The National tribune., 1901-01-31
NATIONAL HOMES.
Provision Made by the GOvern=
ment for the Care of Disabled
Veterans.
By JAMES N. MILLER.

Lut wal B'lSAph ioii VI 'Hs N'''
eminent, for the payment of which nearly
S150O0O000 are annually appropriated.
In addition to this vast sum, more than
S2OO0.00O are expended each year for the
maintenance of over $4,000 disabled and
dependent veterans of the civil war who
are inmates of the National Soldiers
Homes.
These are eight in number, located at
Togus, Me-; Hampton, Va; Dayton,
Ohio: Marion, Ind; Danviile, ILL.,; Mil
waukee, Wis; LeavenwOrth, Kan, and
Los Angeles. Cal. These have been es-
tablished by Congress for the benefit of
dependent volunteer soldiers and sailors. \
home for soldiers of the Regular Army is
maintained at Washington. ID. G.
At the eight Homes 1880 acres of land
are owned by the Government, and $40
are leased, the largest tract being at To
gus, of 1,154 acres, and the smallest, Mt
Hampton, where but pc acres are owned,
and 43 are leased.
The value of this land approximates
$4,000,000. At each Home a part is used
for raising vegetables ana growing fruit
for the members, the work being done by
the more able-bodied inmates, who ara
paid small sums. Mich cows are kept
at some of the Homes.
The grounds surrounding the buildings
are laid out artisticaily, and are ornament
ed with trees, shrubbery and flowers. They
are favorite resorts for visitors from the
cities near which the Homes are located.
The buildings are generally of brick, ex-
cept at Los Angeles, where wood predomi-
mates. They consist of barracks fused for
living and sleeping purpOses), dining halls,
kitchens, bakeries, store houses, hospitals,
headquarters, chapelS, canteen buildings,
farm buildings and residences for the chief
officers. At some of the Homes there are
hotels for the accommodation of visitors.
and theaters for the production of plays.
1t is estimated that the cost of the build
ings at all the Homes was S15,00O0O0.
The general management is vested in
q board of il members, elected by Con-
gress, all soldiers or eX-SOldicrs, to which
are added the President, the Secretary of
War, and the Chief Justice as ex-oficio
members. One member of the board acts
as President and conducts the official cor
respondence with the officers, receiving re-
ports every 10 days.
The officers of each Home are a Gov
ernor, Treasurer, Quartermaster, Adju
tant, Commissary, Surgeon, Chaplain and
Matron, the latter only being a woman.
Except the Surgeon, the officers are war
veterans. They are appointed by the
Board of Managers, and are removable
at pleasure. The minor officers are aR
pointed by the Governor.
The conditions of admission are the
same at all the Homes, being fixed partly
by Congress and partly by the Managers.
The applicant must be an hOnorably-dis-
charged volunteer soldier or sailor who
served in some war; must be disabled to
the extent of being unable to earn liy-
ing by manual labor, and be without
means of support. All this is set forth in
his application, made under oath, accom-
panied by the certificate of a physician as
to his physical condition. A member Of
the Board OF Managers passes upon the
case, and decides the admission or rejec-
ton of the applicant.
II admitted, he is furnished transporta-
ton to the Home. On arrival he is ex-
amined by the Surgeon, whose certificate
Is final. While this examination is rigid,
the rules are literally construed as it is
necessary to have In the Homes some who
are able-bodied to do the required work.
otherwise, outside help would have to be
employed at additional cost. After final
approval he is assigned to one of the bar
racks, each of which is in charge of
member who ranks as Captain.
In few days the new member is fur
nished an outfit of clothing, consisting of
dark-blue coat, vest and cap, light-blue
trousers, drab hat, two sets of underwear
and shoes. This he must wear while at
the Home, but he cannot take it with him
when on furlough, or in case of discharge.
All this clothing, except the shoes and
hats, is made at the Home in Dayton, by
the members, and is furnished to the other
Homes at cost of manufacture.
The daily life OF the members begins
at $50 In Summer and 6 in Winter, when
the sunrise gun is fred and the reveille
sounded by the bugler. Breakfast is eaten
from g to Z O'Clock, and work then be-
gins by the members who are detailed. At
8 o'clock the sick-call is sounded, and all
who are in need of medical care repair
hhCnlfal VI nNo inssttn
made and prescriptions given. The sick
in the hospital are under the care Of
trained nurses, some of them men, others
women. Three or more Surgeons are
needed at each Home.
AT u o'clock dinner is eaten. and work
Is resumed at /, ending at ) o'clock, when
supper is ready. The evening is spent in
various ways, until 8 o'clock. when tho
tattoo is sounded, followed in - minutes
by taps, when lights go out.
The dietary embraces every common ar
ticle of food, and is abundant and of the
very best quality. At every Home, how
ever, there is lack of cooks sufficiently
skilled to properly prepare the food, and
as a result much of it is wasted. 1t is
sight to see over 1000 men in a dining
room at one time.
The character of the members, and the
circumstances which compel them TO seek
admission to the Homes, vary very much
Some have been capable and prosperous
business men, or skilled in the professions,
but through causes partly or wholly be-
yond their control they lost their property
and losing heart and vim have placed
themselves under the care of the Govern
ment. Generally these men hold minor
Offices, or clerkships, the pay for which
ranges from $40 to $50 per month, and
thus they earn something for themselves
and families. There are also those who
from paralysis and kindred diseases have
become helpless, and seek the care of the
hospital.
Ninety per cent. Of the members re-
ceive pensions, which average $40 per
month. In addition, therefore, to the 81
100000 expended for their support, an
equal amount is paid TO them for services
rendered in the war;
Religious services are under charge Of
Chaplains, who in most cases are vet
Grams, and consist of sermons on the Sab
bath, prayer-meetings during the week,
with private prayer and conversation.
Where the number Of Catholic members
Is sufficient priest Is also employed.
Discipline is maintained by a force of
police, who promptly arrest all offenders
and confine them in a guard-house The
Governor holds court daily. hears the evil
denee and fixes the punishment. This
consists of being sentenced TO work n GER
tain time without pay, deprivation of pass
privileges, and in extreme cases 10 dis
honorable discharge. A member dis
Il.