The Portland daily press., 1896-02-19

WaC5F, anu In6 surroundings are very
attractive and interesting. There are 25
or more cottages on the ground, owned
in every case by comrade. There are
also three or four posts of the g. A. r
who have substantial buildings on the
grounds. At the time of my visit, they
had many of the tenJs belonging to the
state pitched and occupied by the COM
rades, and regular camp guard was orga-
nized and under the control of an off Ger
of thu guard and officer of the day. The
grounds were policed, and every night
dress parade was held. was accom-
panied on this trip to Camp Henson and
the Newport Home by A. A. Gen. Saw
yer, Chaplain Webster and S. ". Com
mander Goodwin.
NEWPORT RELIEF CORPS HOME. =
At the time of my visit to Camp BEN
son was invited by Mrs. Mason to in
spect the Home. AS you are probably
aware, it Is located on the grounds and
once belonged to the Camp Benson As
sociation. 1t consists of brick build
ing, one and a half stories, with large
barn of wood in the rear, and wide
strip of land in front gently soping to
lne banks of the lake in the distance.
The house is lily suited to the wants for
which it would be required, and at
present cannot accommodate more than
six or eight people with the necessary
attendants The situation and outiook
are good, and it would be exceedingly
difficult to find a more eligible site for
such a home, but new buildings are i'm
peratively needed. The old STRUCTURE In
such an event might be used for hospital
purposes or the like, but would notabe
available as home without an entire
remodelling and enlargement. Now,
comrades, you are probably as familiar
as your commander Of what has taken
place in our enoampments since Rock
land. three years since, in regard to the
home. At Skowhegaa last year an effort
WAS made to have the incoming comman.
der go before the finance committee of
the legislature and ask for an appropri-
alton for the purpose of building, or
rebuilding, set Of buildings at New
port, suitable for the home and its uses.
You will remember that the proposit-
ion was defeated after quite an animat-
ed discussion by decided vote Of the
encampment This action left matters
in such state that your department
commander has grave doubts as to the
status at present existing between the
so-called Maine Relief Corps Home and
the Department. Of Maine, g. A. B. I
regret exceedingly that this matter
should assume such an aspect during
my administration. and would have pre-
ferred to have my succeasor pass upon
1t, but am aware that it Is again to be
brought before this encnmpment for
aotion. The comrades are di led on this
question. and honestly, 80 believe, the
whole question revolves on the idea and
principle as to what is for the best in
terests of our pensioners and their fami-
lies, together with suoh as by reason of
age and bodily infirmities will in the
future be largely dependent upon the
government and the state, with such
assistance az the g. A. r. and their
auxiliaries, the State and National Re-
lief Corps, Sons Of Veterans and Ladies'
Aid, can give. Many of our most promi-
nent comrades believe that 1t IL infinite
cared for in their declining years at
their own homes, rather than to take
them in their old age and inf1rmities to
new scenes and surroundings and to
form new friends and acquaintances
away from home. Besides, many believe
that if such a home is established it
would not be able to accommodate by q
small percentage of those who would be
entitled to its benefits, and a large ma
jority of our comrades believe that if
such an enterprise is a success it IN ust
be managed and controlled by a board
of officers consisting of comrades of the
6. A. r. If such is the case, where nre
Uno IuuQS GO OOIu0 from TO DulIQ the n6O-
essary building. to say nothing of sup
porting the home after 1t is established.
The G. A. r. certainly cannot do 1t,
and at the same time, carry on their
charitable work, which is increasing
rather than diminishing now that COM
rades are growing old and infirm. Can
we with good grace ask the state to do
this for us without acting to the detri-
ment of our state PENSIONERS Our noble
state has done much for the veterans of
the war. Until at the present time ap-
propriated $780, per year for the relief
of our suffering comrades ana their de-
pendent families, but there must and is
limit to this generous action of the
state, which is worthy Of all commenda-
tion and praise by every one who wore
the blue from 81 to '65. Then let us con-
slider this grave question in all It's bear
ings and without prejudice. acrimony or
passion and so act as Will rebound to
the best interests of that class of our
comrades who need all the aid and as
sistance that can be given them to en-
able them in their declining years to live
in comparative comfort and ease till the
last trump shall call them over the river
AN HONEST MAN.