The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-04-28

 campment of the Department of Con- necticut. G. A. R.. in Hartford. May IS and 1s. take up for consideration the project of erecting a dornitory for aged soldiers and their wives. the point which will be most strongly urged is the advantages of congregating the old peo- pie who are in need Of assistance. Af- ter exhaustive research, the dormitOry committee finds that a large number of states believe that congregating is the most economical and satisfactory way of assisting the old people with funds appropriated by the state.
 Mrs. Elizabeth II. Bevin, chairman of the dornitory committee, has made long and careful study of the subject, and she sets forth the reasons in favor of the dornitory as follows:
 '"rhe State of Connecticut, in provid- ing a dormitory for the use of the aged and indigent veterans of the civil war, and their wives, bus preventing their separation in their old age, would be following in the line which, in this ad- vanced age, is being adopted in all be- nevolent. charitable and philanthropic work, viz: To congregate, especially as | regards our old people. This necessity has already been recognized by many states in their attempt to care for this particular class of people, and several of these dormitories are now in successful 1 operation. Still other states are taking steps forward in this direction, and the statement is made that the carrying out of plans tending to their erection is only a question of time.
 The following states now have cot tage homes, or dornitories, for the vet eran and his wife: Kalisas, Ohio, North Dakota, Indiana, Missouri, Penn- sylvania, Wisconsin, Iowa, New Jersey, New York and Nebraska Michigan has a large dormitory building for wives, widows and mothers of veterans, located on grounds of state soldiers home and run in connection herewith, | Illinois has a home for wives and wid- ows at Wilmington, and at last session of her legislature passed law provid- 1 ing for admission of women to her state soldiers home at Quincy. Colorado and Montana have passed similar laws and are now building, or planning to build dormitories. Still other states have homes for wives and widows, and seve- ral of the above named states have also a system of home relief, notably Michi- gan, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Illinois and New York. For Connecticut to remain in the rear of the other states in a pa triotic movement of this kind would certainly be a unique position for a state which has always been noted for her patriotism. Every large city has it's Old Peoples home. The Christian do- nominations have their homes for aged Because it is realized that they can be cared for and made comfortable at an almost infinitesimal expense in this way in comparison with what it would cost to accomplish the same work at their homes. Why have the Masons built a commodious and pleasant home at Wallingford for their aged and needy? Why has arm Odd Fellows home been erected on the banks of the Thames? Because with true generosity and actuated by the Christian charity, which means love, these organizations desired to make the last days of these old people their best days, to smooth their pathway down he rugged slopes to the valleys edge. Connecticut has always gloried, and justly so, in her pa- triotism, and I am confident that when this matter is fully understood our state will rejoice to do as much for these aged veterans and their wives as organizations are doing for their needy members
 ''Dr. Elizabeth Carleton, of Boston, during long philanthropic practice, had her attention called to many pitiful instances of old people who had spent q lifetime together, but who in old age were separated, childless, poverty l stricken and homeless-one to drag on a few lonely broken years alone in a l home for old ladies, the other in a re- fuge for old men. This large-hearted woman put her energies to work to pro- vide home for aged couples, where they might spend their last years to- gether in comfort. She succeeded, and such a home was opened on one of Bos- tons quiet squares. Here were gath cred a few old people made homeless by diversity The movement grew, and the founder redoubled her efforts till the home was removed from it's narrowed city environments to the green country A splendid old Roxbury mansion was purchased as the result of widespread subscriptions. Dr. Carleton says that the old people are very tenderly cared for and there is no token of anything else except that each household for there are now three large buildings, is a big contented family. This home was | incorporated in 1884, and was the pio- neer among such gracious charities in New England. As physician of wide experience Dr. Carleton says that there is no doubt that the length of years at l tained by many of the inmates is owing to the excellent care given them. The Nhours are regular, the air they breathe is ntainted, the food hygienie, their sur roundings are cheerful they are com fortably clad and have such pleasant exercise as old people enjoy. Their minds are free from anxiety, no more business cares for the husband, no housewifely worries for the wife. Life is now a siesta after the long day of toll.
 Massachusetts alone now has twen- ty-seven homes into which old couples are admitted, and gradually all through our United States, not only homes but even alnshouses are beginning to honor