E 494 .065 ^J:»! 0^ oo-. -^O V •^ ^^ \^^ O, * . , 1 • ,0' \ .0^ .'V'^ "-> bv^ >^ -^o. ^•^ ./v %■ -oV* \o^^ •• 4 O^ *.'7Vi' ^^ vV ^^0^ -^ V-.. o*'V^-.A ^• -^--0^ :^ ^-^/ .-^fev %,^^ -^:c^Va\ ^^...^^ /^\ ^. ••- o 'bV'' / KEPOKT fac TO THE "" CJ tf^ U. S. SAiNITARY COMMISSION. SYSTEM ECONOMICAL RELIEF DISABLED SOLDIERS, AND 0.\ CERTAIN PROPOSED AME.NDJIENTS TO OUK PRESENT PENSION I^^i^TS^S, JOHN ORDRONAUX, M. D., i'rof. ul" Mud. Jul-., Coluuibia Colk-o, N. Y., iuul Associate Jloiiibcr U. S. S. C. " Couforot cxsanguis quo sc j;os( hclla scnectus? QiiEG scdcs crit emoritis ? qua; rura ilabuntur? Qua; nostor vetcranus arct, qua; mocma fcssis ?" Lucau. 1, jJ.3. NEW YOEK: SANFORD, IIARROUN & CO., PRINTERS, <;44 BROADWAY. 1.SG<1-. t4H Rev. Henry W. Bellows, D. D., President U. S. Sanitary Commission. Dear Sir — I have tlic honor to submit the following Report as the result of the investigations undertaken Ity me, in compliariCe with the Resolution heretofore adopted by the Executive Committee. As none know better than themselves the diihculties surrounding this subject, which has so long occupied their attention, so none can better com- prehend the delays incidental to a cautious development of those conclusions, to ai-rive at which has required the wisest counsel, the calmest study, and the most critical sifting of opinions kindly and co-operatively tendered me, by earnest thinkers throughout our country. I have the honor to be, with great respect. Very truly yours, John Ororonaux, New York, April (J, 18G4. Ezchanire N. Y. Tub. Lib. Jill V n:iuch as a creditor of society for a permanent benefit conferred upon it ; and it is the duty of the community so benefitted, Avhile recognizing the claim, to do justice as well to itself as to him. If he be a man, and can work, he will neither ask nor expect to be supported in idleness. If he 1)C indolent and unthrifty, it is the duty of society not to encourage this dispo- sition by entirely supporting him, but giving him only so much as will insure his daily bread, leaving his other wants to be provided for by his own efforts. In this way he is saved the danger of falling into entire apathy or indifference as to his own position, and becoming a legalized, non-producing beneficiary, It is too much to expect, however, that all invalids will l)e able to work even to a limited extent. Many will l)e in such conditions of permanent disability as to preclude all possibility of their laboring. Tlutse having lost an eye or limb, altlioiigli most sensibly deformed or mutilated, are by no means tlie most disabled or least competent to work. There are gradations in physical disability, as all nmst be ready to admit. Of these degrees and their etfects the sur- geon only is the competent judge. But, as a general rule, it may be said that, except in the case of special arts requiring manual skill, constitutional or diathetic diseases are a more formidable obstacle to physical ability, and a more prolific source of invalidism than simple nuitilation. For these broken down and sickly men hospitals and retreats will l)e needed. Tlie victims of phthisis, chronic rheumatism, paludal intoxica- tion in its multiple forms, paralysis, the sequences of typhoid, ifec, &c., will eke out their few remaining years totally unable to per- form any systematic labor. For four or five years after the war, hospitals for this class will still be necessary, and the char- ities of the humane and Christianly-minded will be taxed to provide additional alleviation to their declining days. It is idle to devise any form of employment for these men. They can accept none, because of their entire unfitness to labor. With them vegetative life is alone possible. The many rootlets by which, through health and activity, they have been inwoven into the laljric of society, are wilting and dying daily. Be- neath the lean, cold liand of disease their phj^sical powers are melting away. They are passing to the grave surely^ — irre- vocably — and the duty we owe them is to make that passage as smooth and comfortable as possible, so that the gratitude and tenderest regard of the nation may cast a halo of sympa- thy about the couch of its dying heroes. But there will be a larger class than these — whose number in fact none can yet conjecture, — and which, though less prostrated by disease, and not quite cut off fi-om all ability to labor, will necessarily be entitled to more or less public assist- 2 10 anee. These men will equally deserve the (lesi<;'nati(»ii of invalids; for, admitting- even varying degrees in their infirmi- ties, none among them will he possessed of health. Able to work only a few hours a day — possibly only a few hours a week — alternating between long periods of enforced inactivity and short moments of physical ability- — unable to undertake indiscriminate labors, and restricted to employments of an in- door, sedentary, and special character — these are the men for whom we shall be compelled to provide means and methods of industrial activity suited to their individual powers. Their numbers promising to be extensive, all idea of disposing of them by any single plan, such as creating large, industrial in- stitutions, or colonizing them in one locality, becomes prepos- terous and mischievous. To do this would convert them at once into an exceptional class — an ever present cause of ap- prehension in any community. For, as a general rule, excep- tional classes are not to be encouraged. They form an anom- alous feature in society, and present dangerous examples to others. Nevertheless, it is true that, in this instance, the qualifications of public service, and the physical suffering en- tailed by it, would purge the class of invalids of the worst features of exceptionalism. Still, as a principle, the doctrine of large associations of this kind should not be fostered. It is bad on many accounts ; bad because it segregates men from the contact, and influence, and control of public sentiment — bad because it collects them in masses, having no diversified motives to inspire or direct their activities — and bad because the prevailing sentiment of such a comnnmity (the sentiment of exceptionalism) becomes intensified by the numbers repre- senting it. A man who has become one of such a community, and thoroughly indjued himself with its i)ublic feeling, can scarcely be expected ever to make a contented citizen else- 11 where. On this account, therefore, the interests both of the country, as well as of the invalids themselves, and of their posterity, demand that they should be disposed of in some other and more practically beneficial way. They were com- ponent parts of our communities before they entered the public service — they should resume those places and be redistributed throughout them on retiring from it. This is the opinion which reason, humanity and morality alike conspire to arrive at, and to prove whose soundness very little argument need be adduced. The experience of mankind in all ages has estab- lished it ; and since society is ever self-renewing, that opinion must be as well suited to present as to past times. In accordance with these views, which have met the appro- val of many leading minds the country througli, as being emi- nently practical and suggestive, the Sanitary Connnission, long exercised for the future of our disabled soldiers, has undertaken to crystallize into forms of possil)le application the following plan for their equitable disposition. This plan is, as yet, but a framework, about which it is hoped that both public senti- ment and legislation will unite to form a complete and all suf- ficient edifice. As now developed it is purely tentative, and in that sense incomplete. It is, in fact, only rudimentary. There are, and will be found, doubtless, many objections to it, and, perhaps, none could be presented that would exactly meet the views of all. Those, at least, who have read the very admirable reports of Mr. Stephen II. Perkins, on the European Pension Sj^stems and Invalid Hospitals, (San. Comm., Doc. No. 67,) cannot have failed to perceive, nor refuse to admit, that there is nothing in those wise and, doubtless, well considered systems, which can be adopted here without thorough and radical alteration. They are designed to meet the wants of a difterent people from our own ; are 12 based upon a iniicli lower scale of habitual personal expendi- ture ; are conceived in a spirit of predominant caste privilege, and bear none of that impress of sympathy with the masses, which should be the over-shadowing element in the legislation of all Republican forms of government. We have, therefore, no precedents to guide us in elaborating this vast and multi- form problem ; no experience of the past to draw light from, or teach us the mode of its easiest and cheapest solution. It is a question which goes down to the very foundations of po- litical economy — addresses itself to that sense of justice and humanity which should govern the conduct of men in their civil as well as their social relations, and which, lastly, should be envisaged under a large and comprehensive estimate of our present wants, our possible capacities, our undeveloped resources, and that still expanding future which hangs, like an unfulfilled prophecy, o^'er our country. Learning mainly what to avoid in the legislation of other countries, we must begin a new order of things here, trusting to our young and expansive civilization, to the plastic charac- ter of our municipal institutions, and to the easy adaptation of the American mind to all new and possible exigencies for a practical experiment and realization of this great undertaking. The present is only a tentative effort to fathom that which has never before been fathomed in our country. It is a bold proposition in political economy, complex, it is true, in the elements from which it is framed, yet susceptible, it is be- lieved, of great simplification in its practical applications. This might not be true everywdiere, it might not even be true elsewhere ; but the greater average intelligence with which common schools have ennobled the public mind of our country, and the greater intellectual activity developed and kept alive by the ceaseless attritions of the press, lead us to believe in 13 the possibility of entirely developing and satisfactorily operat- ing the ultimate conclusions which legislation shall arrive at, from the few desultory suggestions and glimmerings of re- motely shadowed truths which are hereinafter enumerated. 14 TROPOSITION FIKST. Every measure tendhu) to fuse Invcdids into a class, wlth2Mr- t'lGular privileges or immunities, should he discountenanced. JV^or should any such accumulations of them he encouraged in any locality, as would render them independent of jytdjlic opinion, or segregate them from friends or kindred. AVliatever may Le the sense of gratitude experienced towards those who liave risked life and health in defence of their country's honor, it is still to be reniendjered that, as citizens, they have burthens to bear, as well as privileges to enjoy, in common with all the rest.* These burthens are the true in- * The laws of Rome, ever founded upon a large and philosophical estimate of the mutual relations of the citizen to the State, while they accorded very liberal immunities to military Veterans, did not entirely absolve them from all burthens, as may be seen by the following extracts from the Digest ; 1. Various are the privileges of Veterans. 2. They are exempt from personal taxes. 3. The divine Antony decreed, in common with his father, that they should be excused from laboring in the ship-yards.* 4. They are also exempt from the tribute-tax, lest they should themselves become exactors of this tribute. 5. Constantino wished them to be exempt, in general, from all corporal ser- vices, including the personal duty of transporting tribute ; and also that they should not pay taxes upon the grants which they dispose of by sale. Per contra. 