The Sunday globe., 1901-06-16
LIBERTY IS SWEET
And the Soldiers Home Inmates
Yearn for it.
CASE OF ALEXANDER SNODGRASS

Crust on The Outside 10 Even Luxury Under
The Discipline Of Tho sttulIOn-Why Cant
The Government allow The Old Soldier The
Amount il takes 10 Keep Him al the HOme'
The soldiers Home of Washington,
has almost a world wide reputation.
The beauty of its surroundings is un-
equaled even in this city Of handsome
ly laid out mansions and suburban pal
aces The landscape artist and nature
have conformity labored to make it
thing Of beauty and a JOY forever "
But it is equally true of the Soldiers
Home as Of the Palace of King-it
is a semi-prison to those who are fore
ed by their circumstances to live there,
and, Notwithstanding that its inmates
are provided for as no other Govern
vided for the defenders of country
and Of flag, there is hardly an eXsoI-
dier able to move around but who
would prefer to live in a hOvel on the
outside and enjoy his liberty provided,
the Government or the Home would
allow him in cash his annual cost at
the Home The general of the Army,
Nelson A. Miles, is chairman, and the
Adjutant-General the Quartermaster-
General, and the Surgeon-General are
members of the board of managers Of
this home. Only the eX-soldiers of the
regular army are qualified for admis-
sion. the volunteer soldier being pro-
yided for by the Government at the
homes in Hampton Roads, Dayton,
Ohio, Milwaukee, Wis, and in the
homes of the various States and Ter
ritories Of the Republic, so that not
a single old soldier of either volun-
teers or regulars need to go hungry to
bed or be without shelter in his old
age.
All this is true, and it is equally a
fact. as stated, that the inmates re-
gard these homes as prisons or places
of last resort. when they are no longer
able to exc out any kind or semblance
of a living on the outside.
This feeling Of the old soldier for
the Home is due, principally to the dis
tlDllut W NlllNu mas W bN 1AAbANNNi eAAANA
the routine inseparable from the prop
er conduct and government Of these in
stitutions.
The Globe this morning illustrates
its text on this subject, with the case
of Alexander Snodgrass, who resides
at 1928 Gales st. n. +. Mr.. Snodgrass
served a long apprenticeship in arms
to Uncle Sam His brother was a dis
tinguished officer on the staff Of Gen.
eral Frank Wheaton, Of the old Sixth
Corps. and is now a well-to-do resident
Of Pittsburg But Alexander belonged
to the regular branch Of the service,
where promotions are slow and where
the private soldier rarely wins the
straps of an officer, although many OF
our most distinguished and bravest
soldiers, notably General Miles him
self. rose from the ranks to be a gen
eral officer. But every private soldier
does not carry, like NapoleOn's veter-
ans, the baton of a marshal in his
knapsack, and millions Of volunteer
soldiers missed the fortune and fame
won in field and foray by the gallant
Miles.
Now, Alexander, having conquered
the world, was weak enough to cry be-
cause there were no more worlds to
conquer, and his modern namesake
(minus Snodgrass) also exhibits hui
man weakness in petitioning and beg
ging the country he fought for to per-
nit him his freedom and extend him
outdoor relief. Here is his petition:
No. 1928 Gales Street n. E.,
Washington, d. c., Nov 49, 1901.
Hon Matthew Stanley Quay
United States Senator
Pennsylvania.
SENATOR: am on old soldier, served
twenty years and eight months in the
regular army, and, as you may realize.
have had quite an army experience.
was born in the northern part of
Ireland May u, 1914, in the town Of
Strabane, County Tyrone Of Scotch
Irish parentagc, | came to this coun-
try September, 1865. My brother, Col.
John Snodgrass, served in the vOluu-
teer service in the l39th regiment from
Pennsylvania, attached to the Sixth
Army Corps. He also served on the
staff of General Frank Wheaton late
of the L. S. Army. My cousin, j. J.
Snodgrass, now in the Judge Advocate
Generals Office, War Department, serV-
ed in your regiment, the 134th PeRna.
Vols. All my relatives live around
Allegheny City and Pittsburg.
After my service in the army, |
came on to this city, and was admitted
to the Soldiers Home about August
26, 1889 | remained at the Home until
| received a small pension OF IS per
month. | then made an application for
outdoor relief OF SS per month, which
was granted by the Home authorities.
| left the Home about the lst of No
vember, $780, and received the out
door relief until / received the follow
ing circular Soldiers Home, Wash
ington, ID. c.; Circular. The Treasurer
is directed that on and after July l,
1891, the rule adopted by the Board
of Commissioners May II, 1890, shall
be observed in the allowance for out
door relief. and all members now draw
ing outdoor relief and who at the
same time receive pensions at the rate
of SS or more per month, will be drop.
ped from the rolls. And the rate of
outdoor relief to other pensioners now
on the relief rolls will be the differ
ence between the rate of pension in
the respective cases and eight dollars
per month.
CSigned, R. c. PARKER,
Breyet Major, U. S. A.,
Secretary and Treasurer
Since that time | have received no
assistance whatever, either in cloth
ing or money, from the Home
| have made repeated applications