Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1885-05-09
LOCATING GAH0MESTEAD
FoR AGED AND irFiRm SOLDIERS.
The Legislative Committee ~ the Val
isf Ctr Discussion al The Morton
To-Oays Program.

mittoe. nov visiting diteEent localities of
the state and viewing eligible sites Tor the
proposed Soidisr's Home, assembled Al The
Morton yesterday afternoon. From here
thes were driven - the D., q. II. & NJ. de
pot where they received from the 5sO eK-
press the State viewing committee, consist
IN OF senators Austin, HuestOn and Francis.
and Represents N0rthSoOd Howell and
Ford. After lntroduetions aud cordial hand
shaking the gentlemen were de-
stributed among ths carriages and
the party Wa driven directly -
The Morton The contemplated drive
about the city vas postponed on account Of
the inelemency Of the weather. Al the hotel
the committees and several of the promin-
ent citizens met in the parlor, for the inter
change OF ideas and a better understanding
of the one subject to be considered.
Gen. Pierce, chairman OF the local COM
mittees, welcomed the visiting gentlemen TO
the city ia hospitable. well-ohOsen words
assuring the gentlemen that, although the
weather was inauspicious for Grand Rapids,
the committee and citizens welcomed them
warmly, and stood ready 10 do all in their
power 10 make their visit pleasant and
profitable.
Senator Austin replied on behalf of
the Legislative committee, thanking the
citizens for the welcome extended. and
giving a somewhat detailed account of the
committees trip throughout the State. At
Wyandotte they had found a tiattering offer
for the newly proposed State institution
the sanitarium property. Here was a build
ing already erected and furnished, supplied
with water, gas, sewerage and modern con
yeniences. zone hundred and twenty five
beds were already made up FOR the recep-
ton of the veterans" Around this building
are eight acres of land and the whole, on ac-
count of ia being wrecking institution for
all capital spent IN operating IT, can be pur-
chased for one half its original cost. One
hundred acres adjoining can be had at the
States own price. At Dearborn they found
another tempting propositon-the old ars-
email property. Here they found good build
ings, which could be had cheap and made to
served the desired purpose. At Mt. Glenn
ems, Port Huron and the Saginaws they
found beautiful sites and the two latter cities
would donate beautiful lands for the pur-
pose. Al Big Rapids and Muskegon they
were shown finer sites than they believe any
present State institution occupies, and both
cities will donate them 10 the State for the
Home. Mr.. Austin further said it was the
opinion of the committee that the Home
/ I.
State institution exists; that site of from
one hundred TO two hundred acres should be
secured. THE first thing the legislative
committee wishes to know" said Senator
Austin, "is that the citizens of Grand Rap
ids are in favor of the Soldiers Home pro-
iect then we hope she will say, as have the
several other cities. she has suitable site
TO donate for the purpose"
Representative Ford followed, speaking Of
Col. Sellers's equalization of bounties bill.
He said the bounties bill would provide for
the soldiers for few months, and cost the
State an immense sum OF money; the Home
would provide for the soldiers for life, and
cost the State a far less sum. He believed
the majority of the representatives at Ian
sing are in favor of the Home. There are
seventy five or eighty veterans now upon the
charity of the State, said he, "and the com
mittee also wished to know what provision
the city can make for caring for their wants
Immediately. In every location visited the
citizens have been highly in favor of a
Home. Some urge that the sending of the
aged and infrm and dependent soldier
boys to Harper Hospital, Detroit. would
be the best thing for the State.
We don't want TO send them 10 a hos
pital; we want to give them home
of their own. say 1t IL yours and haze
enough ground to give them air and exer-
else. The question of the donation Of a site
must now enter largely into the locating of
the home The committee must report the
proposed gifts of Port Huron. Saginaw. Bay
| City, Big Rapids and Muskegou. and
hope Grand Rapids Will stand ready to
make similar proposition"
Col. +. V. Fox said there had been but one
expression from the citizens Of Grand
Rapids--they are IN favor Of the Soldiers'
Home. He believed the true policy would be
| 70 locate the INSTITUTION Nnefe lht rHillef
would be the best able 20 care for himself
the Home should be a true home 70 him. IN
10 he should feel a proprietary interest
the building should be separated from
the immediate contact Of detrimental and
demosal-Ing institutions. Grand Rapids
has several sites where these features can bt
secured. and az the same time the insfitu
tiou can have fun benefit 81 the cIty's IN
fuences. her enterprise, pnsh and popula.
tion. her railroads. healthy climate and cen.
trsl location. Thas Grand Rapids lacks
state institution vouid seem to give hef
! consideration. II che Home shall be located
here the citizens viii take prlde in it for al
Z time. and viii show an interest in ~ we'll
( fare that cannot be surpassed by citizens a.
any other city
Hon. Henry Fraiick added emphasis lo ths
fact that Grand Rapids voeid be glad =
+ have fhe Home None of her citizens hav.
+ been sent to ask ths state for mv IF he
F institutions. He the1Eat e temporary piao
far the . er- now m poof hou-es 81.
ssgi1ans r OIL. -.ste ,aui3 o. provided Mr
F-aHcs rcf 81 ard -hsracfe