6. AVe have said that Veterans were exempt from personal Taxes. It is otherwise with burthens on realty ; for the taxes and charges on one's patri- mony are of solemn obligation, and all should bear them. Of privileges granted by the penal code, was one essentiaily distinguish- * Among the Romans, the navy was considered less honorable than the army (honoratior Jli- litia), and its members were styled, not militas, but socii navaUs. The first appearance of f reed- men in the public service occurred during the civil war, when they were placed of preference in the navy, as being the inferior branch. No one but a native-born citizen could bo admitted into the army. 15 centives to patriotism, for, in proportion as a man's interests are those of his country, will he exert himself to maintain hoth its social and moral character. To classify men arbi- trarily, and to annex to them as part of such distinction any particular privileges or immunities, is to destroy the growth and the moral influence of the individual in the community. He becomes one only of a cla^s with which he is completely incorporated ; and as his daily bread depends upon his remain- ing in it, he loses all stinnilus to individuality of exertion and self-independence, and thus is degraded by the very power which bestows upon him its benefactions. Exceptional classes are always in fact undesirable ones. They are anomalous features in social organization, having no points of resemblance to the elements about them. Even if they do not actively disturb the latter, they at least influence them negatively, and so silently undermine the framework into which they are in- troduced. The predominant characteristics ot men are also intensitied by the nmltiplication of those to whom any special traits of character belong, and as virtues are not the fruits most sedulously cultivated by masses, it is plain that their ten- dencies lie in an opposite direction. To meet and militate against this hereditar}^ disposition in human nature, we must ing them from other citizens, viz: "Neither sliall a Veteran be cast to the beasts, nor beaten to death with clubs." But, on the other hand, living in idleness or by one's wits, in the style termed Bohemian by the moderns, was severely punished, &c. 7. "Veterans who, through indolence, neither cultivate the soil, nor pursue any honest calling, but join themselves to thieving, are debarred all the privileges of Veterans, and may be subjected by provincial deputies to suit-- able penalties." It would seem that Catiline found no inconsiberable number of recruits for his rebellious host among the unemployed Veterans, "lege solutis," and esteemed their valor so highly as to place them in the front rank. Sallust, Belhim Catilinarium, g Lix. 16 strenuously discourage tlie Ibriuiition of large, exceptional communities. With tlie experience of ages and the records of history to support our conclusions, we should indeed be l)lind to the teachings of the world's life, did we seek any other form of social aggregation, than that which recognizes {\\e family and its fireside as the corner-stone of the fabric. Yet, in the present instance, the family, or oikos, is not to be understood literally, or as confined to those exclusively related by consanguinity, but in a larger sense, of that patriarchal family, which, without always representing numbers, yet made those numbers small enough to be easily governed by one mind. While, therefore, it is unquestionably both proper and hu- mane that invalids should be maintained at public expense in asylums, when without homes, or disabled from earning their own living, it is for the interest of all that those institutions should be as few in number as possible, so that whenever an individual can support himself out of one, he should be in- duced to do so, on the principle of cultivating relf-respect and personal independence. Their doors should be opened only to the absolutely dependent, confirmed and incurable in- valids. All others, who can do better, should be encouraged to attempt a higher and more useful sphere. In order to secure tliis, however, public opinion must be educated into the realiza- tion of its importance, and the necessity of adopting measures which shall combine to impart Ijoth a practical and economic, as well as a humane solution to this problem. When this end shall have been secured, the details will follow according as practical experiment shall develope them. 17 Pr.OPOSITION SECOND. Ax: far itN poas'Me, invalids should he restoi'ed to their original homes, and the communities to which they helo7ig should ah- sorl) the in, Inj assigning to tlwui, hy conventimud agreement, the lighter occupations! and no provision separating them from their families, or diminishing their domestic responsi- hilities, shoidd l>e encouraged. Far, wherever invalids have homes, puhlic oprinion shoidd he directed to these as the hest p)lacesfor them / the ohject always heing to 'keep) them from nlti'mately drifting into tovn or connty pauper asylums. Tlome is generally the best liospital, even as repose is often the l)est remedy. Experience also shows that men will en- dnre greater privations and discomforts, withont mnrmnring, in their own homes, than the most trifling ones in pvd^lic in- stitutions. For, althongh they may l)e l)eneficiaries, the sense of gratitnde towards the power which provides for them, never so almndantly, is not sufficient to overcome the feeling of restraint, which recpiired obedience to the rules of an estal)lish- ment generally occasions in its inmates. These retreats, how- ever well situated, and with Avhatever advantages of locality and adornment supplied, are yet dull and heart-crushing to most persons, in whom tlie idea of residence is, in some de- gree, associated with compulsion. The regulations relating to hours — to roll-call — to permissions of absence and to pen- alties for infractions of rules — become irksome and intolera- ble, and men are ready to put up w*ith anything at home, rather than be prisoners of state in a palace. This is human nature, and exemplifles itself in all public institutions, the world over. Since the Increase hi the scale of pensions in France, following upon the Crimean alid Italian wars, young 3 18 men can scarcely l)c induced to enter the Invalided. Tliey prefer, witli the modicum allowed tliem (365 francs per an- num), to live at home and pursue whatever avocations they can. Their sense of personal independence is thus cherished and kept intact. They feel that they are producers and not consumers niereh", and instead of being burthens upon the State, arc contriljuting something to its productive industr}' and w^ealth. This sentiment, the best incentive to etfort and acquisition, although founded to some degree upon pride, is yet deserving of cultivation, and should be fostered in all communities as among the virtuous springs to action l)y which men are stimulated. For, after all, man is only so far a man as he is identified actively with the movement of his race; and while drones and laggards may wear the outward form of manhood, it is very certain that they belong only to its lowest expression. If such be the experience of the old countries of Europe, how much more will it not prove so in our own, where the ex- pansive character of our civilization, and the multitudinous channels opened to talents of all grades, enable every man to find some occupation suited to his abilities. Except those com- pletely blind, or who have lost both arms, no man among us need starve for Avant of something to do. The list of occupa- tions cited hereafter, will exhibit the variety of callings which can still be pursued by one-legged, one-armed, or jiartially in- firm men. Of course there will l)e many whose condition of oscillation, between intermissions and recurrences of chronic disease, is such that no steady work can be performed by them. But even these need not ]iecessarily be housed in hospitals. They can pursue, at home, many minor occupations, such as tending stores, toll-gates and bridges, or acting as Hag-men, starters, etc., on railways, or make themselves useful as jani- 19 tors of pul)lic buildings ; in fact, doino- anything wliicli dues n(_)t ru({uirc! constant or protracted niuscnlar effort, and in which, too, their families can assist them more or less. All the lighter trades may be inclnded in this category, as well as those dnties of superintendence requiring intelligence and skill ratiier than niannal lal)or. It is not difficult to conceive that, in this way, a very large number of disabled soldiers can tind occupation, and be fur- nished the means of earning a respectable livelihood. It is only necessary to have them classiiied according to ability, and to enroll them descriptively in some central bureau (see Pr()}>us. 8th) where employers can come and select them accord- ing to the kind of lal)or they wish performed, in order to place their talents at once in the market and secure them their full \alue. Nothing would be nu)re creditable to the humanity of our civilization than to assist, by some method of rational distriljution, founded upon l)oth mental and physi- cal ability, these war-worn veterans in su})porting themselves with dignity and maidy independence. But in order to do this, they should be assisted only up to the point necessary to obtain an opportunity to labor. Beyond this, any adven- titious aid would only clog ambition and deaden industry. They need help to secure a foothold in the great field of occu- pation, to enable them to obtain places of employment, and after that, they may be trusted to labor for themselves — the true maidiood showing itscilf, if ever, in the desire to toil for independence rather than to accept a living however legalized l)y enactment. But next to the absorption of invalids into their original homes and i)laces of residence, is the duty devolving upon comnnmities to provide them with means of steady and con- tinuous employment. Admitting at the outset the chronic and 20 pennanent cliaractcr of their dit^ability, the oblii>;ati()ii to aid them ill earning their livelihood is co-existeut with life. Wherever, therefore, places originally obtained by them are relinqnished or lust, either throngh increasing inlirniity, or the expiration of the term of service for which they were employed, it is incnmbent upon society to see that new avennes are opened to them. Their claims for employment (qualitication and good moral character being always assured), should be treated as preferred ones before the tribunal of pu])lic opinion. In other words, they are the wards of the community, and must never be cast off, so long as their own acts do not compel a forfeiture of this beneficent relation. The reason of this is ol)vious from the status assigned them. They are the adopted children of the State — mutilated and invalided in her defence, and it is for her, in their M'cakness and decrepitude, to insure them as a re- ward, and not as a compensation, the vantage-ground of her assistance in earning a living. For awhile, indeed, after the war, as at present during the living realization of the great de- bate of battle, there will l)e a hue of romance thrown over benefactions to invalid soldiers. Unorganized and immethodi- cal efforts will, for some time to come, continue to lavish means in answer to calls of this kind. While such movements are fashionable, they will l)e popular, and in that sense may be trusted for supplying all immediate wants. But mingling with this tliought is tlie sad reflection that the interest of many givers, and they perhaps the largest, will too often be limited to the actual contribution, and cease wdth it, looking no higher nor beyond that which satisfies the pride of one's social position. Plainly, this is not the kind of assistance to be relied upon through the long years that are before us. It lacks the cpialities of regularity of system, and finds no fitting place in the political economy of a State. 21 In truth, political economy as the expression of a system of cliecks and balances, regulating the relations of capital to la- bor, is essentially material and un-emotional in its dealings M'ith mankind. It has no equitable side, in the legal sense of that term, and makes no provision for those wliom fraud or accident have deprived of equal advantages with their fellow- men. In the operations of the labor-market, the law regulating supply, as contra-distinguished from demand, is always in favor of physical ability. Hence the weaker workman nmst yield to the stronger in obtaining (.>pportunities of enqjloyment. The hirer, on his part, naturully seeks the largest return in manual power or skill, for the wages oft'ered l)y him. It is not his policy, whatever his humauity, to employ invalids as against stroug and healthy men. Even if he could obtain the services ot the former at a reduced rate, it would not be expe- dient to undertake any enterprise with them requiring con- tinuous labor. Tiuie l)eing an essential element in all con- tracts for personal services, no man would select from prefer- ence, invalids, predisposed from their very physical condition to interruptions of health, to perform any work whose |)eriod of accomplishment was prescril)ed within iixed limits. Stone- masons, brick-layers, carpenters, joiners, painters, etc, etc., would not stand much chance of employment, if their engage- ments to do a certain piece of work were always qualified by a proviso relating to their infirmity. The danger of fresh out- breaks of disease would deter employers froui retainlug the services of those who might, at .my moment, cause a serious interru})tion to their l)usiness, aud the possible forfeiture ot a contract. This is undoubtedly the ])ractical, brick and mortar side of the prol)lem, but precisely because it is so, and the one to which all enq)loyers first look, must we face it Mntli l)oldness. 