Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-05-02
Our Washington Letter.


Washington during the summer and, for that pur-
pose, has arranged for a residence at
THE SOLDIERS HOME
As this is the loveliest spot In about the city
some little description OF II may not come amiss
at this time. The Home Ia situated within mile
Of the business portion OF the city, on the hill over
looking the town. When our army captured the
City OF Mexico, instead OF sackng the city, Cen
eral Scott levied sum Of three hundred thou
sand dollars. A portion Of this money was ex-
pended In relieving the wants OF the soldiers, and
the remainder, which amounted to little over
one hundred thousand dollars, was turned into
the Treasury. It had always been one Of General
SCOTS hobbies to establish home for old and
disabled soldiers, 80 as to render them indepeud
ent In accordance therefore, with his wishes,
in March, 1851, Congress passed an act establish
ing a military asylum" and authorizing the
withdrawal Of the money placed in the Treasury
by General Scott to be used for the asylum. The
act also provided that each soldier in the United
States army shall contribute twenty-five cents per
month from his pay towards the support OF the
asylum, and that all forfeitures by court martial
and money due to dead soldiers, unclaimed after
three years, shall be placed to the credit Of the
asylum. The one hundred thousand dollars first
appropriated by Congress is all that the Home
has ever received from that source and its only
income is from the ranks OF the army. In no
sense 1t is public charity. The original purchase
Of ground for the Home was from Mr.. George W.
Riggs, the Washington banker, comprising two
hundred acres, and including the mansion. The
grounds were afterward extended by the pur-
chase Of the Hardwood estate, at a very low rate,
from Mr.. W. W. Corcoran. The grounds now
stretch over five hundred acres, finely improved
and containing over twelve miles Of carriage drives
The Home, browning as II does the highest OF
the hills on the northern outskirts OF the city,
spreads ont its domains over knoll and valley, en-
comprising grove, and lake, and meadow, and
every beauty OF nature with which an artist de-
lights to adorn soft landscape Winding road
twinkle through the groves and make wide cir
cults through this modern elysium. At every
turn of the road some new charm OF landscape
view discloses itself Gentle inclines, pleasan,
glades, shadowy waters, and groves renewing
their green suits for the summer make a scene that
tempts the visitor to halt, and like the old soldier
reposing on rustic seat in some shady nook, Civ,
mp the remainder OF his days to the tranquil con
temptation of the benefcenre OF nature. The
Home building and the residences OF the officer
are OF white hammered marble, OF beautiful de-
sign and fine finish There is a little chapel,
where Catholic service is held one portion of the
day and Protestant the other; and there is also
fine hall for society meetings. large hospital
building has been erected on the southern border
OF the grounds, Gaping hill that fronts the
Home. The hospital is considered one of the
finest in the country, being built and fitted up with
all the latest improvements in sanitary science
There is also fine library and reading-room, and
extensive gardens which furnish fresh vegetables
OF all kinds and contribute to the health and good
fare OF the inmates At present there are about
five hundred old soldiers at the Home They are
not required to do anything except behave them
es, and the little community is very orderly,
They wear sort of fatigue uniform, with blouse
and cap. Some of the veterans go away every
summer in search of work, as they become tired OF
the quiet life at the Home, but they always return
when cold weather sets in. Soldiers with pen.
sons are obliged to forfeit them upon entering the
Home; but they draw small sum of pocket none,
each month from the Home fund. They are proud
of the institution, and always glad to welcome
visitors.
| 1t is here that President Hayes approaching the
exquisite loneliness of the spot, has decided to
| spend the summer months with his family On
the summit of a noble swell stands the Home
and adjoining 1t is the old Riggs mansion, which
is to be
THE PRESIDENTS SUMMER RESIDENCE.
Long before General Scott began to dream o.
refuge for veterans, the Riggs mansion stood here
the grandest residence in the suburbs of the youn.
capital of the nation. Vines and ivies Chamber over
the broad verandah, cling to the brown stucco work
Of its walls and wreathe the gables OF the roof Tn,
southern front, with its deep verandah, out upon
| which open long windows, its gables, ives and
| smooth lawn, is the most attractive. On til,
west side IL large bay window and on the east
a snmmer-house The mansion is fitted up for u
summer residence, with as little furniture ~ pos
-be, and that not cumbersome or heavy. Som'
Of the rooms are carpeted lightly and richly
There are side-boards and tables and chairs al
Of them modest in preten-ions. This house ha'
always been set apart for the use of the President
President Buchanan WAS the first IN spend hi
summers at the Home President Lincoln FOL
lowed the example OF his predecessor, and spen
all his summers in the old mansion, with the ex
ception of the last, when he occupied the present
residence OF General Pitcher the governor of til,
Home Neither Presidents johnson nor Grant r.
sided at any time at the Uome but during tbei
administrations exte,siva imnrovam.,,s wsr,
mazda and the gropnds were enIar oed and beauti
fed 1t is now surrounded by one of the most at
,rac,,ve narLs in the ctv Ono of tho chief baau,ia
~ tho Mace IL the s,lendid via,p Dnwn helo,
tho beautiful mark stretches the wide CITY with II,
numberess houses; in the distance the whit
dome of the Canito, looms mn and far bevon,
the broad Potomac sweeus its wav hetween II,
MARYLAND and Virginia shores making pracefu
bends and disanpearinp ON the horizon with IN,
hlue ridces NJ Virpini, No one who visits IN,
national canita, sbonIa fail IN see "tbe Soldiers
Home
THE LOUISIANA sENAroRsHIP.
II the Southern policy of President Hayes is t,
be antagonized in Congress- the election OF Judg,
Spohord TO the Senate, bythe NICHOLS legislature
will afford the occasion. Spohord VIII, withou
doubt present his credentials as a senator on thu
first day OF the special session, andat the start tn
Senate will be called upon to decide whethe
Kellogg or Sponord Is ehtiueu 10 the seat I'M
will necessarily invite reopening OF the entir
Louisiana dispute, and II there is TO be genera
fnsiade on the Southern policy OF the Presiden
It VIII not De the want oil an occasion ior an al
tack which Will prevent Its being made Nor is /
a subject which S'n be brushed aside. 1t Is tn
impression here that Eusts' VINO was elected u