The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1909-01-21
SAILORS SNUG HARBOR.
An Institution Which Cannot Spend Its
Riches. Owns Property Estimated to be
Worth $4,000, 1000.
From The Independent

that can weather the severest financial
manic without anxiety, and although a
charitable organization, it never has to
appeal for contributions. There is more
cause for worrying over legitimate
means of spending the income. This en-
yiabe condition Of affairs is found at the
Sailors Snug Harbor, on Staten Island,
New York 1t has been the policy OF
the trustees to keep from the pubic, as
far as possible, the knowledge OF the IN
ner workings of the institution, and espe-
cially all financial details. 1t is estlmat-
ed, however, that their property amounts
to about $50, 600, 600, and as visitors are
admitted, under certain restrictions,
those that have eyes and ears may dis
cover things of considerable interest.
Besides, old sailors are sometimes gar
rulous.
The idea of founding an institution of
this character is credited to Alexander
Hamilton. A wealthy shipowner, Capt.
Robert Randall, in making his will,
sought Alexander Hamilton's advice.
Il am thinking" said Capt. Randall,
who was a bachelor with no near kin,
''of how can dispose of my property to
the best advantage.
GLOW did you accumulate the fortune
you possess?'' asked Alexander Haml-
ton.
'It was made for me by my father.
and at his death became his sole heir. ~
How did he acquire it?'
by honest privateering.
Alexander Hamilton then suggested
that it would be most appropriate to
found home for the benefit of unfortu-
nate and disabled seamen.
The will was drawn up in 1901, and the
property, which consisted of farm IN
what is now the heart of New York city,
was made over in perpetulty to the sail
ors of the United States. At first the
few inmates We're quartered IN large
house in the center of the farm, but the
city grew so rapidly that streets We're
laid all around the farm, and petitions
came from the city to have the land cut
up. In 1881 the old house was torn down
and the sailors were removed to Staten
Island. In that year tract of 100 acres
had been purchased for SIG, 900. The
whole of Staten Island had been purchas-
ed from the Indians in 1857 for ten shirts,
thirty pairs of socks, twelve coats and
an assortment of knives and hatchets.
GROWTH OF LAND VALUES.
At the time of the bequest the farm in
Manhattan was of little value, but as the
city grew it was found that the land in
Guided the valuable property on both
sides of Broadway and was bounded
principally between 4th and 9Th avenues,
10th street and Waverley place. The
great marble store built by A. L. Stewart
and now occupied by John Wanamaker is
located on this farm. The land is not
sold, but under ninety nine year leases,
with the privilege of renewal. The
Wanamaker store pays rental OF S45,-
900 year for the use of the land. The
trustees have removed all trace of their
holdings from the city registry office,
have refused to issue maps or reports OF
any kind, and have entered on policy OF
silence which from time to time creates
period of comment. They have ceased
to attempt. to spend the income on the
actual maintenance of the sailors, and
are enabled to improve their New York
property and make expensive additions to
their buildings on Staten Island.
To be entitled to the privilege of the
institution sailor must have served ten
years under the American flag and must
be sixty years of age, unless disabled.
If physically unfit, through accident or
sickness, to pursue his calling, he may
be admitted much earlier, some men OF
thirty being found among the inmates.
The sailors receive every comfort posi-
BILE. Their rooms are large and pleasant
ly furnished. They are allowed three
suits of clothes a year and pound OF
tobacco month. Three meals day are
served-at I, II and 6. In addition, cof-
fee and crackers are issued at and 2 so
that none need hunger. A man at sea
does not linger over his meals, and these
sailors are accustomed to waste no time
over such matters. By the time the
gong rings the men are all assembled in
the hall and they march quickly to their
places, where the food is all laid out be-
fore them In ten minutes, and, at
most, twelve, the sailors have done their
duty and the hall is deserted.
LAZY LIFE.
No work is required of the sailors ex-
cept to make their own beds and keep a
certain portion of the house in order.
They are privileged to work on the
grounds for which they receive five dol
lars month spending money. The only
rules to be observed are the regulations
against gambling and drinking, and the
requirement to be in by 8 O'Clock, I'M
less out by special permission. The
men have access to a library of 1000
volumes and reading room in which all
the current magazines and newspapers
are on file. Church services are held on
Sunday, but the men are not required to
attend. 1t IS interesting to note that
about ninety, or less than 10 per cent,
avail themselves of the privilege. AT
the new music hall, entertainments are
given every two weeks during winter,
consisting Of singing, lectures, plays and
burlesque.
INMATES MOSTLY AMERICANS.
There arc at present $50 inmates, of
whom $50 are in the hospital. There is
an element of pathos in the inevitable
course of a sailors voyage after he
reaches this final port. The first few
years are spent in pleasant idleness and
rest, but as the time passes by and he
becomes weaker and feebler, he is remov-
ed to the hospital and later from there
to the graveyard on the hill. The age of
the men is so advanced on reaching
Staten Island that the annual death roll
of fifty is not as startling as it first APP
pears Several of the inmates are over
ninety Most of the sailors are Ameri-
cans, but there are a few Scotch, Irish
and Germans. The foreign nations are
not as strongly represented as might be
expected, for sailors try to spend their