The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1921-03-01
SAYS CONFEDERATE HOME
IN DEPLORABLE CONDITION
Investigating Committee Reports
State Woefully Derelict in Care
of Old Soldiers

''It is with shame that your COM
mittec 5 forced to report that in
their opinion the state has been woe
fully derelict in it's duty to these old
soldiers Gin the South Carolina Con-
federate home), who are entitled to
be it's proudest wards. We do not
believe that such conditions 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 a 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-
tions at the Confederate home for
old soldiers. On this committee were
Representative C. N. Sapp, chairman
Senators NJ. C. Harrelson and ]. 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 convey
ed in the report, the committee says,
because it is impossible for the aver
age mind to visualize such conditions
existing in home conducted under
the fostering care Of the state, the
Confederate Veterans association
and Sons and Daughters of the Con-
federacy.
Following. these generalizations
comes a detailed report of the inves-
tigation. The main building, says the
report, is most unsightly by reason
of its dilapidated condition. The roof
leaks to such an extent that the build
ing is hardly habitable during rain
the plastering is falling in many
rooms. The heating plant is made
quate and the bedding, in the words
of the committee, ''it is so repulsive
when it is realized that these old men,
wards of the state, are forced, with
out any alternative, to sleep in such
conditions, that we hesitate in max
ing 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, Gin con-
dition which we do not believe would
be tolerated by the good citizens Of
this state, if they knew the real con-
ditions." The hospital, says the re-
port, is not in much better condition
than any other department to which
attention has been called. 1t 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 IL men, IS
or 80 years old, are confined in this
hospital at all times. Danger from
fire is also called to the attention of
the assembly.
Suggestion New Plant
The committee reports that it be-
lieves it would be economy for the
state to erect new plant rather than
try to repair the present one. 1t rec
ommends that a new building costing
approximately $4,000, be erected.
In case this be not done, the commit
tee recommends that not less than
$4,000 be appropriated for repairs
and for refurnishing the building. In
discussing the needs for new build
ing, the report reads: Certainly 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 real
ize that we have now under construc-
tion and have conNtructed 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 opin-
visit to her parents, Mr.. and Mrs. P.
L. Langford.
DR.. and Mrs. j. A. Hunt Of Saluda
.ro,+ C,,od,y with Mr. and, Mrs B.