22 It must 1)6 admitted, as all will ai;Teo, that wliure two muu LMjually skilled to perform a given labor present themselves before an employer, the one an invalid, the other a sound, healthy man, the invalid A\'ill stand no chance as against his rival. This nniy not be Innnane, but it is certainl}' human, and as dealings between men on the great stage of life ai'e regulated more by figures than by feelings, we must not ex. pect to lind any very strong accentuations of humanity in their commercial relations. Do xt des -AmX facio ut facla-s \^ the rubric which governs the intercourse of the market-place. The basis of its transactions is a purely legal one. It recog- nizes nothing more strongly than the right to expect as nnich in return for wages as the laborer can give. Hence the in- valid, always representing the minus side of the services which the nuirket proifers, cannot, in justice, expect to com- pete with his sound and able-l)odie(l rival, who represents the plus side of tlie same problem. His condition is, therefoi-e, one of permanent inferiority, and he must submit, not only to accept inferior wages, but even to wait wearily for employ- ment until the list of better-condttioned men is first disposed of. In order to meet and overcome the sad results of this in- evitable law of demand and supply, connnunities must either create new channels of employment, or else they must pro\-ide invalids with the achantage of a preterred claim to certain places and kinds of occupation, of which none can dispossess them. Fortunately, howe\'er, it is not necessary to create new chan- nels of employment, or greatly to disi-upt old ones, in order to secure to invalids })ermanent spheres of occupation. Let pub- lic sentiment l)e so educated as to surrender the lighter occu- ])ations into the hands of disabled soldiers by conunon consent, aiul the object so inuch desired will at once tiiul its realization. 23 Let it be settled tlifit the well-quallified invalid lias a right to these eiuployineiits — that it is dishonoraLle in a sound man to compete with him for their possession, and the disparity in manual strength ceases to have an_y weight. While economy suffers in nothing from such an arrangement, humanity is sat- isfied, justice vindicated, and personal independence provided for in one who, otherwise, might be doomed to irretrievable idleness and misfortune, from his continued inability to obtain employment. This course of conduct on the part of connmmities would render legislative interference unnecessary. Indeed, it might be a serious cpiestion whether any legislature M'ould have a right to interfere with the (piestion, except so far as prescribing the qualifications of public officers. Certainly it could not go beyond this, and decree that civil employments of a particular nature should exclusively belong to invalids. A principal of interference of this kind, carried to such an extreme, would militate against the plainest sanctions of personal right. It should not, therefore, be undertaken. Far wiser and better is it, then, to educate the public heart by convincing appeals to its humanity, into a recognized form of consuetudinary law on this subject — a law which, without having the positive, insti- tutional character of an enactment, should yet bear with an obligation equally binding upon all ; and to disobey which should be considered something more than a violation of social ethics and conventional usage, and occasion to the offender a punish- ment more lasting than legal penalties, in the contempt and scorn of the connnunity. It is true, doubtless, that there are men who would not Ije moved, even by considerations appeal- ing either to their humanity or self-respect, into compliance with such a custom, but their number would always be too small to cast auv influence on the communitv at lar<>-e. 2-t Experience everywhere sliowiiiii; that public opinion is the most powerful lever in society, it only becomes necessary to l»ossess ourselves of this all-controllin<>; instrument in order to tiuMi the current of social sentiment in any direction. And, as all reforms grow popular and reputal)le in proportion to their magnitude and tlie nund)ers beneficially influenced l)y them, so would it be with this movement. Let public meetings be held, at first, in villages, to consider and act upon this sugges- tion. Let a certain class of employers, for example, organize themselves as an association willing to hire invalids l)y prefer- ence. Let the initiative l)e taken on any scale, however small. City, railroad and other corporations can also find employment for hundreds of disabled soldiers, and patronage can thus l)e' made to flow in upon them from individuals to corporations. Example being contagious, as soon as the plan is found to ^vork well in a small community, we may l)e sure it will be tried in a larger one, thus passing from village to city — to county and to state. Let us suppose, again, that the trial is nuide with one calling first, so as not suddenly to disrupt the established order of things. The ex])eriment can l)e made with any subordinate office that may be selected. Thus, a doorkeeper or messenger is wanted. It is agreed that an invalid, otherwise meritorious and competent, shall have it. One is accordingly selected, the vacancy filled, and tlie precedent established. So long as there are invalids to be found in that locality,, let it be understood that they are to have a preferred claim to the succession. Meanwhile, and as other vacancies occur in offices whose du- ties can be discharged by one-armed, one-legged, or infirm men, let the pi'ecedent be extended. By these means, in the course of a few years, every nseful invalid can be provided for, and when so established, becomes a })rodnctive agent in the indus-^ 25 trial economy of the State, instead of a mere drone and con- sumer. Of course it should be understood that the tenure of office is for life, and during good behavior, particularly where the disability is of a permanent and incurable kind. And, as public sympathy would naturally be first enlisted in favor of this class, there is little room to doubt that they would receive the earliest benefactions that were to be bestowed. The following- list of light trades suited to invalids will show how wide is the field of industrial activity still open to them : Brush and broom-making. Button-making. Cameo-cutting. Carvers. Caterers. Cigar-making. Collectors. Copyists. Cork-cutters. Bottlers. Daguerreotypists. Engravers. Barbers. Music dealers. Postmen. Hatters. Musicians. Jewelers. Lithographers. Match-makers. Newspaper venders. Oyster stands. 4 Shij^keepers. Car drivers. Pilots on ferry l)oats. Accountants. Plaster-image nuikers. Seed stores. Pocketbook makers. Bread and cake stores. Confectioner3\ Soda fountains. Stationers. Surveyors of work. Gangers. Tailors. Teachers. Tea dealers. Telegraph operators, clerks, messengers, etc. Thread and needle stores. Umbrellas and parasols. "Whip makers. Willow workers. 26 Paper box makers. Writing masters. Printing. Tol)acconists. Toll gatlierers. Ticket masters. Switclnnen. Watclimen. Window-shade makers. Wire workers. Wooden ware. Worsted patterns.- Slioemaking. Bookbinding. Weavino;. Occupations possible to one-aroned men : Overseers. Messengers. Small parcel carriers. Tally-men. Inspectors of all kinds. Watchmen. Bell-rino-ers. Collectors. Assessors. Tax gatherers. Doorkeepers. Ushers. Ponnd-keepers. Waiters. We know of the case of a man having bnt one arm, and that the left., who cuts wood., ^Vc/^i/.s- and. digs 2)otatoef(^ //^A'Z'.s- corn., drives oxen., and sometimes lieiJds ilte ploiujh ! PKOPOSITION THIRD. Natwnal Military Homes or Asylums sJundd he created ., which should he semi-indvstrial j on enteiinej them the Invalid shoidd relhuinish his jperisioQi, if a private soldier ^ or if an officer, then so 7nuch of it as would he an eei'uivalent fcrr his hoard. There will always be fonnd among invalids a large class of men who have no homes of their own to which they can repair ; or else, althongh possessed of a home among relatives, are yet 27 in tliat condition of disability wliicli renders it necessary that tliey slionld have constant personal attendance, — thus, either making great demands upon the already occupied time of others, or requiring the employment of an attendant and an additional expenditure for his salary. In order to meet the wants of this class, JSTational Military Homes or Asylums should be created. But the number of these should be as small as is compatible with due regard to the wants of this class, and none should be admitted into them except such as can prove either, 1st. That they have no homes of their own, or, 2(1. That their home, if any, is with relatives, unable to support or supply them with such care as their condition requires.* These homes or asylums should not, however, be allowed to tempt men into entering them, by holding out any expec- tations of idleness and absence of occupation. Mankind, whenever left free to choose, are, under all circumstances, dis- posed to indolence rather than industry, and more particularly so, when, their daily bread being secured to them, no special or higher ambition stimulates to eifort. The tendency in such cases, and with the mass of men, is to sink at once into sloth, and to surrender themselves up to habits of idleness and per- sonal indifference to the future. To such men, in fact, there is no future. To-day is their all in all. Feeling that the State * The qualifications for admission to tlie Invalides in France, are as follows : 1st. The party must be a Military Pensioner. 2d. He must be ixt^/ years of age, or his infirmities must equal in their effects the loss of a limb. (See France, supra.) Both at Chelsea and Greenwich Hospitals there arc out as well as in pen- sioners. The former receive a small stipend in lieu of support. lias adopted tliein for life, tlioy too often allow aiul)itioii and self-respect to decline, the moment the necessity to earn their daily bread is removed. The Soldier's Home, at Washing- ton, is a very striking illnstration of this melancholy truth. In the report on this establishment, hereunto appended, it is said that "the surgeon considers that the present regula- tions, or others more stringent still, should he strictly insisted on, in order to keep the establishment in proper order. Men with nothing to do are restive under prohibitory laws, and will disregard them. This is true of the suj^erannuated, as well as the youthful. The diiference between them on the score of insubordination is one of degree and not of kind." In order to guard against the results of this form of human weakness, these Military Homes or Asylums should be semi- industrial ; that is to say, that wherever a man can work, he should be made to work up to a certain age, and in accordance with his ability, the medical officer of the asylum being the judge of the number of hours each inmate should be employed daily. By these means much of the discontent and restlessness Avhich ever attend upon inactivity would l)e avoided; men stimulated by the atmosphere of industry about them would cultivate habits of frugality — of order and of self-respect, and would learn precisely what army life unteaches them, indi- viduality and independence. The consciousness of earning something — of having a little purse of their own, due solely to their individual efforts, and over which governnient had no control, would operate as a spur to enterprise, and an invita- tion to economy. For, the value of money is truly understood by those alone who have made strenuous efforts for its acquisi- tion. As to the character of the labor to be performed, each man should be allowed his choice, where nothing special forbids it. 29 and every eftbrt should be luade to stimulate industry by giv- ing to the laborer a tithe of the productive result of his industry. In this way every one knowing himself to be a participant in the gains of the establishment would be stinmlated to increased efforts, and the apparent hardship of the enforced toil would be done away with. The labor, also, would be stripped of its resemblance to convict labor, by the fact of the share allowed each one in the nett gains. No excuse would be afforded them, therefore, for refusing to work cheerfully and with a good will. Having a joint interest with the government in the productive industry of the asylum, they would constantly strive to increase its annual profits by elevating the quality of tlie labor performed, so that in time, from the humblest and coarsest artizanship, they would pass to its highest and most complex manifestations. And it is not saying too much to venture the assertion that invalids might in time come to earn at least tvnce the original amount of their pension. ESTIMATES OF PRODUCTIVE INDUSTRY. It is extremely difficult to form any estimates of the possible productive industry of Military Asylums. At best these esti- mates can only be conjectural, and having no data upon which to proceed, we shall be compelled to draw light from such sources of information as present the most commendable fea- tures for analogy. We may safely venture the assertion at the outset, that la- bor performed by invalids can not be made as remunerative to government as convict labor is to a State. Bearing in mind always the difference between the two classes of institutions, and the higher aim embodied in the Invalid Home, it will be seen at a glance that every advantage in a monetary point of view is decidedly in favor of penal institutions. On one side 30 is enforced labor, on the other <^i<«6Y-eiit"orced hi])or, Imt al- ways graduated in tenderness to the ability of the workman, and in that sense largely purged of the character of constraint, the laborer having also a share in the protits to operate as an incentive to industry. In State Prisons, the services of convicts are let to contract- ors, who pay a per-dieni for each laborer hired. Thus in Massachusetts, in 1859, 332 convicts were employed, and yielded by their services to the State, as follows : Occupation. Laborers. Per Diem. Receipts. Cabinet-making 183 $0 51 $28,530 55 Whip-makers 9 40 11,908 60 Stone-cutting 44 60 i 9,025 50 Tool-sharpening 6 60) Brush-making 31 50 4,98100 Tin-working 4 50 878 00 Shoe-making 17 per piece. 