Title: Welcome Returning Soldiers
Date: January 9, 1919
Location: Boston, MA
Context: In preparation of returning soldiers
(Original document available here)
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives.
In order that Massachusetts may properly welcome her returning soldiers, it is necessary that some appropriation be made in advance of the general budget. There is nothing that the Commonwealth can do which will exceed the debt of gratitude due to the men who have maintained by their service and their sacrifice the ideals on which our institutions are founded. Their home-coming should show the desire of our people to welcome them not merely with a proper display but by giving them real material assistance in reaching their destination and taking up again the burdens of civil life.
There has been appointed a committee to welcome the returning soldiers, sailors and marines to Massachusetts. Two thousand dollars has already been appropriated by the Governor and Council before the beginning of the present session of the General Court. As the money at the disposal of the Governor and Council was in theory at least to be used in emergencies that might arise when the General Court was not in session, it seems best that application should be made to the General Court for any further expenditures.
It is also desirable that there be at the disposal of the State Department of Health means for protecting the public in the present emergency.
I therefore recommend that an appropriation be made before final action on the general appropriation bill for the use of that committee, for the preservation of the public health, and for meeting any emergency that may arise as a result of the present condition of war.
Citation: Messages to the General Court, Official Addresses, Proclamations and State Papers of His Excellency Governor Calvin Coolidge
The Coolidge Foundation gratefully acknowledges the volunteer efforts of Richard Link, who prepared this document for digital publication.