The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-08-22
the consent of the soldier, from the pay
of each enlisted man.
MOST POPITT,AR DRIVE

the consent of the soldier, from the pay
of each enlisted man.
MOST POPULAR DRIVE.
In 1859 an act of congress changed
the name from Military asylum to
Soldiers home" reduced tine soldiers
contribution (stin with the consent of
Gi!e contTibutor) to 121a cents per
month, and extended the benefits of the
nome to the soldiers of the war of 1912.
Since that time congress, inspired by
lofty and patriotic sentiments, and
urged by humane and benevolent army
officers, has given valuable aid and en-
couragenent to this commendable in
stitution, until now, where General
Scott deposited his Mexican nest egg, a
half Thousand beautiful acres roll away
toward the Potomac. There are small.
well kept forests of rare trees and large
unkept forests of wild wood where
autumn leaves drift with the winds and
dead twigs are allowed to lie before they
fall. There are splendid buildings and
miniature lakes, little rolling n1ea-
dows and small gardens, and winding
through it all 10 miles of good, smooth
road, affording one of the pleasantest
and most popular drives about the
capital.
Here. in the old Homestead building,
which as been named for General An
derson, one of the early advocates of
the home, President buchanan spent
his summers. It was also the summer
residence of President Lincoln in 1S6164
and in the house Of the deputy COVER
nor the bed that Lincoln slept in is still
in use. President Hayes spent four
summers here, and President Arthur
two. The trustees of the home have al
ready paid out for the grounds and
buildings 81, SS3, 1915. and 100000 more
for grading and bridging the roads. An
derSon, Scott, Sherman and Sheridan
are among the generals for whom build
ings nave been named, and the splendid
white marble library building will help
to perDetuate the name of another il
lustrious warrior The principal build
sng for inmates is also white marble. of
Norman gothic design, 2515 feet long by
1882 feet wide; has a clock tower, and
will accommodate 440 inmates. besides
afferding rooms for offices. library,
mess room. etc. There are now FIVE
sets of inmates quarters. accommo-
dating, with the hospital. 500 or more
honorably discharged soldiers of the
army OF the 1000 inmates now on the
rolls, only zoo are within the home All
over the country there are little fire
sides that are made more cheerful each
month by the never failing draft for
IS from the home at Washington
PAID BY THE GOVERNMENT.
This. it should be understood, is not
an asylum for veterans of the late war
but a home solely for men who have
served regularly for 20 years, or who
have been wounded or have otherwise
become disabled anG are honorabiy dis
charged. The institution is almost en-
tirely supported by the regular army.
and the inmates, having been ddscharg-
ed, are all civilians Non pensioned in
and those who draw pensions from the
government may assign the same to a
wife, child or parent. and still enjoy the
privileges OF the home: otherwise the
pension money is paid to the treasurer
Of the nome and is held in trust for the
penSioner, who may draw upon it for
necessary purposes while an inmate
and receive all the balance 10 his credit
when discharged from the home. The
officers of the home are a governor, a
deputy governor, a secretary and treas
ur9r, and a medical officer detailed from
the army. The stgictest military disci-
pline is maintained; every man is made
TO account for himself. and the result
is that there rs perfect order and neat
ness everywhere, giving the whole place
a healthy home like air. Men Who are
aetailed to perform light work receive
25 cents a day for their services. There
IS a, neat chapel where Protestant and
Roman Catholic services are held every
Sunday. There is a very good brass
and string band made up Of old must
clans. a good library with ample read
ing rooms where SO papers and II pc
riodicals are received.
The amusement room. provided with
billiard and pool tables. and tables foI
card. douninoes. chess and games of like
character, is in the basement of the
main building. but it is poorly lighted
and not well ventilated. Occasional dra-
-71atic entertainments are provided fol-
from a small fund placed at the dispo-
sal of the governor. but an adecuatf
amusement. hall. is greatly needed
TIE place Is like q big club and it is