1,061 89 do 38 55 2,325 53 Total 332 $58,217 07 Thus averaging for each man employed a gain of $175 34 per annum. The average number of inmates of the institution was, for the whole year, 510 ; the expenditures for the same time, $87,821 88. Besides the above sum of $58,217 07, the labor department was credited, from various sources, with the further sum of $11,478 57, making, in all, $69,695 64. This, deducted from the expenditures, left $9,173 97 as the deficit of the year. But during the next year (1860), the expendi- tures fell to $80,243 11, while the receipts rose to $80,747 97, an excess of $504 86. Had all the inmates of this institution labored during the year 1859, and earned the same average amount as did the 332, then, instead of $69,695 64, the amount would have been $89,423 40— an excess of $1,601 52. It would, of course, be erroneous to suppose that any i)aral- 31 lei course could ])e followed in a military asyluui, or any par- allel gains derived from the labors of its inmates. The rela- tion of the government to invalid soldiers is so entirely dissimilar, as to forbid any direct attempt at imitation. The difference and the advantage on the score of profit are all on the side of penal institutions, which, as the foregoing estimates show, may be made entirely self-supporting. Such a degree of prosperity could hardly be expected to occur in an eleemo- synary institution, the majority of whose inmates, being sick and disabled men, could, as a class^ perform l)ut a slight amount of labor, and that possibly only at irregular intervals. Yet something could be done, however small, and that amount might be turned to profit by the Government, in such a way, as to re-imburse itself partially. How this lal)or is to be regulated, and to what purposes subsidized, is a question of internal administration, which need not here l)e enlarged upon. It is sufticient to say that there might be attached to each asylum one or more Government workshops, in which every workingman should receive a certain per diem as wages. In these establishments, work suited to the strength of invalids might be carried on, and much now purchased from individuals be directly manufactured by the Govern- ment. Clothing of all kinds for the army and navy ; shoes, saddlery, equipments, repair of arms, etc. — all these necessi- ties of an army might be met and provided for in this way. The men, according to physical ability, might work and be paid either by the hour, day, or piece. Not feeling the risk of competition, yet assured of fair wages, they would labor of their own accord and without compulsion ; and what was originally a rule in the establishment, would pass into such a custom, that it would be felt a degradation not to work, in all who were capable. As to the tiiriit" of wages, it could not reasoiuibly be ex- pected to be high. If, at the Massachusetts State Prison, contractors can afford to give only from forty to sixty cents per day for liealthy men working ten hours, it should not be expected that the CT(.)vernment placing itself in the position of a mainifacjturer, could give its invalid workmen such wages as these. At the Soldier's Home in Washington, ticenty cents a day are given for work done on the farm. Probably in workshops from twenty to forty cents a day might be given, or possibly more. But whatever the amount, it should never be looked at nor measured by the standard of out-door market prices. It is an act of kindness on the part of Government to give employment to those whom it is already supporting. Therefore, however slight the gains it enables them to make, the benefaction embodied in its course of dealing should silence discontent and criticism. It might, perhaps, be judicious to adopt the plan of work- ing by the piece or job, rather than any iixed number of hours, since this w'ould throw upon the invalid himself the risk of the fatigue involved in the effort to labor. lie could work as little or as long as he i)leased, knowing that his wages M'ould vary accordingly, and whatever he did, he would know best his ability to continue doing. While the rules of the Home woidd enjoin lal)or upon all who were capable, the spur of wages w^ould greatly increase the number of laborers and the products of their industry. The apparent hardship of being made to work, would thus in a great measure be done away with. Employment brought directly to the hands of all willing and capable workmen Avould place the Govern- ment in the light of a double benefactor, and secure the best foundation for a thrifty administration of its charities. Leav- ing the lenii'th of daily toil to be regulated by the stimulus of 33 wages us weU as l)y slu!er ])liysi('al capacity, tliei'c could he little d(Jiil)t that it would reach a much larger extension in its results, than if compulsion alone and not wages entered into the incentives to industry. Humanity and economy would • both be rc})resented in this i)lan of action, and as all compe- tent and industrious invalids would find in it a spliere for in- dependent ac(piisition, so all would be interested in the suc- cessful working of the })lan. The object e\er to be kept in view, would be that of raising the invalid in his t)V\'n estima- tion, by proving to him that despite his iniirmities and his inal)ility to cope with the healthy in the open labor-market, lie is still, by the just and humane provisions of Government, rendered a pi-oductive agent in society, useful to his fellow- men, and largely, if not completely, self-sustaining. Ofdcers, of whatever grade, entering Asylums, should be as- signed to positions of connnand corresponding to their abilities. They might render themselves extremely useful in positions requiring intelligence and administrative talent. As superin- tendents of workshops — paymasters — accountants, and the like, there would be a wide field opened for their talents; while in the military government of the institution, they could be assigned important and honorable positions. Nothing lowering the grade of their position should be tolerated, for many of them would be brought in contact with old com])an- ions in arms, whom formerly they had commanded, and it would be wrong and unjust, not to say impolitic, to make the honorable misfortune of invalidism a reason for lowering them relatively in the eyes of their subalterns. Let the dignity of their rank and its prerogatives cling to them still. They have done their duty; won the approbation of their country, and deserve her tenderest regard in all things ajipertaining to those professional honors for which they Inive risked health 5 34 and life. Lot not, tlieretoi-e, a siii_<>;le hreatli of iiKliijiiity tai'- nisli tlieir fair escutclicon. PaliiKDa y the Act of July 14, 1862, § 1, is as follows : Generals, - - - - \ Colonels, - - - - V $30 per month. Lieut.-Colonels, - - ) Major, ----- 25 " " Captain, ----- 20 " " 1st Lieutenant, - - - 17 " " 2d. do - - - 15 " Non-com. officers, ] q u u Musicians and Privates, \ The Pension of all officers above the grade of 1st Lieuten- ant, being sufficient to support them with economy outside of Asylums, it is not likely that many of that class would be found in them. Still, entrance being o])tional, some, particu- larly in old age, would be very happy to iind a refuge within their walls. At the Invalides, in 1802, there were one Major and fifteen Captains, besides all inferior grades of officers. It is not unlikely that officers of similar rank in our service, nuiy occasionally avail themselves of the advantages ])resented by these Homes. So far as relates to the relincpiishment of the Pension on tlio ])art of privates, it seems but an act of justice and fair com- 35 pensatioii towards the Go^'ernnlent. No one will pretend that a man can support himself in idleness upon $8 a month. His board alone is worth more than that, computing it even by the army ration tal)le of 30 cents a day. Add lodging, clothing, fuel, ami washing to this, and the amount would speedily reach $2 per week more. These estimates are intended to apply to individuals living apart in civil life. When large numbers of men, however, are fed together and lodged together, the pro rata of each, for cost of living, becomes proportionally less- ened, as all know. The cost of maintaining the Invalides, in France, is about 2fr. 5()c. per head a day, or 50 cents of our money. We could not improve much upon it, although there is this to be observed in relation to the Invalides, viz : that the establishment is not more than half full, and the addition of other imnates would only increase the })rovision bill, but not that for the maintenance of the large administrative staff of the Hospital. Hence, increasing the number of inmates would l)ut slightly, if at all, increase the cost per man for the whole institution. Assuming, therefore, that a man cannot su})})ort himself in idleness upon $S })er month, even to the extent of buying only his food and lodging, the Government in undertaking to furnish him with both these necessaries, asks but little in re- turn, in demanding that he shall relinquish his pension. As to clothing, those invalids who cannot work, should have it su})plied to them; those who can work should be compelled to supply themselves, being allowed, for that purpose, to pur- chase it at cost from the Government, or anywhere else they nniy please. WHAT IS THE BEST SIZE FOR ASYLUMS? The experience of all nations shows that in Invalid Ilospi- 3t) tals extremes of size are to be avoided, in an economical point of view. This implies also that a very lar^e nnnd)er shonld not 1)0 congregated within them. They shonld, in fact, and for the most part, be considered as teuiporary establishments, which the lapse of the next thirty years will render nnneces- sary as a class, dwindling them down to a few leading ones in the more populons districts. For, unless war has become the normal condition of a nation, and it is perpetually recruiting the ranks of its invalid soldiers, the nundjer of these must be constantly on the decrease. The laws of vital exhaustion operate upon them with much more intensity than upon the healthy. Their powers of recuperation have been ^Ke\\ nigh exhausted in bringing and keeping them up to the point of imperfect convalescence to which they have attained. With youth on their side, and while still in the ascending scale of life, they may continue apparently in equilibrio for some years, but as age creeps on, constitutional exhaustion will show itself more and more rapidly, in a lessened ability to recover from slight attacks of disease, so that far in anticipation of the natu- ral period, and the natural progress of climacteric decline, in- valids will be continually succumbing to the latent influences of their past, disabling diseases. So far as they are concerned, and looking to the ulterior probabilities of being able gradually to . diminish the number of these institutions, jive hundred would seem as many as should be provided for in any asylum. One building, with two wings, combining simplicity of style with sufficiency of accommodation, could be constructed at no great expenditure. These buildings, when become useless as Invalid Hospitals, could easily be rendered subservient to other public purposes, while, if the numbers in any one of them became so small as to render its further maintenance unadvisable, they could be 37 transferred to other homes, and these latter added to and en- larged to meet the existing necessities. Indeed, it is worthy of consideration whether, on the score of economy, there slionld not be established in every (State of the Union, one or two j}are?if or central Homes, with branches, termed Lodges ; one, for example, for each t/irec congressional districts, which conld, from time to time, as the nnniber of their inmates became reduced Ijelow the average justifying the fnrther maintenance of the institution specially for them, discharge its invalids into the parent Homes, thus, by con- solidating the benefaction, rendering it more economical in proportion as the circle of its operations is narrowed. The Jiwalides, in Paris, is becoming yearly more costly, because the size of the establishment, whatever the number of its in- mates, re(piires a fixed category of persons for its administra- tive staff. Originally constructed to contain fou/' thoumnd inmates, it now contains but two — yet the staff cannot be diminished — and the interest on the funded capital, together with annual repairs, is rendering the institution one of the most extravagant of charities. It costs now some fr. 2.75 a day for each inmate, and this cost will continue to increase rapidly, and just in proportion as the number of inmates di- minishes. This, it strikes us, is about as good a commentary upon the inexpediency of building over-large asylums as can well be adduced. And we should prove ourselves poor stu- dents of history, and sadly illogical economists, did we not profit by this experience of the statesmen of other countries. In every State, therefore, which has furnished men tor the war, and according to its population, there should be erected one or more i^arent Homes. The size of these, to meet the future necessities before alluded to, should be sufficient to ac- commodate five hundred invalids. Or, should such an estab- 38 lisliiiieiit not l)c duemed rovide t<>r those of its inhahitants who have hec(»me dis- ahled in the puhlic service. Their very locality* and their necessitated a])propriati(m to the uses of disahled soldiers from that particular State, would convert them, in a certain selise, into State institutions. If each State is thus provided f(»r, the soldiers originally enlisting there, will, when invalided, expect, and with justice, to iind a supi)r>rt and a home in their omu State. This is a very natural desire, and in ohedience to that instin(;t of locality which seeks a luune somewhere, and at- taches mankind to the place where they have spent nnu-h of their time. ])articularly in youth. It is a desire, therefore, *To be deterinineil by Sanitary a.s well as economical considerations. 