Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-09-19
GREAT DAY FOR VETS
Beautiful Weather at the
Capital and the Blue
Coated 0ld-Timers
ENJOY 1T MOST HEARTILY.
The Barracks Filling Up Rapidly
and Hawkers Are Happy.
HOW THE VETERANS ARE LODGED.
Arlington the Mecca for Most of the Doys in
Blue Just Now.
ENJOY 1T MOST HEARTILY.
HOW THE VETERANS ARE LODGED.
Arlington the Mecca for Most of the Doys in
Blue Just Now.
An ABOLITION OF THE SUNDAY LAWS
trRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT. I

"ASh1NSION, p" Ocpb 1o-1Hls HAS Dcen
great day for the vets. The weather is per.
feet, and while the temperature is so CRATE
ful and the atmosphere so free from all
miasmatic rapors there will be little fear of
serious sickness, even if the situation should
provoke bilious and malarial attacks The
few days that have passed since the great
rains have dried the grounds of the tents
and barracks so that a good blanket and the
bare earth make a safe couch for an old fel-
low who is used to roughing it.
1t was inspiring, and not little pathetic,
to see the boys in blue start almost as soon
as the sun was up to seek out the old battle
scenes, or rather the scenes of war camps
and forts and earthworks. Thousands of
the visitors had been stationed during the
war at one or more of the many forts with
which Washington was surrounded and in
their stay there had become thoroughly ac-
quainted with the city,. They expected to
be able TO start fair and go straight to the
old camping grounds, but only those who
have frequently visited the Capitol since
the war and who have kept pace with the
growth Of the city and with the action OF
time and the real estate speculator on the
earthworks, which are fast disappearing,
were successful in finding the way to even
the most prominent and best preserved of
the forts that were famous in their day.
Arlington the Mecca of the Visitors.
Out to the suburbs on the cable and cleo
tric cars, and then over the fields, hither
and yonder the old soldiers scattered them
selves until the whole country seemed full of
them. Arlington, however, was the Mecca
of most Of the sightseers, and all day, from
dawn till dark, the pretty road to that i'm
posing field of the dead was lined with Pc
destrians. Arlington, the old forts and
camps, and the long bridge which was so
important pass during the war, were ap-
p8rently the places of all others uppermost
in the minds of the veterans, and it is safe
to say that few of those who had arrived in
the city before this morning failed to visit
one or more of these historic spots.
The thousands who arrived during the
day busted themselves getting fixed in their
quarters, and most of them were clearly
pretty well done up with their journey op the
cars, and were rather disposed to catch a
little sleep than to engage in exploring
tours.
1t was unique sight to see the proceed
ings at the barracks and the tents in the
various camping grounds At the tents of
the post commanders there were crowds
registering their names, greeting old CON-
rades, sitting about in the shade smoking
aud spinning war warns.
TIE Barracks Filling Up Rapidly.
Few of the tents were occupied, but the
barracks were filling up rapidly, and in
hundreds of the hunks tired veterans were
sleeping or resting after having taken a
wash and bit OF cold breakfast, which lat
ter most of them had brought with them. A
big lavatory is provided with water pipes
and faucets and washbowls and towels and
soap, and here were long lines of dusty
men scrubbing the CRIME from their faces
and necks There is ro drain to carry away the
waste, and so ii is thrown on the ground to
disappear BY absorption or evaporation,
which is another evidence of the perfect
sanitary arrangements" that are the boast
OF the committees concerned and of the ex-
traordinary Health Department of the Dis
trict.
Near the washroom a dozen BARRIERS were
busy lstherine, scraping and haircutting
and talking an immense amount of wise
politics TO the old soldiers. Old house.
wives, not few of them, were performing
their abIutions at the washrooms as well as
the men, and it was evident they were
determined to Join their husbands in rough
ing it, and not leave all the fun to the old
men.
Adjoining the barracks the immense
sons at once, was doing thriving business,
though its golden harvest will come little
later, when the luncheons brought from
home are exhausted.
The Warnings Against Pickpockets.
On posts and sheds everywhere are tackled
signs suggesting to the old soldiers to be-
ware of pickpOckets, and they who have
luggage are commanded TO deposit it at the
L.. Il oh 60 -
no one will be responsible for losses other
wise Advertisements of picnics and ex-
cursions are scattered everywhere, and one
of the dodgers most frequently seen is q
notice of grand sprinting and running races
ct the baseball park, to be engaged in by
the veterans, the winner to get prize and
the honor OF the G. A. r. championship
Small merchants with brilliant stocks OF
badges and souvenirs called their wares at
every turn. Some were prepared with
blank badges OF all coiors and with num-
bers and insignia for every corps, division,
brigade, regiment and company, and with
a little ingenuity and mucIlage would man.
utacture badge for anybody in moment
on the spot.
Of course there was a fair sprinkling of
the veterans who like sup of something
good, and who are sure to get hilarious
when fighting their battles over again at
these annual campfres; and for these the
saloons were most of them wide open, the
liquor sellers having been tipped wink by
the authorities that they could forget the
Sunday law as they do on the occasion of
Presidential inaugurations.
All the Bars Wen Patronized.
1t was apparent that the bars were well
patronized, and many a good old warrior
with his boC1 companion of 80 years ago
warmed up TO the spirit of the holiday,
which means more to him than all the other
holidays OF the year combined.
A startling report went out a few days
ago that the Committee on Arrangements
had induced the Commissioners to permit
the sale Of liquor under q temporary license
on the grounds df the barracks and great
sensation was created by the rumor. Tenn
perance organizations protested, and the
President interested himself to the extent
of writing letter on the subject Mightier
than all, the Liquor sellers who have regu-
lar licenses, rose as one man in protest
They didn't want that sort of oppo-
sition. They had paid for their
privilege in the city. and hai subscribed to
the fund for expenses, and did not want q
cent of their legitimate Doodle to get into
the hands of any temporary rival If one
were permitted to set up shop m the midst
OF the barracks, all should have the privi-
lege. The protest of the liquor men car
ried the day, and so the money for beer and
Its more fiery relatives will be spent at the
regular bars.
The Corcoran Gallery Open Free.
One OF the most graceful acts of any of