The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-07-21

the nations capital. Gen. Curtis lost
the sight of one of his eyes at the bat
tie of Baskerville.
The general has inspected the SOL
diers' homes in many states during the
last six months, both state and ma
tional, and he expects to remain in st.
Paul for several days. The functions
Of the board Of managers for the ma
tional homes for disabled veteran SOL
diers, when first esta blished, only ex-
tended as far as the national homes
In 1883 q special act was passed by
congress which gives all state soldiers
homes an annual allowance of 500 per
capita for every old soldier cared for
during the period of one year. This
law also provided that annual inspec-
ton should be made of the state in
situations by the inspector general. 1t
was found later that the task Of an
nually inspecting the twenty-nfne state
homes and the eight rational institu-
lions would be entirely too heavy to
devolve wholly on one man, and pro-
vision was made by congress for an
assistant Inspector. Both the national
board of managers and the inspector
general and assistant inspector general
are appointed by congress, constituting
a separate branch Of the government
When seen yesterday. Gen. Curtis
said: II SO
1.-THE board now looks after eight
national homes and Twenty-Five state
hcmes. The population of the national
homes would range from $4,000 to 25,-
600 every year, according to the sea-
sons of the year. During the warm
weather the population Of the homes
is materially decreased, as many Of the
old soldiers spend a short time visiting
relatives and friends in the country
AS to the state institutions, I am now
making a tour Of the United States,
and as yet I have no complete figures
at hand.
II do not think the maximum popula-
ton of the soldiers homes throughout
the country has yet been reached. 1t
will probably be from three to five
years before the number Of old SOL
diers taken care of by the government
shows decrease. The returns of the
last couple Of years show steady in
crease in the number of inmates of the
homes. At the national home at Day.
ton, o., there are nearly 5000 old SOL
diers quartered, and the other ma
ticnal institutions range from 1000 to
5000.
Everything have seen at the Min
nesota home looks we'll and compares
favorably with similar institutions Of
other states. OF course, as I only ar
rived here today I have had no time
to make an extended investigation of
the DulIQlnSS anu Observation-Disclosures, out
from what I was able to see in my
short visit this morning Minnesota
can be proud Of the location and sur
roundings of the home.
1.-THE national homes at Milwaukee,
Dayton and other places, as well as the
state homes, all have an increasing
population every year, and it would
be impossible for me to say how long
1t will be before there will be no fur
Their need for soldiers homes. 1t will
entirely depend upon the circum-
stances.
Great care is exercised by the gov
eminent and the several states in
making as easy as possible the last
days of the old soldier. A pleasant
surrounding for the institution is one
of the most desirable things, and hap
PLY Minnesota certainly has a Very
pleasant place for the Soldiers home"