40 wliicli sliould 1)0 not only respected, l)nt encoiira_ii;e(l and cidti- vated, as a means for 1 ringing; men within reaeli of original liome influences, thus rendering them more willing to M'ork, on account of being mider the ol)ser\'ation of those wliose re- spect they may l)e presumed anxious to preserye. And, in return, it should be considered a great priyilege to be sup- ported at public cost in one's own State, instead of being sent among strange faces, and in a strange locality, to eke out life in some large retreat made intensely dull by its distance from, and inaccessibility to, friends and relati^'es. The possible in- fluences of home-sickness must not be oyerlooked in regulating these matters, for experience shows that men conyalesce much quicker at their homes than in lios})itals — the yery idea of gomg home acting as a mental stinnilus of the most salutary character. But men not only conyalesce more rapidly at home, but are better contented wdien placed where they can often see and come in contact wdtli their friends. They feel themselyes to be within innnediate reach of their sympathy, and are satistied that their interference is eyer ready for the purpose of correcting any neglect on the part of the goyern- ment toward its inyalid dependents. Supposing, therefore, the Goyernment to haye proyided in- yalids with permanent homes in their own States, a most seri- ous problem now presents itself in respect to its future conduct tow^ards them, yiz : Whether it w expedient that the government and KUjjport of the institution should remain in the hands of the Federal au- thority^ or whether it should pass into the hands of the State authorities f This portion of our proposition being likely to gi^-e rise to nmch discussion and diyersity of o])inion, we design to examine at some length the arguments which haye already been ad- 41 duced on either side of the question. In doing this, we shall endeavor to avoid throwing any weight into the scales, or com- mitting ourselves to one opinion or the other. Believing in the expediency of some general system of Asylums, calculated upon the basis of the greatest good to the greatest number, we do not feel called upon to advocate specially, the details flowing out of the operations of such a system. These, we are inclined to think, will regulate themselves in compliance with that law of public opinion, which inevitably re-asserts its authority, however often deposed, through all the important transactions of society. Legislation in advance of it will ever be crude and nugatory — legislation in arrear of it will ever be weak and unsatistixctory. The golden mean will be found in the thread of the current itself, and where a mingling of all the waters expresses the resultant of their common force. Those who believe in the expediency of delegating to the States the maintenance of their own invalid citizens, and they constitute a majority of the minds with which we have had the pleasure and enjoyed the benefit of conferring, argue as follows, viz : — 1st. That the law of opinion as already exhibited through the action of several State Legislatures, has, to a certain ex- tent, pronounced itself in favor of surrendering to the indivi- dual States the maintenance and supervision of their own invalid citizens. Wherever such a disposition exists, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to combat it, because, however generously the Federal Government might act in the founda- tion of eleemosynary institutions, it could not prevent the States from doing as much, or more, for their own citizens, at the same time, through special legislative enactments. In the matter of charitable foundations no monopoly or prescriptive right attaches itself to sovereignty as its exclusive preroga- 6 tive, :iii(l private citizens in their inividiial capacity — or act- ing corporately — towns, counties, or States in tlieir larger cor- porate capacity, may all equally engage in dispensing benefac- tions. In like manner, and wherever several similar sources of benefaction co-exist, nothing restricts beneficiaries from exercis- ing a choice in the premises, and availing themselves of such as are most consonant to their tastes, or best answer their innnedi- ate wants. If the care of these Asylums were wholly surrendered to the States, we should be sure, at the outset, that the comfort and support of these war-worn veterans would be more jealously guarded by their own State, than could be the case were they entrusted to the keeping of the General Gov- ernment. It would be considered a tribute of justice to the meritorious defenders of their country's honor, and more par- ticularly a manifestation of gratitude towards one's own neigh- bors, to provide for them in this way. And while there might be some differences of opinion in relation to minor matters, there could and would be none with respect to the general scope of the institution. Local pride, and neighborly feeling, would both conspire to make its support as liberal as possible. Beyond the reach of political influences, it would stand as a landmark, not to be interfered with ; and each citizen, whether he had or not relatives within its walls, would feel it his duty to strengthen its claims upon the community. Party consid- erations would not touch it, because, belonging to the State, its interests would be those of all its inhabitants, just as much so as Public Schools or Lunatic Asylums. Every connnunity Avould have representatives there ; every town and city, and political party, would have contributed to the inimber of its inmates. In fact, the instinct of local pride — the memory of the events typified by the invalids themselves — the historical associations clusterini>- about these institutions, would render 43 them objects of tender regard and earnest solicitude on the part of all citizens. No generosity exercised in their behalf would l)e considered extravagant — no benefactions of legisla- tive origin woidd be criticised which looked to their support. For, not only would feelings of pride and patriotism operate to stimulate public opinion into a recognized obligation to the invalids in these homes, thus rendering the annual provisions for their support a matter as unsusceptible of argument as the payment of the Governor's salary, but behind, and antecedent to all this, the deeper voice of nature and consanguinity would make itself heard and felt, since among invalids would be found friends and relatives of all degrees. And aside from this, even, nothing of the degrading character of pauperism would attach itself to such a form of public char- ity, because the objects of it would have become so through causes of an ennobling character, and through services which all would admit the value of, and feel proud to make so just a return for. It would not he difficult to foresee that Soldiers' Homes in every State must be popular institutions, which every element of local pride would tend to foster and develop. They would be indelibly associated with the noblest achievements of our day and generation — would form temples in which to garner up the living records of a mighty struggle, and where the heroes of the conflict could be honored by a nation's gratitude and tenderest sympathy. Around them would cluster such memo- ries of devotion to the public service as would strip the sup- port of their Homes of all semblance of a burthen upon the generosity of the State. The Soldiers' Home, with its war- worn inmates, its museum of trophies, and its legendary storehouse of adventures by " flood and field," would be a shrine for visitors, and the centre of an undying historical in- terest. All citizens would feel themselves bound to it l)v tics u of tlic closest kind. All would make it more or less of a per- sonal concern to foster its snecessful administration, and it would stand in singular contrast to all other institutions, in being kept untainted by political chicanery or interference. But another and a more important consideration would be found in the fact, that the nearer the source of benefaction to the invalids themselves, the more likely would it be to satisfy all. Were it possible always to support them at home, it would be by far the best way ; but since this cannot always occur, then we must see that the distance between the bcnefoc- tor and the beneliciary is as small as possible. Home is the best purveyor of all — next to it the town — next the county — next the State — and last, the General Government. 2d. That after the rebellion shall be quelled, and the au- thority of the Federal Government re-established, it must fol- low that Asylums will be needed in all of the Border States. These States have contributed men as well to crush, as to help the rebellion. By strict right, Union soldiers, alone, should be admitted into Asylums ; but where society is en- tirely revolutionized, disoi-ganized, in fact, in its munici- pal relations, as it now is throughout the South, it will be im- possible to avoid extending help to the maimed and suffering rebel soldiers who, after the war, will unquestionably resume their allegiance, and become entitled to the protection of the United States as citizens. We do not exclude wounded ene- mies from our hospitals, but nurse and tend them, side by side with our own men, until they recover. The Govern- ment has even had to go farther. Since the fall of Yicksburg, it has issued rations to thousands of poor people whose pre- vious position had been one of hostility towards it, yet ^^'llo could not be left to starve. These rations belonged to the army ; they were paid for by the loyal ]^eople, aiul intended 45 to feed those wlio were periling their Kves to re-assert the au- thority of our Government. After the war, tlie Border as well as the other Southern States will be overrun with the maimed, and crippled rem- nants of the rebel army. What shall be done with them? Humanity will not pause to incpiire which side they fought on. If they are too sick or maimed to work, and are in dan- ger of starving, they must be fed. By whom ? The Govern- ment. Is this just ? Abstractly speaking. Yes ; because they are its citizens. But relatively, and as regards their personal claim, No. The burthen of their support should devolve upon the State which sent them forth, and if the Government builds the Asylum, it does all that it should, since the citi- zens of the loyal States, whose money has enabled it to bestow this benefaction, should not be taxed to support for life those, whose only claim upon them is the misfortune of hav- ing failed to destroy that Government, from which they are now compelled to ask a support. Therefore, and in an economical point of view, the States, as States, should be not only allowed hut required to maintain the Asylums cre- ated in their midst by the Government, on the principle that this would be a just distribution of the burthens of the war, instead of fastening them peq^etually iTpon the people of the loyal States. The objections m-ged against this plan, are, that the annual appropriations for the support of Military Asylums would not be as reliable, if left to State Legislatures, as to Congress, and some Western States are cited in illustration, in one of which in particular, an omission to provide the annual appropriation for a State Lunatic Asylum, rendered it necessary to close the institution and to scatter its pauper inmates. Granting this to have happened once, and in one State, or 40 even that it will require several years to so reorganize munici- pal institutions, including pauper asylums, in the South, as to enable sufficient provision to be made for the destitute sick and maimed rebel soldiers — granting this, it is replied, that such facts should not be received as a valid argument against the system of State support, which is advocated above, because they are in their very nature temporary, and would stinnilate efforts to redress the wrong thus committed. For, ad- mitting that any Legislature should again neglect to perform its duty in this particular, or that relating to any similar elee- mosynary institution, the Executive could easily enough pro- vide means, through the credit of the State, to support such institution until the next session of that body, and no one will pretend that any Legislature, whose members are elected an- nually would dare to neglect for a second time its Invalid Asylums, Certainly, if it did, its members might well hesitate to confront their constituents, whose indignation would lead them to administer a rebuke in forms not easily forgotten. Another objection and flowing out of this, is, that while in some States the annual appropriations would be large, and the inmates of these homes pampered, in others, the appropria- tion would be barely sufficient to maintain the establishment. It is urged that were Congress the general almoner for all, this could not happen, since a graduated scale of the necessities of each Asylum, founded upon the number of inmates — cost of living in that locality, and its productive industry — would always guide the government in making a just appropriation for all. By these means all Invalids would be equally provided for, in whatever State of the Union dwelling, and there would be no feelings of envy cherished tow\ards those who, under a dif- ferent dispensation, might be known to be luxuriating in com- forts not shared by others. 