Evening star., 1886-11-27
THE SOLDIERS, HOME.
Annual Report of the Board OF Com.
nliSsiOncrS.

Annual Report of the Board OF Com.
missiOners.
THE NUMBER OF INMATES OF THE HOME IN
CREASIEG, BUT THE FUNDS DIMINISHING
GOVERNMENT AID NEEDED TO KEEP THE
ROADS IN CoNDITIoN-A PROPOSED ANNEX.
The annual report Of Gen. Sheridan, as presi-
dent of the board of commissioners OF the Sol
diers' Home, shows that the number of regular
inmates OF the home September 80 1885, was
$50; admitted and readmitted during the year,
80, making total OF 1905. Ninety-three
were discharged during the year on their own
request, 80 suspended, % dropped for absence
without leave and from "out-door relief" dis
missed, abandoned the home and IL died,
leaving S94 receiving the benefits Oh Septem-
Der 80, 1856. There were 1877 temporary
admissions during the year, nearly all for the
purpose of awaiting the examination of their
Gases for regular admission. There were So
such inmates September 80, 1886, making the
total number at the home, 9,46O The num-
the year by regular admission anu for "outdoor
reilef was 2OS, which is Ii more than any
other year since the establishment of the home
Two hundred and thirty-one members are al
lowed to make their residence elsewhere and
are paid an allowance. called "Outdoor relief i"
not exceeding So per month.
THE INCOME OF THE HOME DIMINISHING.
"A very large amount of money remains due
ehS AoAAS Jill tuc Oiu uuSetbleO accounts IN
the Treasury department. The ecurrentincome,
apart from the interest upon the reserve iund.
appears To be diminishing. This income is the
deduction OF 12l2 cents per month from the
pay OIL each soldier, and the StoppageS fines
forieitures, from month To month, on the ac-
counts OF the pay department OF the army. In
1884 the amount derived was $12S,O26 65; In
ss7, 7,7O4.3 .34-a decrease OF S37,573.44 from the
average OF the two preceding years. The COM
missioners are unable to explain the cause
lnaSmnch - " hnS hoos, tt.r
the amount OF pay no less, it must, therefore,
be attributed to the settlements in
the tn, n,,,,lr Treasury department being less in
periods, - or fewer payments to the
army. The fact remains that, in order
tom TO MAINTAIN tue home during the year the cur
S47 900 from the reserve fund. II is suggested
That an agreement be made between Tue pay
that the former may ascertain and certify the
amounts due the home before the accounts
pass TO the latter for final settlement
HOME PRODUCTS.
1t Is shown that the value of the farm and
dairy products exceeded the expenses of those
81, ,SO6.6O, while the account with the gardens
SLOWS u balance against the department meet
Ing the ornamental expenses OF 81 ,647.99.
BUSINESS OF INMATES.
The amount paid TO individual pensioners
during the year was SAC, ,534.S3. The commits
of existing law, regarding the payment of large
pensions 10 men VINO have ali their wants SUP.
piled by the home, but it should be remarked
that sum OF money almost equal 70 one-fourth
OF the expenses OF the home Is not only TO in
mates, the nOsJ of whom have little profitable
use tor II, but an officer Of the home is obi led
TO be the custodian OF the funds and to perform
great amount Of labor In keeping individual
accounts. No building operations were carried
on during the year and no real estate was pur-
chased.
Still Iurther space,
LARGE ANNEX TO THE MAIN BUILDING
for cooking and messing, as well as for dorlni.
tories, is demanded by the increased number of
inmates, and plans have been adopted and are
now being proposed, with estimates tor u large
extension to the main building, which will cost
about SI5O,OOO. AT the last monthly meeting
The home TO place inmates i'll the building here
tOIore reserved as a summer residence fol .ne
President. This was necessary In order 10 re-
neVe OVercrOWoed quarters.
AN APPEAL TO CONGRESS FOR AID
The Commissioners urge that strong appeal
be made to Congress for some measure of relief
by an appropriation to keep up the repairs to
roadbeds, bridges, cutters, &C., for about ten
miles length OIL drives in the home grounds.
The grounds have become necessity as q re-
sort, not only Tor the people of Washington but
Ior the multitude OF Visiting strangers. 1t
would be unwise and deprivation To the peo-
pie Of w aSn1ngtOn to close the grounds and the
expense ought not longer 10 be imposed upon the
overtaxed income OF the home. 1uere can be no
uOuDts soy 0Cd. SuCIAudl, Oh t00 pfOOrl6ty OF
an appropriation. Its use in maintaining q
public privilege of the most acceptable KIM is
abundant reason for granting 1t. More particu.
lar Information can be given with respect to
the amount required and Lne special uses to be
made OF 1t At The time OF legislation.
The Diplomatic and Consular Estimates.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF SECRETARY BAYARD
Secretary Bayard, in preparing the diplo-
matte and consular estimates for the fiscal year
1SSS,recommends that several diplomatic mis-.
sions be raised to the plenipotentiary rank, az
nearly all foreign countries send to the United
States ministers Of the plenipotentiary grade.
The estimates submitted provide for two such
changes at present. The title of our represenL.
alive 70 the Argentine republic Is changed from
minister resident and consul general 70 envoy
| extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary
| and the salary raised from 81 800 ID
| 10000. In Belgium the grade Is changed from
| minister resident u envoy extraordinary and
| minister plenipotentiary, and the salary In.
| creased from $7, 500 to $40 600 The estimates
| further provide for secretaries of legations In
| The Argentine republic, Belgium Corea the
Netherlands, Roumania, Sarvia and Greece
sweden and Norway, Switzerland and Venexu
ella, NJ 81, 800 each, and for tour secretaries O
legation al large, at salary of 81 800 each and
q sum Of $4,000 Tor their expenses: in all
$1,000.
| Herbert Bismarck had long interview Tues
day with Count Schouvaio0. Russian am
basSador at Berlin. Count bismarck said thai