the discussions, which
were all along the line Of questions
as to the contemplated action Of the
body, the possible effect of the pro-
posed system, if put into operation
on the old soldiers now on the pen
sion roll, etc. 1t was explained that
it was not the intention of the pro-
posed recognition Of all to cut the
present amounts received by disabled
and INDECENT soldiers, bat that they
would receive their proportion of
the increase, while all would share
in the more liberal appropriation as
a fitting recognition of their services.
1t was estimated that there are about
one-third rs many old soldiers now
NVlng VINO do not receive pensions as
there are on the pension lists, and
that an appropriation of $4,000 in
stead Of $250,000 would better care
FOR those who were in act"al need Of
assistance and at the same time give
recognition to the services rendered
by al. Widows Of soldiers were also
considered in the legitimate line of
pensioners where the widow is 60
years OF age or over. 1T is time. +"
said Judge ilOllcman. "that our State
should recognize the services OF the
men who fought under her banners
in the cause Of the Confederacy if
she is ever going to recognize them"
AS pointing to the sOundncss Of this
argument he stated that Of the com
pany in which he enlisted. out of l76
who enlisted and went to the front.
to-day only six are left. Eve are
growing fewer every year" he said,
land in few years from now it will
De TOO late to give recognition except
with flowers at the EraVe-a very
pretty custom, but not particularly
substantial to the living" a few
years ago, he said. he had ascertained
that there were in Oconcc 96 Old SOL
dicrS who were not receiving pen
SiOnS. There are now about 700
pensioners in the state, and possibly
Onc-third that many Old soldiers en-
titlCd to pensions who do not receive
any recognition at the hands Of the
State government.
AS matter of record, w. r. Nc
thll called the attention OF the assem-
bly, TO the fact that South Carolina
sent 10 the front more men. in pro-
portion TO population. than any other
State represented under the flag OF
enc COnrederacy, and she gives her
soldiers now thc least substantial
recognition,