47 The answer made to an ol)jecti()n of this kind is, that no re- strictions can, or slionld be pnt upon tlie amount which States may choose to appropriate towards the maintenance of their own invalid citizens. This is a matter which, like private charity, concerns the giver alone. If some can afford and choose to give them comforts which others can not, or will not, this is one of those self-regarding acts over which outsiders have no cause to complain. It is not a wrong against either individuals or society ; takes nothing from any man, that he possessed before, and is simply doing with one's own, according as fancy dictates and law allows. It may possibly be said that the example w^ould be bad, and tend to dispirit the less-favored Invahds in other States. This might indeed happen, and w^ould, doubtless, were the distinction in comforts to be made by the Government, instead of States ; but so far as these are concerned, their method of treating their own Invalids would be considered a matter of home policy and private right, with which no citizens of other States could justly find fault. Such are the arguments adduced in behalf of, and against State support of Military Asylums. Both sides press their claims with ecpial urgency — both sides equally desire the greatest good to the greatest number. And, while holding ourselves aloof from the exjiression of any preference, we still feel compelled to say that the majority of those consulted (and they include gentlemen of all shades of political ojunion) are agreed, under the aspect of justice to the whole country, in recognizing the superior advantage of State over Federal sup- port for this class of institutions. But should the government and support of such institutions pass under the control of the several States within whose bor- ders they are situated, it might be advisable that the still na- tional character of the Asylums should be represented through 48 its Ijoard of overseers or directors. In every State tJiere might be one Central Board, consisting of the — Governor, ex-ojficio, Attorney-General, Comptroller, Chief Justice of its Superior Coiu't, District Judge of the United States, " Attorney " " ■ " Sub-Treasurer " " Or, there might be a special board appointed, consisting of non- official persons, who, without salary or perquisites of any kind attaching themselves to their office, should direct the affairs of the institution. It is too generally found that persons called upon to perform, in addition to regularly aj^pointed official du- ties, others, virtute officii^ are apt to neglect these latter, and to surrender their direction into inferior hands ; besides which, it does not follow tliat, because an individual holds a high official position, he is necessarily qualified to give the best advice in re- lation to matters of a special character. The wheel of political fortune too often elevates into positions of trust, those whose (puxlifications least fit them for the discharge of their duties. To ascribe wisdom to such characters, ex officio, is to mistake a mannikin for a man, simply from the incident of resendjlance in form. It would be better, on all accounts, therefore, to se- lect a board of directors for these Asylums from among edu- cated, discreet, and honorable laymen, who, serving from choice, and not ex officio, for the honor of the duty instead of the emoluments flowing out of its discharge, would keep the government of the institution free from all inii)utations of a mercenary character. OEPIIANS OF INVALIDS. It might be desirable, also, in this connection, to inquire in 49 what way the orphans of soldiers could best be provided for. This class of beneficiaries has too many claims upon our sym- pathy not to receive an early and earnest attention, and everything should be done to guard them against the misfor- tunes liable to ensue from the loss of their natural protector. Attached to Military Asylums or Lodges, and forming part of them, there might be homes and schools for children, where they could be cared for during their minority. Like many of the industrial schools already established throughout the country, these institutions might impart instruction, not only in letters, but also in most of the manual arts. Children could thus serve an apprenticeship at a trade, and receive the rudiments of a good, sound education, at the same time. The larger inmates, say after sixteen years of age, should be dis- charged, as soon as competent to earn their living, in this way steadily diminishing the numbers to be supported. Only the infirm, or idiotic, should remain permanent residents of the Home, it being but just that they should be maintained through life, precisely as their father would have been had he become an inmate of the Asylum. Widows unable to support their children upon the father's pension, should be allowed to place them in the Home on surrendering one-half their pen- sion. Invalid soldiers, inmates of Asylums, wdio are widowers with children, should, in like manner, be allowed the privilege of placing them in a Home. But if able to earn anything, the invalid should be compelled to pay a minimum price for the support of his children, on the principle that, in support- ing him, the State has done her full duty of grateful return for services received. Any invalid at all able to work, could afford to pay from fifty cents a week upwards, for a child's board, and where he had over four to support, no additional charge should be made for any beyond this number. The ob- 7 50 ject in view should Le that of keeping alive parental concern for the welfare of offspring, a feeling too apt to bec()nie ex- tinguished by removing the burthen and responsibility of their support from off the shoulders of those on whom it should always rest. Indeed, much of the stimulus to labor would be destroyed by withdrawing this incentive, wherever it exists, from invalids. A man who takes no pride in sup- porting his own children has already lost a large part of his self-respect. As to the mode of distributing the burthen of su])porting Military Asylums among the different counties or towns of a State, this would be a matter for the determination of its own legislature. It would seem just that those towns sending most inmates to the Asylums should contribute most to their support. But whether the tax should be based upon such a foundation as that, or not, is a question of subordinate im- portance, and not properly to be discussed in this connection. MODE OF APPOINTING OFFICERS, AND TENUIIE OF OFFICE. These institutions, when passed under the control of- the State, should he governed l)y officers appointed by their Boards of Directors. Under this aspect of things, both the general government and the State might be represented in the appoint- ing power. A two-thirds vote should be necessary for the election of all commissioned officers, who, in turn, could, in like manner, elect their subalterns. The tenure of office should be for life, or during good liehavior. No removal sliould be made but upon good cause, and l)y the same power that created the officer, sitting as any court with open doors ; and the defendant should be allowed time and counsel to 51 prepare his defence. T\V(»-tliirds of the court shoiikl agree upon the judgment pronounced, which should also be final. It seems almost superfluous to suggest that invalid officers should have the preference given them hi appointments of this kind. Indeed, there is everv reason "whj they alone should be selected to fill such positions. Their familiarity with forms of military administration and discipline, without which such an establishment could not be carried on ; their knowledge of the character and tastes of the inmates, many of tliem having been their old compani(;»ns in arms — their official tenure being for life, and thus freed from the effects of politi- cal vicissitudes — all these things would conspire to render tliem just, humane, and independent administrators of the trust of government reposed in their hands. TEEMS OF ADMISSIONS. In order to gain admission into a Military Home, the inva- lid shoidd present the certificate of an examining Pension Surgeon, setting forth the chai-acter of his disability, and its effects upon his ability to earn his living, and to this should l)e added the affidaA^its of two respectable and disinterested freeholders residing in the same town with him, and knowing him personally — setting forth the following facts, viz : 1st. That he has no home, or cannot support liimself at his liome upon his pension ; or, '■2(7. That he requires the care of an attendant which he can- not aftbrd to supply for himself. The following condensed reports relating to the history, statistics, and operations of the French Ilopital des luvalides and the Prussian Invalid Ilouse, at Berhn, will scive some 6S general idea of the manner of conducting sncli institutions in Europe, together witli the results obtained from them. It will be found that, wherever well administered, they prove a source of immense benefit, not only to invalid soldiers, but also to the general public, which, otherwise, would constantly be called upon to distribute charity in immethodical forms to this class of persons. By reducing benefactions to a system, duly regu- lated and carried on with precision and justice, there is found to be economy in it, and the certainty that few if any unworthy persons will obtain support under this form of dispensation ; whereas, when the public undertakes to distribute assistance indiscriminately, it is rarely the case that the unworthy do not come in for a share, and thus diminish that properly be- longing to the meritorious. We have among many Asylums selected these two, because the most thoroughly organized and efhciently managed institutions of the kind in Europe ; and while we could not, for reasons hereinbefore stated, wish to see their system adopted and imitated among us, without alteration, there is still so much of good in the practical details of these establishments as to render them worthy of close study. And in this connection we have also added some details of the object and purposes accomplished by our own Soldier's Home at "Washington. FRANCE. exhibited a grateful appreciation of the labors of her military class, and given it preferred claims upon public regard. The common sentiment everywhere recognized, that a country owes to its defenders an honorable support, whenever wounds or disease incurred in the public service unfit them to pro- vide for themselves, has received large attention, and been 53 practically incorpoi'ated into French legislation from time im- memorial. Charlemagne, remembering like Augustus, the services of his veterans, cast about liim for means wherewith to support them at the public cost, and finding wealth no- where more abundant, or more uselessly employed, than in the monasteries, compelled those institutions to accept his invalid soldiers as beneficiaries, where, under the designation of lay monks, they received an alimentary pension. These persons, afterwards known as ohlatiy became a recognized class under all succeeding dynasties. They lived in ecclesiastical houses, and performed, in return for their support, such minor ofiices as bell-ringing, sweeping, etc., etc. The wise and refined Philip Augustus was the first mon- arch who bethought himself of collecting the scattered vete- rans in one national institution. His successors, to a greater or less extent, followed his example, although it was not till the reign of Louis XIV. that anything like a permanent institu- tion was established. It is to the munificence of this prince that the Hotel des Invalides owes its origin. By a royal decree of August 15, 1670, he announced the creation of this establishment, whose construction began the succeeding year under Louvois and the celebrated architect Bruant. By referring to the details of its present management, and the statistics furnished by Dr. Faure, Medical Director of the Invalides, we shall see that the institution is becoming annually more and more costly, in pro- portion as the number of its inmates diminishes. Originally designed for some four thousand inmates, and with a military and civil staff proportioned to this number, the institution is, except in the case of old men incapable of self-support and having no homes of their own, generally avoided by the young and middle-aged whose pensions, under the late increase, ena- tA