The dispatch-news. [volume] (Lexington, S.C.) 1919-2001, 1921-02-23
SAYS CONFEDERATE HOME.
~ DEPLORABLE CONDITION

mittee is forced to report that in
/. their opinion the state has been Woe
fully derelict in it's duty to these old
soldiers Tin the South Carolina Con-
federate home), who were entitled
to be it's. proudest wards. We do not
believe that sue hconditions as now
exist at the Confederate home can be
found to exist in the most poorly
kept Jail in South Carolina.
Certainly there is no state prison
or reformatory in South Carolina that
would not be credit to the home in
which those are now incarcerated
who were at one time in the forefront
of the battlefelds of Virginia as the
proud representatives of our great
state"
So read excerpts from the report Of
the committee Of the general assem-
bly, appointed to investigate condi-
tons at the Confederate home for
old soldiers. On this committee were
Representative C. n. Sapp, chairman;
Senators NJ C. Harrelson and J. G..
Padgett and Representatives NJ. c..
Foster and j. r. O'Rourke. The re-
port was submitted last night.
Difficult to Picture.
A true picture Of conditions exist
ing at the home can not be conveyed
In the report, the committee says,
because it is impossible for the aver
age mind to visualize such conditions
existing in a home conducted under
the fostering care Of the state, the
Confederate Veterans association and
Sons and Daughters Of the Confed-
eracy.
Following these generalizations
comes a detailed report of the inves-
tigation. The main building, says
the report, is most unsightly by
reason Of it's dilapidated condition.
The roof leaks to such an extent that
the building is hardly habitable dur
ing a rain; the plastering is falling in
many rooms. The heating plant is
inadequate and the bedding, in the
words of the committee, 'is SO repul-
sive when it is realized that these old
men, wards Of the state, are forced,
without any alternative, to sleep in
such conditions, that we hesitate in
making a true statement in reference
thereto. but suffice it to say that in
our opinion no dog house kept by
any gentleman in this state would be
quite so unsightly and unsanitary."
+ The dining room is, too, lin a con-
dition which we do not believe would
this state if they knew the real con-
ditions" The hospital, says the re-
port, if not in much better condition
than any other departments to which
atettnion has been called. It is heat
ed by ordinary wood stoves. One
trained nurse is employed during the
day and at other times the inmates
are attended by negro male help, says
the report. From eight to - men,
IS or 80 years old, are confined in
this hospital at all times. Danger
from fire is also called to the atten-
ton of the assembly.
Suggest New Plant.
The committee reports that it be-
,ieves it would be economy for the
state to erect a new plant rather than
try to repair the persent one. 1t
recommends that new building,
costing approximately $4,000, be
erected. In case this be not done, the
committee recommends that not less
than $4,000 be appropriated for re-
pairs and for refurnishing the build
ing. In discussing the needs for a
new building, the report reads: Ger
tainly we are not so penurious as to
say that the state is unable to do this
small honor to the men and the
cause of which we are so proud when
we realize that we have now under
construction, and have constructed,
elegant brick homes, modern in every
respect, to reform criminal : negro
boys, fallen women and the feeble
minded, all Of which are perhaps
worthy objects, but certainly none Of
which, in our opinion, are so worthy
as the cause to which we are now
calling your attention.
There are sc inmates now in the
home, says the report, with several
on the waiting list. The committee
recommends that the superintendent
ha f~