Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1864-04-01

II any Of our readers chance TO visit Alex
andria let them not come away without looking
in at the "soldler's Rest" Il is situated near
the depot Of the Orange and AlexAndria rail-
road, and is an object worth seeing BY all those
who would know what means our government
is adopting 10 take proper care Of our soldiers.
Il has been charged that the Government did
not do enough In providing proper places OF
rest for the soldier, on his way to and from
the army and that individual enterprise had
TO step in and provide for the deficiency. But
here we have most substantial proof that the
GoyernmenLf fully understands the wants Of the
soldier, and performs what II undertakes in a
superior manner.
The credit of planning and erecting this
building is due to the Commissary Depart
ment; the perfection Of It's details and the neat
ness and high state of efficiency in which II is
kept, TO Capt. John J. HoG, who has CON-
mand. Inquire for the Captain when you
enter. He feels justly proud OF his works, and
takes great interest in showing visitors over
the Establishment. The grounds are laid out
with evident good taste and the buildings are
kept scrupulously clean.
II will give the reader some idea of the OK
tent OF this establishment when we say that
the main building is 800 feet long by "A wide,
and capable Of accommodating two full regi-
ments. The dining-room Is Of equal length,
the fare is served on nice clean tables, and
'contrabands as neatly dressed as you could
ind them In a Hrst-class hotel, are In at
tendance to wait upon the soldier, who feels
proud Of the attention. A spacious verandah
runs all round the main building, and when
liuhtRd mn nj Ut0ht
striking appearance. SO
All the buildings are kept comfortably warm,
well ventilated, and lighted with gas, OF which,
as well as water, there is an abundant supply.
There are spacious and well appointed wash
and bath rooms; a reading and sitting room,
with desks and writing material, TO which
will soon be added files Of papers from every
States In the Union, and TO which the soldier
can resort for news from home. There is an
immense kitchen, too, very model Of neatness,
OF perfect arrangements. There is not q first
class hotel In the country whose kitchen sur
passes this for neatness and good appointments.
Experienced cooks are employed, and the food
such as the most cynical coppcIhead could not
ind fault with. Such establishments as these
should be constructed in all great cities our
soldiers have to pass through.
The Park barracks, in New York, so long
managed for the benefit Of grog.shop politi-
clans, and a disgrace to the city, should be
swept away and Rest similar to that in Alex
andria, and under the control Of Government,
erected in Its place. Not only is the comfort
OF the sojourning soldier enhanced by such an
institution, but 1t is vastly economical. We
have no doubt that the Government has already
saved the cost Of the Rest In Alexandria by Its
practical workings in diminishing the expen-
ses Of feeding and lodging soldiers IN transitu.
Captain Hoff was colleague Of Broderick |
and Senator Conness in the California Legisla-
ture, and they and others defeated the plot to
divide the Territory into two States, one free
and the other slave.