New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-04-01
THE DAYTON NATIONAL MILITARY
ASYLUM.

HOW OUR DISABLED VETERANS ARE CARED foh'
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: A short time ago, the editor OF Ihe
Erening Post printed telegram purporting to be from
three hundred New.YOrk soldiers, inmates OF the ma
tonal Military Asylum at Dayton Ohio, and charging
that the oppression Of the inmates was ntoerable ana
their accommodations abominable" This dispatch was
received by Mr. Cromwell Chairman OF the meeting heid
at the Cooper Institute tho 2lst ut and its publica
ton elected much sympathy for brave men; and.
though the telegram Dayton has been proved to be
forgery still there are many especially the reiauves Oh
the soldiers. who fear that the treatment OF the ihhae
in the National Asylum is not what 1t ought 10 De- and
their fears increased by the fact that new oth
deems IL necessary 10 establish otato Souets Vne
for her own veterans. - n, - 4.
Dayton formerly resident OF this city, who informs me
that tho anonymous patch Mr.. orwell prob
ably sent by a soldier who was discharged from the
with the Democrats of Dayton in effort to break up
the Asylum thus reduce the Republican vote in Mr.
Vslandgham's district lie states, however, that the
NewYOrk inmates are delighted at tho prospect OF get
ting back to their own State and having home WITHIN
easy visiting distance OF their families and former places
passed seven months at tho Dayton Asylum. and
can testify that the discipline was mid ana the
fare excellent. ] Dever witnessed or heard OF
any unkindness or indifference on tho part OF
the officers OF the institution toward the IN
mates The charge OF "ntolerance and oppression" Is
utterly groundless The officers of the Asylum are men
OF high character who appointed tothelr positions
account of faithful service in the late war ana pc
cause of their known Kindness OF disposition au eates
cOmrade, who has not been dlshonoraDy discharged viii
testify, am sure. that no more restraint or authority Is
exercised by the managers OF the Dayton House than Is
absolutely necessary for the maintenance OF goOd Oder
and the protection Of all 'Iis true guardhouse Is
kept for drunkards Crazy Ward for the insane and
dump squad" made up Of men who absent themselves
without leave guilty OF other petty msdemeanors
The " Dump Squad" are employed on the woodple ana
in policing the grounds. Inmates who conduct them
selves properly have facilities for passing the time pleas
antly unequaed and may say, unknown IN any pubic
benevolent institution III the land
boaI n he
and being provided with comfortable quarters bountfu
and wholesome food. clothing OF the army uniform ana
kind hospital when sick, the inmates of the Asylum
have the grounds for their special use; lt read
ing ROOM 80 by 100 feet in which there arc hes OF the
leading daily and weekly newspapers, secular and rell
gOns Tho het Works IN The English language
beside many popular books in French and German Sd
picture gallery Sox7O feet, filled with fine paintings
C aRa Of and
with fine stereopicon Tor sner sodiar nax
acquire thorough practical education and from which
accepably filling positions as teachers cleIks oookkeep
ers and telegraphers. 9TH There IS band OF music
mates at considerable expense to the INSTITUTION; 6tn
There is omnibus kept expressly Tor the soldiers
the city of Dayton distance Of three miles from the
Home 18th. There are two tenpn alleys Tor amusement
and exercise, together with bliard-room and supply
of backgammon boards for checkers &c sh There are
also the premises handsome welstocked deer PARK,
and il Two small lakes. with boats Tor recreation III
All the facilities have been provided by the Con-
gressOna Board present lho
President Of the United States the ChleT Justice aud the
Secretary Of War, eI o6tcO membcrs Gen b. f. Butler,
Gen Martndae OF New York. jay Cooke Of Philadelphia,
j Judge Bond of Baltimore Gov Smyth OF New Hampshire,
the Hon. L. b. Guncke OF Ohio, Dr. WacOt OF Wisconsin,
Gen Lavender OF ST. Louis and Cen Osborne OF Illinois
These alone sufficient TO guarantee good man
agement. one OF these members, Mr.. Gunckel. resides
Dayton and takes deep personal interest In all that
relates the happiness of the soldiers at the Dayton
Branch IL is possible that any cruelty or unknd
could be peTpCTated toward the inmates under his
paternal supervision. IL owing TO Mr.. Gunckeps
ndefa gable efforts In the Ohio State Senate that he
secured for Ohio soldiers the first state Home In the
Since the organization OF the National Asylum
Dayton Mr. g. has labOred with tho same energy 10
promote comfort Of the crippled veterans ard In all
that Government never pay the debt 1t owes to
her brave defenders
While 1t must be admitted then, that the Government
Homes afford all that reasonably be looked for In
public institution, they lack thing to complete the
soldiers comfort and that ID the coupanOnsp Of those
most dear TO them Very many Of the disabled soldiers
have been compelled to enter the asylum III order to
relieve wives and other relatives from the burden Of
their support IL a great hardship for brave sol
der who has sacrificed his health or limb III his countrYs
defense for want Of adequate compensation to be COM
PEELED also TO sacrifice the endearments OF his own pri
vate home. Would 10 God that each OF noble v0un-
teers could have home Of his own provided by the State
nation where he could live surrounded By kindred
death by consong influences OF the family relation.
be done, should at least have State
HOmes-not for each state but many in every State.
situated that the inmates shall be within visiting
distance OF tn, families aud friends. VETERAN
BrOOEiyH ". y, March 10, 1870.