Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-11-28

trees will form feature, and in the far
background the eucalyptus will be
planted.
Already there are forty.one old soldiers
at the Home. Temporary quarters have
been prepared for them, and they are as
happy as can be on the sunny slope of
the Buenos Ayres. Two of the big Gov
ernment buildings are nearly finished,
and two others are well under way.
| Ihese cost $25, 1888 each, and are intended
to accommodate 200 soldiers each. Two
OF these will be thrown open in about
month, and soon after that there will be
400 veterans at the Home. In short
time more the other two buildings will
pe done when there will be accommoda-
tlons for 800 soldiers. These four
Dnlloings form a quadrangle, and
Delow these are to be constructed
four others with a larger QUAD
rangle between the two groupes
eight buildings covering a space of ten
acres. Behind the upper pair of these
will soon be built great dining hall and
kitchen. There will be mess room for
$500 comrades. 1t is the plan of the
Government to build in all twenty-five of
these great structures at the Home, thus
providing for 5000 men. There are old,
sick and poor veterans to fill them all,
and it is to be hoped that the
next Congress will vote not
less than $250,000 for these purposes.
Senator John P. Jones, of Nevada, is
we'll acquainted with the site of the
Home, and he will be of great value in
helping to procure this appropriation.
WHAT GENERAL FRANKLIN THINKS.
General Franklin was one of the gentle
men VINO year ago selected the Home.
while he thought we'll of 1.-THE was known
as not being SO enthusiastic as some of
his companions. 1t will be remembered
| that the day on which the committee
visited Santa Monica, was verv rainy.
| and no view of the Landscape was
possible. Yesterday was a delightful
one. There was scarcely a cloud in the
sky and the sun shone warm and BRIGHT
all day long. The mountains stood out
in bold relief around full half of the
horizon, and the city OF Los Angeles
arose distinct to view on her hills in the
middle distance. The whole coast as far
as Newport Bay could be scanned in the
white light of the cloudless day, and then
to the westward the broad, calm Pacific
pulsated under the rays of the sun. While
sitting on the veranda OF the pretty cot
tage which serves as General .sTriechle's
quarters, General Averell said:
"Just think, this morning Gen. Frank
lin got telegram from his wife at Hart
ford telling him of the terrible blizzard
that is laying New England desolate, and
here we sit in as warm sunshine as if it
were May. The grass is green all over
these plains and the barley is springing
up in the fields below us,''
Yes" said the reporter, "and if you
desire to take plunge in the sea there at
Santa Monica you will find the water of a
most delightful temperature. It is that
way all the months of the year. I have
seen children in there bathing in Feb
ruary as if it were June"
The conference being at an end, and
the gentlemen having explained the
matter in hand fully and satisfactorily to
General Franklin, the reporter was able
to get word with him before the train
left. He said he was never 80 surprised
in his life as when he saw the landscape
andthe sea spread before him from the site
OF the home. He liked it year ago, but
he had no conception until yesterday of
the grandeur and beauty OF the scene. The
whole thing taken together he pro-
nounced the finest he had ever seen.
The magnificent mountain scenery on
one side, the fertile and broad plain on
the other; the fair city of Los Angeles
here and the broad ocean there, did in
deed present most charming panorama,
and General Franklin seemed fully
aware Of all its combined attractions.
General Averell is one of the most
enthusiastic converts who ever visited the
Coast. This is his first glimpse of Cali
fornia, and he is fascinated. There is
little knoll between the Home and the
ocean which he wants to own as his
home. 1t is on the San Vicente ranch,
the property of Senator Jones and
Colonel Baker. They could drive good
bargain with the General, for his is love
at first sight, and he "has it bad" But
the Senator and the Colonel are too
generous for that.
The Home team was driven up and
the party rapidly whirled to Santa Monica
to catch the train, which conveyed them
all to the city at 4 40.