ble them to live at lioine and more iiulependently. lleiicc the cost per man at the Hotel, is <>;radually increasing, as the nnmber of inmates diminishes ; and for this there can be no help, until, by reason of the paucity of numbers, the invalids are transferred to some smaller and less costly establishment. In no continental nation are pensions more liberal in their ex- tent, and less distinctions of caste made in alloting them, than in France. The democratic theory, which not only authorizes, but in every way encourages meritorious promotions from the ranks, guides, with true consistency, the legislation of puljlic bene- factions. The soldier is not forgotten on the pension-roll, however humble may be his social antecedents, nor is the officer unduly rewarded, because of his rank simply. A sin- gle exception to this rule exists in the case of a Field Mar- shal's salary, which may be increased at the pleasure of the Emperor — a concession to sovereignty which is evidently a transmitted figment of the Koman law {Quod jplaGuit princijn legis hahet mgorem). Aside from this, the pension fund is liberally distributed, and since the Crimean war the pro rata of its distribution has been steadily increasing, so as to enable them to live at home, and follow, by the supplemental aid thus afforded them, different occupations : in a word, to encom-age self- support, and to discourage resort to national asylums. This is a feature worthy of imitation by all nations. The foundation of every claim to a pension, made by an officer or soldier, must rest upon the following facts, which are to be proved : \8t. That the wounds, or disease causing disability, are se- rious and incurable. %l. That they were incurred in the line of duty. 2>d. For an ojjieer — that tliey disable liim for taking the Held, or ever returning to active duty. 4:th. For a non-cohimissioned ojficcr or 2>/"fvate — that they disable him from taking the field or earning his own living. Fer Contra. — Xo pension is allowed an officer who, although wounded or invalided for irre^ent.^ is not disabled for future service. In like manner, no pension is allowed a non-conmiissioned officer or private who, although wounded or invalided, is not disabled from earning his own living. kStatistical Details of the Hotel des Invalides, furnished hij Dr. Faure., Medical Director. The Hotel des Invalides, since 1848, has ceased to be car- ried on by private enterprise. It is now du'ectly administered at the expense of the State, by a military superintendent. The governor of the institution is a Marshal of France, and has under his charge both the government and financial affairs of the asylum. The government consists of — l*^. A Brigadier-General on active duty, whu is the com- mandant of the Hotel. 2rZ. A Colonel (Major) and eight Adjutants (Major), The twelve divisions into which the Invalids are classified, are commanded by — 12 Chiefs of division (line or non-connjiissioned Invalid offi- cers). 12 Adjutants. 12 Under Adjutants. 56 FiNAJsrciAL Administration. This departnient consists of — One military Under Commissary, of the iirst chiss. One assistant " " " Medical Department. One Chief Physician, i One Chief Apothecary, Nine Assistant " I Two Assistant " Twenty-six Sisters of Charity. Domestic Administration. One Director, Eiglit Assistants. Two hundred Servants (civilians). Five military Ward-masters, in the Infirmary. Ten Under-Servants (civilians). "Worship. One Cnrate and two Chaplains. Care of Buildings. One Architect and one Inspector. Barracks and Quarters. One Chief Superintendent, from the Engineer Corps. DIETAEY. staff officers' ordinary. Per Day. 1st. 750 grammes (1-^ pounds) Bread, whence are deducted 62 grammes (2^ oz.) for sonp, which are replaced on Sunday by an equal quantity of rice or vermicelli, alternately. 2d. 250 grammes (J pound) of Boiled Beef. Per Week. 7 dishes of Meat (i pound). Veal or Mutton, roasted or stewed. 57 10 dishes of Meat, (200 grammes, or 2-5 of a pound,) Yeal or Mutton, dressed with vegetables, and of Beef-a-la-mode. Once a week, 3 hard-boiled Eggs, or 2 fried, or in omelet, or scrambled. Twice a week, (Wednesda}^ and Snnday), ^ of a roast chicken, with cresses. Per WeeJc. 10 dishes of green vegetables. 5 do. ofdr}' do. On Thursday, a dish of potatoes, beans, or lentils, dressed with oil, alternately. Daily. A dish of salad, (250 grammes oil), for twelve officers. Two kinds of dessert, cheese and fruits. A quart of wine. The ordinary of the subaltern officers (Captains, Lieutenants, Adjutants and Assistant Adjutants), is similar in character to that of staff officers, with 's\\q exception of having one dish less at each meal. ORDmAEY OF NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND PRR'ATES. Per Bay. 750 grammes (1^ pounds) bread, from which 62 grammes (2|- oz.) are deducted for soup, being replaced on Sundays and festivals by an equivalent weight of rice or ver- micelli, alternately. 250 grammes (^ pound) of boiled beef. 1 quart of wine for officers and soldiers. 1 pint do. for drunnners. Per Weelc. 5 dishes of meat, of 150 grammes (| pound) to each man, one of them dressed with vegetables, and which shall be served as follows, viz ? f One of veal. J? AT -I ^ 4. o J- o/iti Two of mutton, l^rom May 1st to feept. dOtli. i r\ *> i ^ -i x^ •^ ^ \ One 01 brazed heei, or roast [ veal, alternately. 8 ■5« f One of veal. i^ r\ ^ oAii ^ A '1 OA4-1 1 Two of Mutt cm. ln-(im()ct. 30tli to Ap 1 rSOth. -^ ,. ,. , . , ,. .. , ^ I One (>t hrajced heei, s^alt ])ork, [ or veal alternately. Per Week. Seven times frej^li vegetables, and tive times (liT ones. On Tuesdays a disli of potatoes, lentils or beans, alternately, and dressed with oil. On Tuesdays three liard boiled eggs, or two eggs fried or in an omelet, alternately. On Sundays a dish of salad with 250 grannnes of oil for 12 persons. On Fridays 125 grannnes (1-4 lb.) cheese. EATIONS. FOR STAFF OFFICERS. C)f ham or sausage, 92 grammes (1-5 lb.). •' chickens — 3 for 12 officers. '' young turkeys — 2 for 12 officers. " pigeons — 1 per officer. " fricassee of chickens or ducks — 3 for 12 officers. " vegetal)les — asparagus, green peas, string-beans, dried beans, artichokes, cauliflowers, parsnips. Cheese. — Gruyere, Dutch, Brie, Neufchatel, 3-4 of a kilo- gramme (1 1-4 lbs.) per 12 officers. Defisert fruits. — Apricots or peaches, 1 or 2, according to size, per officer. Plums, 4 to (>, according to size. Pears, 2 to 3, " Raisins, cherries, currants, or strawberries, 1,500 grammes (3 lbs.) per 12 officers. Preserved fruiis. — Apples or pears, 1 or 2 — as above. Prunes, or brandy pears, 1,500 grammes (3 lbs.) jx'r 12 (.fficers. 59 Sweetmeats. — Ciirraiit jelly, niarinaladc of plums, or apricots, 750 graiuines (1 1-2 11 )S.) per 12 officers. Per Year. — Twice, roasted clicstiuits (12 to each man); twice, mixed dried fruits, 1,500 grammes (;3 ll)s.) ])er 12 officers. Six times, sponge cake. Once, oranges (at the Epiphany). SUBALTERN OFFICEKS : The dishes of meat (at dinner and supper) follow each other in the following order, viz : Iloast veal, brazed mutton, brazed beef, Irish mutton stew,* plain stewed veal or mutton, blanquette of veal, salt pork. DETAILS : The weight of each beef, when dressed, must amount, in dis- tributable flesh, to kilo's 300 (700 lbs.) The weight of each calf 45 (117 ll)s.) " " " sheep 18 ( 45 lbs.) Fresh vegetables for officers are dressed with un-salted but- ter, at the rate of 230 grs. (2-5 lb.) per 12 officers. For sul)al- terns and privates wdth 230 grs. half-salted butter per 12 men. Dried vegetables for officers, with 250 grs. (1-2 lb.) of fresh butter ; for subalterns and priv;ites with 250 grs. half-salted butter per 12 men. Chickens must weigh, each 1,400 grannnes (2 4-5 lbs.) Young turkeys " " 2,100 grannnes (4 2-5 lbs.) * To make a mutton stew for the Hotel des Invalides reciiiires 37 sheep. 60 CLOTHING. Overcoat, (diiration three 3'ears.) Coat, " " Vest, " " Hat, Cap, Pantaloons, '' one year. Drawers, " " Half-gaiters and collars, " Socks, shoes and hdkf s,, four months. Woolen caps and suspenders, three years. Flannel waistcoats and drawers, eighteen months. (Signed) Faure, 61 Tahle of Mortality fro )ii Jan. 1*^, 1839, to Jan. ist, 1862. Year. 1839 Number in Hospital. 3,000 2,920 2,940 2,950 Number of Admissions. "256 440 331 330 327 399 411 381 367 442 351 281 230 135 Deaths. 205' 216 222 242 254 218 260 227 292 270 392 340 334 279 332 419 347 289 317 307 300 313 264 Proportio per 1,000 68 73 75 82 86 73 88 77 98 91 135 117 105 91 110 139 118 99 109 105 106 114 108 * Observations. 1840 1841 1842 1843 2,940 1844 2,960 2,930 2,930 2,960 2,950 2,901 2,899 3,165 3,047 1845 1846 1847 1848 1849 1850 Cholera year 1851 1852 1853 1854 1855 3,007 3,005 2,929 2,894 2,893 2,912 2,826 2,639 2,430 Cholera year Cholera year 1856 1857 1858 1859 1860 1861 Total 67,027 4,675 6,639 98 Average 2,915 334 288 Table cf Admissiom frohi Jan. 1st, 1848, to Jan. Ist., 1862. BY AGES [decennary). Year. 20-30. 31-40. 41-50. 51-60. 01-70. 71-80. 81-90. 91-100. 1848 8 6 12 31 115 73 1849 8 16 14 82 229 86 1850 11 11 7 39 179 78 5 1 1851 12 12 12 40 159 85 10 1852 9 20 12 38 154 75 19 1853 8 19 13 38 184 125 12 1854 14 19 8 45 199 111 15 1855 7 18 18 34 175 108 21 1856 10 13 10 37 159 121 15 1857 27 26 11 53 194 110 21 1858 17 21 11 25 169 96 12 1859 20 14 8 46 93 86 14 1860 12 11 7 32 90 69 8 1 1861 10 5 7 17 49 41 6 Total 173 211 150 557 2,148 1,264 168 Total pel annum. 250 244 331 330 372 399 411 381 307 442 351 281 230 135 4,675 62 Pro-rata of Admission hy Categories of Age. Admis- Pro-rata p er 1,000 Prorata per 1,000 P)o-rata per 1,000 Year. from from from Obsei-vatioiis. 20 to 60 years. 60 to 70 yt ars. 71 to 90, &c. yrs. 1848, 250 228 per 1,000 460 per 1,000 312 per 1,000 These tables ex- 1849, 440 250 " 520 230 hibit the constant 1850, 331 205 " 540 255 increase in the age 1851, 330 230 480 290 of invalids, and 1852, 327 241 " 470 289 tlie large propor- 1853, 399 195 >' 461 344 tion still furnish- 1854, 411 209 " 484 307 ed by the soldiers 1855, 1856, 381 367 202 190 ,, 459 433 339 377 of the 1st empire. 1857, 442 263 " 438 299 PER CONTRA. 1858, 351 210 " 481 309 The diminution 1859, 281 313 " 320 367 in the aggregate 1860, 230 269 <' 391 340 number is due to 1861, 135 288 " 362 348 the gradual ex- haustion of the 4,675 same class. Statistics of the Infirmary. DEATHS, BY AOES. § s < •a 3 5i CO 5! 3 3 j:; So H K 1845, 1,240 1,046 ... 3 4 5 34 76 118 20 2 258 208 1846, 1,358 1,089 ... 1 1 3 24 50 122 24 3 228 167 1847, 1,376 1,102 ... >> 1 25 78 141 35 •> 284 206 1848, 1,313 1,069 ... 1 3 4 20 84 128 26 1 267 203 1849, 1,541 1,145 ... 2 5 4 27 113 201 31 383 248 1850, 1,291 964 1 2 1 17 115 158 30 1 325 251 1851, 1,501 1,176 ... '> 1 3 13 100 154 46 319 212 1852, 1,473 1,189 ... 1 2 2 8 93 139 26 271 183 1853, 1,444 1,119 ... •J 4 T 14 91 146 62 320 221 1854, 1,556 1,185 ... 7 3 16 129 184 68 i 408 262 1855, 1,475 1,123 ... 6 3 5 17 104 159 63 347 235 1856, 1,345 1,062 ... 1 1 5 9 76 112 71 275 204 1857, 1,490 1,156 ... 2 2 10 80 144 56 4 298 200 1858, 1,433 1,147 ... 5 2 3 65 155 65 295 205 1859, 1,338 1,074 ... i 2 5 13 76 145 52 (i 300 187 1860, 1,268 915 ... '> 2 10 72 157 68 2 313 209 1861, 1,125 880 ... 18,441 1 22 3 47 2 50 9 269 64 1,466 128 2,491 55 788 1 23 262 5,157 220 Total, 23,567 218 ComjKtrative Mortality of Ages. 21 to 30 years, Mortality per 1,000 5 31 to 40 41 to 50 51 to 60 61 to 70 71 to 80 81 to 90 91 to 100 9 9..6 52 284 483 152 4..5 63 Statistical information relating to the Government of the Hotel (le^; Invalides. 1st. QUALIFICATIONS FOE ADMISSION. 1. The party nmst he a military pensioner. 2. He mnst he sixty years old, (»r his iniirmities must e(pial in their eflf'ects the loss of a liml). 2d. Mean Age of Invalids ; their number and rank. The whole number of Invalids on the 25th of October, 1802, was 2,099, viz : Gratuity. 1 Major, 20 francs per month. 15 Captains, 10 " " 23 Lieutenants, 8 " " " 23 2d. Lieutenants, 7 " " " 33 Adjutants, Regular Pay. 5 Adjutants (warrant-officers,) 5 francs per month. 7 Captains-honorary, 5.33 " '' 58 Lieuteiiants-honoraiy, 4 " " " 33 Sergeants major, 5 " " " 354 Sergeants, 4 " " " 281 Corporals, 3 " 1250 Privates, 2 " " " 16 Drummers, (soldier's sons,) . 2099 Total. AGE. The following were the classitications, according to age, of the 2311 Invalids at the Hotel, on the 27th day of May, 1861. 64 Drummers, from . . 10 to 1(1 years, 10 Invalids, " . . 21 to 30 " IS " .. 31 to 40 " 64 " .. 41 to 50 " 86 " .. 51 to 60 " 161 " " .. 61 to 70 " 821 " . . 71 to 80 " 977 " " . . 81 to 90 " 165 " " . . 