The Colville examiner. [volume] (Colville, Wash.) 1907-1948, 1916-08-26

ber of the state board of control.
Among all of the institutions OF
the state perhaps the least interest
ing, from a morbid curiosity view,
are the two homes the state has pro-
vided for the veterans of our wars
and their wives and widows. The
homes are filled with those who have,
in times past, served their country,
and those who have wives are per-
mitted, in one of the institutions, to
have them with them. In that insti-
tuition widows of old soldiers are per-
mitted to reside. Complete harmony
prevails in the homes and the men,
bers, as a whole, are orderly and
obedient and nearly all appreciate
the comfortable homes provided for
them by the loyal state of Washing
ton.
Among so many old men many are
victims of physical ailments and need
constant medical care. With the
ages of the members ranging from
81 to SO, we must necessarily expect
that many will be called to a higher
home before long. We emphasize
the home ideal as much as possible
and give only such attention as pro-
priety would suggest to the military
feature thereof. They are intended,
primarily as homes for old men, who,
as matter of fact, have been civil
ians during the past half-century,
and to whom their military service is
give as much variety to the life of
the homes as we can, and for this
reason have encouraged plays and
picture shows from time to time.
We have made the grounds outside
the homes attractive and the inside
of the homes sanitary and pleasant.
To be the head of either one of our
institutions for the old soldiers is not
the most pleasant position obtain
able. While the members, as
whole, are orderly and obedient, yet
there are those who are not so easy
to govern. 1t therefore requires a
great deal of patience on the part of
the commandant and the matron of
these homes, and many of the stu
ations are trying, to say the least. 1t
is necessary to treat all on an equali-
ty and favoritism must be shown to
none.
All applications for admission
must be first sent to the superintend-
gether with discharge or pension GER
tificate, and no applicant can be ad-
mitted until his or her application
Is approved by the Board of Control.
To be eligible for membership the
applicant must give proof that he or
she is citizen of this state and has
been bona fide resident of the state
for at least three years prior to date
of application. No person having
100000 or more in money or in
property, or both, is eligible for
membership, unless by special per-
mission of the Board of Control.
No person will be admitted or re-
tained who is insane, an imbecile, or
who is infected with contagious dis
ease. No married couple can be ad-
mitted unless they were married
prior to the year 1905. No furloughs
are granted for longer period than
six months. At the end of twelve
months continuous absence on fur
Tough or otherwise the names of such
absentees will be stricken from the
rolls.
All members of either home are
required to conduct themselves at all
times in a gentlemanly, soldierly and
orderly manner and to observe strict
courtesy towards the officers and
toward one another. They must dis
charge such duties and such fatigue
work of not less than one hour each
day, except Sunday, as may be re-
quired of them. Refusal to perform
such work or duty as may be assign
ed to him or her, disobedience OF
orders, disturbance of the peace,
boisterous and vulgar language, dis
respect to the officers, or conduct
either in the homes or outside that
would be prejudicial to the discipline
or the management of theshome, in
toxication, or the bringing of intox-
icating liquors on the grounds, shall
be punished by summary discharge
or furlough under order of the super
intendent or by an order not to leave
the grounds for thirty days or less.
The intoxicating liquor problem
was, before the prohibition law went
into effect, a serious one, but since
that law has prevailed a vast differ
ence is readily seen. And no one en-
joys this pleasure more than those
members of the home who we're not
addicted to its use. And even those
who formerly spent their pension
money for liquor now enjoy the
change, which permits them to pur-