The Republican journal., 1906-05-03
VETERANS AT T0GUS.
How the Old Soldiers Pass Their Time


How the Old Soldiers Pass Their Time.
eyes, it seems little odd at first, .
said Gen. John T. klcnards, now gov
ernor of the National Soldiers home al
Togus, "to be living in a city of all sol
diers, but it is without the restraint OF
warfare, or even the restriction OF
camp life, and there is a wholesome
freedom, ease of movement and relax
alton in the colony that is comforting,
rejecting certain content and happi-
ness not easily found elsewhere. 1t is
very far removed from penal insti-
tuition, and has even more liberties
than most charitable homes. 1t is one
of Uncle Sans Fairgrounds.
"Being at the head of concern that
has for its sole aim the amusement and
welfare of its occupants is, assure
you, an agreeable, though responsible
position.
"Why, do you know" continued the
governor, "that an occupant of the To
gus home is about as free and untram-
melled as the birds of the air? He can
come and go as he pleases, is given
good fare, plenty of beer, the best of
music, fine theatrical entertainments.
long or short as he desires, in fact, can
run practically free over the earth, and
all he need give in return is strict obey
ance to a mere handful of simple rules,
just enough to maintain discipline and
preserve the entirety and dignity of the
home. There are only a few rules, just
as few as possible, but | am determined
to have these few rules observed to the
letter, and while l have frightened up
matters in this respect since | assumed
the executive head the first of last Oc-
tober, | find among the men no consid-
cradle number of complaints, but
rather more welcome respect for the
enforcement of discipline.
There are now on the rolls of the
home" continued Gov. Richards, SO,
641 soldiers, with 702 at present absent
on furloughs. 1t may not be gen
orally known, but Togus is one of the
most congeSted of the national homes.
1t has always been popular home, and
for years at certain seasons there has
been clamorous desire on the part of
deserving soldiers to be admitted, or
transferred here from other homes.
But it has been found necessary some
time ago to limit the transfers, in fact,
not to permit them, except in cases of
great urgency. 1t may seem strange,
but would you believe it, there are to-
day but POI beds vacant here at Togus
for 702 soldiers who are now out on fur
loughs. SO you see, if they should all
come back at any one time, which how
ever, is not likely, the home would be
in predicament for sleeping accommo-
dationS.
"There will be quite little money
spent here this summer and fall in the
way of improved plumbing and other
ha nges, and if certain plans, which |
am not now at liberty to state, mater
ialize some additional buildings on a
large scale will be constructed. speak
ing of conduct" said Gov. Richards, Il
think it is quite remarkable that sc
good discipline has always been main
tanned here. The number of voters
here would be equivalent to a city OF
TO- 900 or 900 population, and suppose
all the voters,of city of that size were
handed out pro rata lump sum OF
$50, 900 in pension money every three
months, with nothing to do On eartl
/ but to eat and sleep ana amuse them
selves. Would it not be somethieg Of
! a task to keep good order. That is pre-
cisely the situation at Togus. Plenty
of money and complete idlenesS, anC
yet the actual statistics show that the
percentage of sobriety here is larger
than in almost any other of the nation
al homes; in fact, the number of sol
I dierS who drink to excess are aStoniSh
ingiy few. One soldier in uniform
reeling through the streets of Augusta
OF Gardiner will sometimes create {
momentary impression that whole
regiment is on a jag, whereas a hall
dozen civilians under the influence OF
| liquor might pass by unnoticed.
think visitor stopping here week o.
two would be surprised at the small
/ number of DRINKS, and the very slight
| inclination to deyiate from the rules OF
| the home. | am glad to note furthel
that the drink habit, SO far as it relate:
to the hard stuff, is on the decrease
! There are certain well-regulated penal
ties imposed for all infractions of the
home rules, and they have most salu
tary and remedial effect.
at is commonly supposed" continued
Gov Richards, ''that the soldiers spenC
every cent of their pension money, an(
that not so much asa copper of the to
tai quarter of a million of pension
money remains at the close of the year
l find, upon investigation, that thi:
supposition is fallacious, in the main
1t is true that many do spend all they
receive, but, on the other hand, | thinl
there are more who observe habits O.
frugality, and send regularly STATED
sums to their wives and relatives. Fur
Their than that, few are accounted
well-to-do, worth number of Thousand
dollars, and perhaps you would be sur
prised, but some of the extra conven
fences and Injuries enjoyed at the home
are benefactions from few of the opu
lent soldiers
"Of course, am aware that there art
two things of which the soldiers com
plain, the bill-of-fare and the ward sys
tenn of sleeping. The food is the resul
of careful consideration, and while no
especially rich in quality, is sufficiently
varied and nutritious to satisfy as {
rule, and at the same time preserve the
healthful condition of the camp. In {
colony as large as this health is great
factor, and thoroughly up-to date
hospital is at all times maintained.
know full well that the soldiers would
be glad to substitute the Open-War(