Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-11-12
THE SOLDIERS, HOME.
Annual Report Of the Commissioners,

Inc report of the commissioners of the Sol
dlers home for the year ending September 30,
1850, shows that the amount available for the
year was $267,OOO.15. The expenditures
amounted to $243.46S.9S, leaving an available
balance at the end of the year of $23,53l17
The expenditures included ST., 531.55 for the
new annex building, so that the regular ex-
pense of maintaining the home was SI7O-
937.43. One hundred and ninety two dis
charged soldiers received their original admis
sion to the home during the year, equal to the
number for the preceding year, which was the
largest since the establishment of the home
The number OF men who i'm any given period
seek the benefits of the home after leaving the
service is very small percentage of those dis
charged from the service under circumstances
which appear to give them the right to its BEN
ehts This is significant, in view of the fact that
large number OF these disabled men must in a
lew wears seek an asylum somewhere, and the
Soldiers home will undoubtedly have to re-
ceive and maintain them.
IMPROVEMENTS.
The extension to the north wing of the main
building was completed and occupied last No
vember. In the basement of the extension
comfortable amusement room was fitted up
with billiard and bagatelle tables, and proved
very satisfactory to the inmates. The new
dormitory was completed in October. 1t is now
occupied and will accommodate about 200
men, thus relieving the overcrowded quarters
and hospital Enlarged accommodations of
all kinds for future wants will be considered as
soon as the matter can be taken up. The dairy
department earned 80, 6O4 - during the year,
and the profits OF farming operations were
,S4,912.O9. The report states that there has
been
A VERY GREAT INCREASE IN DRUNKENNESS
during the year. One hundred and nine cases
were admitted to the hospital for inebriation,
against so cases the preceding year. The cause
for this is laid by the governor at the door of
the existing law for the disposition of the PEN
sion money of inmates. About one-tenth of the
pensioners assign their pensions to relatives.
The other nine-tenths, on whose account more
than $4,000 is paid quarterly TO the treasurer
of the home, are permitted to draw small sums
from time to time, while the larger amount
remains undrawn while they are inmates. This
shops, and is a constant temptation to those
easily Influenced. In many cases the possession
charged pensioners, is the sole object in leaving
the home. In few days the money is sauan-
dered, and the commissioners are asked TO
readmit a destitute old soldier. There are actual
cases of this description in the almshouse i'm
this city. 1t is considered impossible to secure
remedial legislation by Congress-, and the COM
missioners are compelled to fix a limit TO the
number Of such admissions and to permit the
pensioner to enjoy his pension and his liberty
without interval.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Attention is again called to matters requiring
Congressional action-a more speedy settlement
OF accounts in the Treasury department.; the
expense of keeping insane members of the
home at the insane asylum; the appropriation
of a reasonable amount to pay the home for
ground taken for a national cemetery. 1t NAV
be necessary to ask for special authority to con-
vey to the District of Columbia about halt an
acre of ground, appraised at $1,000, for the
new reservoir.
The governor and treasurer in their reports
mention the need of legislation 10 define and
regulate the administration of discipline, and
to direct the disposition Of moneys left by de-
ceased inmates. The benefits of the home are
conferred upon enlisted men who have been
placed on the retired list In accordance with the
decision of the Secretary of War of July IL
1885.