Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1879-01-30
ayarf to the Public.

WASHINGTON G. H., o., Jan. %, 1873.
EDS. HERALD:
Permit me, through the columns Of
your valuable paper, to lay before the
public a statement of facts about the
Home for disabled soldiers, near Dayton,
under Butler and Governor Brown, and
to show that partiality and favor are the
main features of the Institution.
was received as an inmate in October,
1869, and remained there till December
1871, when took my discharge, to strive
to make a living outside, but found that
the disease had contracted la the army
prevented me from realizing what 1 had
hoped to obtain, and was compelled to
again seek admittance to the Home; but,
before reaching it, was totally prostra-
ted and was eharitably taken in at Fayette
County Infirmary. made application at
four different times and was refused ad-
mission,on the ground that was NOT dis
abled in the Volunteer serviee-a letter
from the surgeon of my regiment C10s Q.
". H. to the contrary notwithstanding, to
whom Iwrote, and who stated 1 was per-
manently disabled IN the volunteer ser
vice, IN the above regiment; and he would
have given me my discharge, on a sur
geon's certificate of disability, but as the
war was drawing 20 close, 1 preferred
the more independent one, expiration of
service. Now, l consider, and appeal to
the public, that having been admitted in
the first instance, and an inmate for over
two years, that am entitled to the same
privileges now; and, in justice to my
self and others, who have not been fairly
dealt with, by either Butler or Brown,
ask them (the public) to judge of the facts
in the case-which is only one of many
and to say, if those disabled during the
war should be refused the benefit of the
Home, and therefore, be compelled to
seek food and shelter elsewhere, where
charity and not entitlement protects
them. am now 54 years old, and so dis
abled that cannot make living (Which
statement can substantiate at any time),
I appeal, therefore, to a people who have
ever sympathised with the soldiers of the
Union, whether that shelter accorded me
for two years and upward should not be
given me again in my disabled condition
and adERncing age.
Both Butler and Brown are receiving
much benefit from the Home, pecuniarily
and in many other ways, and it is a ques-
ton, if the liberal sum the former re-
ceives for the support of all these homes
be judiciousiy and strictly appropriated
as it should! Precedent, perhaps, would
answer in the negative. Or, that the gem
erous and expensive improvements which
are in process every year, contribute moi
| more to the comfort and accommodation
of officials and visitors than the inmates
Governor Brown has good berth, is lore
paramount, and his will is law, and from
a comparatively humble position, has s
highly remunerative sinecure, or nearly
so, which could be filled by many of it,
Inmates, and should be by some worthy
officer of long standing and meritoriou
services, either in the army or on the re
tired list, who would feel for the infirn
soldier who asks his protection mor'
sympathy than either Butler or Brown
seem inclined to offer.
J. BRUssow,