The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-10-24
VERMONT SOLDIERS HOME
Twelfth 6i-Ennial Report Of Trustees
and Superlntendent

Vermont Soldiers Home at Benning-
ton has been made pubic. The re-
port in full follows:
ITO the Governor and General Assem-
bly, of the State of Vermont:
"Gentlemen:-We have the honor
herewith to submit 10 you the twelfth
biennial report OF the Vermont Sold
iers' Home.
In our earlier reports We detailed
at .ength the particulars of the gift
of the home property and from time
to time have given you the history of
the various engagements and addit-
ions down 10 the commencement of
the present biennial period. We will
not use space to repeat it here, as
the information if desired can be read
lily obtained by reference to former re-
ports on file in the state library.
1T is sufficient to give you a clear
idea of the matter, to state that in
February, A. D, 1887. the trustees of
THE Trenor w. Park Home for Des-
titute Children and the heirs of Ire
nor W. Park joined in the convey
ance to us as gift the magnificent
property then known as the Hunt Es-
tate containing originally with all its
appointments including the cost of
the fountain (the highest in the
world 100000 The property to be
used for the purpose of soldiers
home so long as the need of such an
institution should continue and after
such need should cease to be held by
the state for such charitable or edu-
/ caticnal purposes as the state shall
( determine. The buildings at the time
of the gift we're considerably out Of
repair from long unoccupancy and
were soon found to be insufficient in
size, and various engagements and
additions have been made up to the
present time.
The total amount thus far appropri-
ated by the state for the maintenance
of inmtaes. enlargements, repairs and
erection Of new buildings has been,
including the approximation of $4,000
and special appropriation for addition
to hospital of $4,000 made by the leg
islature of 1908 covering TO December
81, 1910 s26S,000 a much smaller sum
! than has been expended by our sister
states for their soldiers homes during
the same period.
1--WE have endeavored to use the
I greatest degree Of economy possible
and still fulfil the idea of making
restful, pleasant and we'll supplied
home We believe we have at least
fairly we'll succeeded as the various
United States inspectors Of national
and state homes have uniformly
awarded us in their reports the cred
I IL Of being one OF the best in economy
Of management and realization Of the
bidea of home. While each member Of
/ the board has used his best endeavor
to reach this result yet we are all
aware that the credit and success of
the institution has depended more up
on the capability. interest and zeal
of the superintendent and matron
than upon our efforts: and We wish
here to testify that in Colonel Han
non and Mrs Harmon we found ex-
actly the people best fitted for the
work.
CAS- the appropriations have always
been expressed as a sum not exceed
ing q special amount. we feel no hes
itancy in suggesting an amount which
shall be amply sufficient TO cover any
now unexpected expense Assuring
YOU that IN the future as in the past
we shall use only so much Us Is ahso-
lutely needed leaving the balance I'M
touched In the treasury. In most
years i'm the past we have by wise
economy, been able 10 leave a part OF
the appropriation untouched; but
shall probably be unable to do so at
the end Of the present biennial appro-
priation, December 81, 1910. In fact
we look for small deficit. which
will have to be taken into considers
ton In your appropriation for the two
years beginning January /, 1911 as
the increased cost OF every supply
that enters into the maintenance Of
the home and the fact that we can no
longer retain any part Of the pensions
OF inmates has much increased our
expenditures and decreased our rev.
enue. We shall be obliged during the
coming biennial period to renew the
insurance on the property (for a per
iod of three years. at an expense Of
about $1,000 June 30. 1910 there
we're on the rolls los. or these 81
were present, "a absent on furloughs
etc, The membership has not yet be
gun to diminish; In fact applications
for admission are more numerous
than they were two years ago and
seem likely to increase instead OF fall
ing of.
THE cost per capita (which Is
found by division OF the total expendi
lures including every expense OF IN,
farm. home, hospital. every expense
by the average number present. fol
the year ending June 30, 1910. was
S242.50, Of this amount the United
States paid 500 so that the cost t,
the state has been only Sii2.50 for
each inmate For the next preceding
year Il was S2526S.
THE number OF inmates admitted
since the organization Of the HON,
up TO July /. 1910, has been CSC. Mum
Der OF deaths during the year, Il.
I'VE deem Il the exercise of prud
ence and good Judgment to ask a
your hands an appropriation not {,
exceed $4,000 for the years 1911 anI
1912 assuring you again that Of tn,
amount appropriated We shall draw