Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-05-28

gross. The National Soldiers Home north of
this city Is perhaps the only soldiers home
familiar to Washingtonians although it is of
but small importance compared with tire seven
great national volunteer homes, being devoted
exclusively 10 veterans of the regular army and
quite separate and distinct from the national and
state homes for volunteers. The natiOlud
homes for volunteers, which grew mp side
BY side with the present gigantic pen
sion system. constitute collectively an i'll
stltution of public philanthropy and aP-
precIative gratitude altogether unparalleled
and unique In the history If nations The fact.
too. that they are jIst row rounding ont heir
first quarter ceutG-y of existence makes them
az this time subject Of particular interest.
They are with us. bat how did they come?
ORIGIN OF VOLUNTEER HOMES.
Before the hostilities of the rebellion had
happily ceased with the surrender at Appomittox
tidal wave of sympathetic solicitIde for the
injured overswept the victorious north. This
sentiment took or a concrete form in an act of
Congress approved March 3. 1865. by President
Lincoln Incorporating a National Military and
Naval Asylum for the relief of the totally dis
Rbled officers and men of the volunteer forces
of the United States. provided the sum of
100000 should first be subscribed or donated
before the selection of sites erection of build
ings should be begun. The permanent funds
were to be derived from popular contributions
lEOn Iint~ anu lplleltIFts III l0e army anu
navy The bill passed both Senate and House
with practically no debate.
THE LIST OF INcoRPoRAToRs
embraced 100 names of men most eminent in
the country. Of all ayocations and irrespective
of political pan ties. military and naval heroes
fresh from the fields of victory. statesmen.
publicists. historians. financiers clergymen and
editors. Among them were Gen. Grant. Ad-
mirill FarrsSut, Hannibal Hamin. Andrew
johnson Salmon i. Chase. Edwin VI. Stanton,
George bancroft. William. i. sherman John A.
Andrew, Andrew G.. Curtin. Oliver P. Morton,
Benjamin t. Butler. George @. Meade. Nathan
lei L. Banks. JOSEPH Hooker Iichard ].
Oglesby. Henry Ward Beecher. John 4. Logan,
Carl Schurz, Horace Greeley, William b. Aston,
james Gordon Bennett. William NJ. Eyarts JAY
Cooke. Oliver Wendell Holmes. William Clafin,
john W fOrney. Bishop VI. Simpson and Will
lam Henry Claiming. The country, though
impoverished BY waSteful war. responded gem
erously and promptly made up the preliminary
fund
At the next Congress the necessary amend
ments were added To the law, with a significant
change. representing a years evolution of public
feeling. that the homes should not be simply for
those actually and totally disabled. but also for
those who might be disqualified for earning
their own support through wounds or sickness.
The naval feature was eliminated. to be treated
Independently elsewhere. and the homes were
designated ''the National Military Asylum"
Managers were appointed in the persons of
Oglesby of Illinois. Butler of Massachusetts
Frederick Smyth of New Hampshire. Lewis j.
Gunekel OF Ohio.Jay Cooke ofPennsylyanis. P.J
Osterhaus of Missouri. John II. Martirdale of
New York. II. G. Stebbins of California and H.
Walker of Wisconsin. and the President Of the
United States, the chief justice and the Secre-
tary of War were made eN-Oficio managers.
Then sites were procured. buildings erected and
the asylum got into working order.
THE FIRST SET OF BARRACKS
were estabizhed at Dayton, Ohio. in 1867. Just
twenty-five years ago. They accommodated
nine hundred and sixteen inmates the first year.
The name was speedily changed from ASYLUM
to home, and then. step by step as the ap-
parent necessities amphned. the scope of the
institution Was enlarged until there are in
ali seven homes or branches under one general
management. for which the last Congress ap-
prODriatec for the present year 50 AZ 093 The
central branch Is at DAYTON, Ohio. the north
western branch at Milwaukee. Wis. the eastern
at Togus. Ne. the southern at Hampton. Va
the western AZ LeSyenwOrth. Kan, the Pacific
at Santa IOnica. Cal. and the newest and last
branch at Marion. Ind These seven accommo-
date 1892 men.
IL i interes ting 70 note that ont OF the total
number o: Unl1g troops furnished by ali the
state durInS The war. said TO be 2.17S, 304 only
5o.ObS have been cared for in the national
homes since their foundation. The state of
New York. which sent nearly half a million
men TO the war or I6 per cen. of the whole
number. has had only iO.76S cared for by the
homes The average rate of increase in the
humber Of inmates each year is about 10 per
cent. due 10 the increase OF disabilities of the
men III that proportion.
FOREIGN AND NATIVE INMATES
Another significant and noteworthy fact IA
that 50 per cent of all the inmates. according
10 official tables. are foreign born. whereas this
same Class. according To unofficial authorities,
composed only % per cent of the Union army
native Americans furnishing the remaining IS
per cent OF the q. Isl entertained in the
homes last year 9.6Z7 were natives while II, $50
were ''reign born. OF these latter 5. 40 came
from Germany and 2sS from Ireland Canada
scotland and Switzerland, in diminishing order,
supplied the majority OF the remainder
SILL another notable fact concerning the in
mates u the national homes Is that there are
but few members OF the liberal professions and
hlgher skilled trades among them. OF the
y .l5d inmates last year .Sl9 had been Elborers
S.ll2 farmers. $50 cGrpente.s 662 shoemakers
and OIL clerks There were only 30 who
had been lawyers. 40 who had been physicians,
Is ministers and only editors.
Az The organization % the homes the average
cost per capita was SOL. After that il was re-
duced as low as $50 IN 1ssO. and then to sI25
In 1886. Now it Is S139.5O. The total aggre-
gate Of expenditures the homes for mainte-
nance, not construction, has been lie, 742 694 So
TIE DAYTON HOME
b by far the largest Ii accommodates 5 900
inmates The buildings spacious and very
comfortable, empowered n green groves and
interpreted with grassy lawns and walks arts
teally set with shrubbery. Porches around the
buildings afford pleasant breathing space for
the veterans. and miniature lakes and grot-
toes, waterfalls and fountains offer additional
attractions The home is warmed and lighted
with natural gas
THE EASTERN BRANCH
b not so pleasantly situated. Around it is an
extensive tract OF mOrsss land almost irreclairn-
able The buildings are heated BY steam and
lighted by electricity. A deer park and green
house are attached to the grounds. The home
at Leayenworth. On the wide bluffs Of the ives,
bank of he Missouri rIyer comprises a pictur.
ssque group OF buildings Handsomely con-
stTucted and heated BY steam. surrounded BY a
broad landscape Of great beauty.
THE MILWAUKEE HOME.
Not quite SO comfortable is the Milwaukee
Home, but the buildings are architectural;
beautiful. lighted with electricity. heated b,
steam and supplied with water from artesiar
wells Perhaps the most delightfully."- situated
of all If the Hampton Home. facing Hampton
Roads BY the sea. and thus a ing the men In,
benefit Of refreshing breezes- The build
inss are constructed on the Oue-story pavilion