91 to 100 " 3 Total, 2,311 The mean age, counting Invalids alone, is GS years. Of the 2,311 invalids, not more than 15 or 20 are soldiers of the Crimean and Italian wars. This results from the fact that, since that time, the rise in the scale of pensions has ena- bled Invalids to live at home, in preference to going into tlie Hotel. PROPOKTION OF INVALIDS ABLE TO LABOR. Of the 2,083 invalids, (excluding the 16 drummers,) pres- ent at this time (Oct. 25th, 1862), only al)out 800 arc a])le to mount guard, so that each man's turn comes round once in ten days. Tliis leaves some 1,300 Invalids incapable of any kind of labor. EXPENDITURES. The expenses of 1861 amounted to Frs. 2,313,744 41 as fol- lows : Repairs of Buildings, 124,000 00 Salaries of Ofhcers, 323,246 78 Pay and Maintenance of Invalids, 108,432 05 Subsistence, 1,758,065 58 Frs. 2,313,744 41 ' ^5 By dividing this sum (less outlays fur repairs), aniouiiting to 2,180,744 41 frs, by 2302, the average number of inmates for 1861, we obtain 951 francs as the average annual cost of each Invalid, or, including repairs, the annual cost is 1.0051 frs., or frs. 2.75 per diem. EMPLOYMENT OF INVALIDS, (m doors.) Chiefs and Adjutants of Divisions 33 Orderlies 17 Doorkeepers 10 Ward-masters, or Overseers 12 In the various offices 14 Internal military service 77 Total occupied daily 163 OUT-DOOE SERVICES. Invalids, when not on duty, are free to dispose of their time, and many (some 130) thus find employment about the city, in lawyers' or sheriffs' offices, or as superintendents' of buildings in process of construction. Some again, amounting to 188, who are authorized to lodge in town, draw their rations in kind. The government furnishes no means of employment in the Hotel. INFIRMAEY. The average number of sick in the infirmary, is about 200 in summer, to 300 in winter. The mean annual mortality is 289. 9 66 LABOR OF INVALIDS. Invalids are free to labor according as tliey can find oppor- tunity. Tlieir gratuity {solde de menu besoin) being insutii- cient to meet tlieir necessary expenses, they supplement it either by the fruits of their labor, or by the sale of a portion of their rations. PERSONAL EXPENSES. Livalids receive in food, drink, and clothing, all that is necessary ; nevertheless, it is to be regretted that they are chargeable with the following items of expenditure, viz : 1^^. Hair-cutting and shaving. '2id. Purchase of soap, brushes and blacking. 3c7. Washing of flannel drawers and waistcoats ; st)cks, pocket handkerchiefs, etc. A commission has been appointed to revise the organization of the Hotel, and will, in all probability, change the existing state of things in this particular. (Signed) Faure. October 25, 18G2. Mcdiciil Director of the Invcalicles. PRUSSIA. INVALID HOUSE OF BEKLIN. C(M of Maintenance i^er Head. This Invalid Asylum contains one Battalion, consisting of 26 officers, 4 physicians, and 400 men, divided into 8 com- panies. The salaries are according to rank, as follows : 67 Yearly. 1 Commandant 1,800 Thalers. 2 Company-Chiefs, each 800 thalers 1,600 " 6 do " GOO " 3,G00 8 First Lieutenants, " 300 " 2,400 8 Second do \ ^^ .,,^ ,^ 1 do do (Adjutant),/ "^^ Additional for Adjutant, GO " 2,220 " 1 Chief Physician, 360 " 3 Assistant Physicians, " 240 " 1,080 " 8 Orderly Sergeants, " 10 " monthly 960 " 72 Non-commissioned Officers, " 4 " " 3,456 " 320 Privates, " 2 J " " 9,600 Extra pay (gratuity) for the 1st, or Body-Guard Company of 50 men, 1 thaler per month 600 " Extra pay for the 2d, or Grenadier Company of 50 men, h thaler per month 300 " Extra pay for the 37 oldest Non-commissioned officers, and 154 oldest Privates, 191 th. 15 s. g. per month 1,146 " Extra pay for Non-commissioned officer acting as Battalion Secretary 18 •' Expenses per Company, annually 18 th. 18 s. g. ; for 8 Com- panies 149 *' Repairs of arms per Company, 6 th 48 " Gratuities for 400 men, each 4 th 1,600 " Stationery for Commandant's office 36 " " " Companies, each 7^ th 60 " Annual appropriation to meet extraordinary contingencies, 1,200 " Total annual expenses 19,173 " To this must be added for dietary, 1 lb. 12 oz. bread per cap. daily — therefore for 400 men 5,200 For clothing 8 Sergeants, each 7.28, or 63. 15.4 " " 72 Non-commissioned officers, " 6.10, 456.18 320 Privates, " 5.28, 1,820.13.... 2,340 16 Also cost of maintenance of sick, average per cap. 4 th. 4 s. g. yearly, for 400 1,657 23 Th. 28,371 10 For Quarters, there is counted according to regulations, as fol- lows : 8 Orderly Sergeants, 36 th. yearly— 288. 72 Non-Commissioned Officers, IG " " 1,152. 320 Privates, 6 " " 1,920. 3,360 Whence it follows that the cost of maintaining 400 men ex- clusive of quarters, fire and lights, is 28,371 th. 10 s. g., or, on an average per head per year of a little over 70 thalers. But if we incltrde in the cost of maintaining these 400 men the salaries of officers, their roomy quarters and emoluments for fuel and lie-hts, as well as the fact that beside the Battalion, es a number of officers with their families, reside in tliis estab- lishment as beneficiaries, having all ajipropriate snrronntlings and comforts, as well as extras for attendance, reaching from 60 to 130 thalers annnally, we shall, of conrse, reach an entirely different resnlt from that expressed in the foregoing figures. LT. S. MILITARY ASYLUM, OE SOLDIERS' HOME, WASHINGTON, D. C. BY LEWIS H. STEINER, INSPECTOR, II. S. S. C. The object of this institution, which was established in ac- cordance with an Act of Congress, passed March 3d, 1851, is to provide a comfortable home for iniMlid and disaUed soldiers of the army, who have served their country faithfully, and who shall be entitled to the benefits of the institution. The buildings are located on the Riggs Mansion farm, some two miles outside the city limits, and consist of three dwellings for the officers, the asylum building proper, and a hospital, with suitable out-houses. The grounds are handsomely laid out — a thick grove of trees near the buildings furnish pleasant re- treat from the heat of the sun in summer, while the farm proper and the garden afford opportunities for occupying the inmates with recreation and profitable labor. The Board of Commissioners consists of three officers of the army, who are ex-officio members of the same. These are the Adjutant-General, the Surgeon-General, and the Connnissary- General. The constitution of the Board is objectionable, because the members have these duties superadded to those belonging to their positions as heads of departments, which require all their time and attention. One thing may be said in its favor — that such a constitution of \\\q. Board protects it from the evil effects of partisan-api)ointments. 60 The officers of the as3'hiin are — a governor, deputy-gover- nor, secretary, treasurer, and surgeon. Tlie duties of the sec- retary and treasurer are equivalent to those of quartermaster and commissary in the Held. Dr. Benjamin King, U. S. A., holds hoth these offices, and also acts as surgeon. There is no governor. Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander, Fifth Infantry, is at present the deputy-governor, and in command of the post. In addition to these officers, there are five non-commisioned officers (an orderly-sergeant, two sergeants, and two corporals) selected from the inmates, and one hospital steward, enlisted in the regular army. Soldiers are admitted to the asylum from three classes : 1. Those who have honestly and faithfully served twenty years in the regular arm}'. 2. All who are enjoying a pension from Government ; hut " all pensioners who may desire to avail themselves of the advantages of the asylum, are required by law to surrender their 'pensions to the institution' during the time they may remain therein, and continue to receive its beneiits." 3. Those who have been disabled in the service. Applicants, according to the regulations, are required to produce evidence of their service in the army. " They must state their age, place of birth, and physical condition ; the company, regiment, and corps in which they have served (and when practicable, will produce the certificate of an army sur- geon, that the applicant is not able to support himself by manual labor)." Such members of the asylum as have families, and desire to live with them, are allowed a pension of eight dollars per month, and are permitted to live beyond the limits of the 70 asylnni. In case of misconduct, the acting governor has the privilege of suspending tlie a]k)Avances granted. Tlie sum of eiglit dollars is sometimes made up by an addition to the pen- sion drawn from Government. This class of members is known as outside-pensioners. The Army Regulations — so far as they may be applicable — and a special set of regulations adopted by the War Depart- ment, constitute the laws for the internal government of the asylum. There is, however, no roll-call, but the non-commissioned officers are expected to see to the presence of the men at the proper place, whenever a roll-call would l)e required in the army. The inmates may be required, " at the discretion of the governor, to perform such duties in and about the buildings and grounds of the institution as, in his judgment, their age, physical condition, and abilities will allow." Such of them, however, as are employed on the farm, are entitled to the al- lowance of twenty cents per day for the days actually em- ployed in the work. Whether employed on this kind of lal)()r or not, each inmate is allowed, during good conduct and the faithful performance of light duties about the asylum, such as may be ordered by the Governor, one dollar per month, as pocket money. With this, tobacco, and such luxuries as they may require, can be purchased. The orderly sergeant receives ten dollars per month, the sergeants eight, and the cor})orals seven. Formerly tobacco was supplied, but as some of the men were found engaged iji selling it, this had to be stopped and pocket-money substituted. There is a place for smoking, in the winter, in the upper story of the nuiin building, where the fumes are carried away without entei-ing any of the apartments. 71 As regards clothinp;, tliey are allowed tliis in quantity not to exceed tlie allowance to the army in the field. Under no circumstances whatever, is it permitted to an inmate to dis- pose of his clothing. The regulations require that " there shall be established a neat and comfortable uniform (both for dress and fatigue), which shall be worn by all inmates of the Asylum. All clothing in the possession of the inmates at the time of admission, will be delivered to the Steward, Ijy whom it will be safely kept and returned to the owner whenever he may be discharged from the institution ; and no clothing other than the established uniform will be worn by any in- mate of the Asylum while he remains therein." Each soldier is supplied with a chest for his clotliing and other articles be- longing to him, and lias an iron l)edstead, with neat and suit- able bedding, in a ward calculated to hold five to eight. These M^irds are well ventilated and look exceedingly com- fortable. Their rations are the same as those of the army ; all sav- ings are employed for tlie benefit of the Asylum, and so far towards the purchase of articles not allowed in the Govern- ment ration. " For misconduct (of which drunkenness, fighting, al)usive and profane language may be enumerated as the most })romi- nent), or for any conduct sul)versive of good order and disci- pline, inmates will be subject to punishment by the stoppage of their pocket-money and small stores, curtailments of their rations, and confinement, or otherwise, at the discretion of the governor, or acting-governor, and for a repetition of any such offences they may be dismissed." The surgeon con- siders that the present regulations, or others more stringent still, should be strictly insisted on in order to keep the estab- lishment in proper order. Men with nothing to do are restive •72 uikIgi' pruliil)itury laws uud will disregard them. This is true of the superannuated as well as the youthfrl. The diU'erence between tlieni, on the score of insuljordination, is one of de- gree and not of kind. Furloughs are given from time to time to members of the Asylum, not exceeding a number of days, iixed by the author- ities. Should the inmate not return at the expiration of the furlough, he is entered on the rolls as a deserter. Desertion, or absence without leave, deprives the inmate of the privilege of re-admission to the Asylum, unless special admission be ob- tained from the executive committee ; this, however, it seems, has been comparatively very easy to obtain, and men have returned tw^o or three times after their names had been stricken from the rolls. As the use of the Asylum has been somewhat loose on this subject, wdienever men are dissatisfied they quickly determine to leave, believing that they can readily regain their old status in the institution. At the present time, Sept. 2, 1862, the nundjer of inmates is 112; the capacity of the building is said by the authorities to be 180, although one can readily see that 250 might possibly be accommodated without any great inconvenience. The expenses for the Asylum for the year ending July 1, 1862, were $35,022. A great increase of the number of inmates would not greatly increase the expense of the establishment. Indeed, the only items which would be increased would be those ol food and clothing. On this account it would be desirable that such an establishment as the Asylum should consist of many benefi- ciaries and not of few. The increase of expense after the erec- tion of proper Iniildings, and the purchase of the grounds, does not go owj^ari jxissu with the number of the inmates. It is poor economy to have a large number of such Asylums, and experience here teaches how readily, when the plan of an in- 73 stitution is once fully and completely detennined on, it may be indefinitely enlarged Avitliont anything like a proportionate exj)enditure. There, is of course, another argument in favor of a large establishment over one of less proportions, — the feeling that one is an integral portion of a great body, is alwaj^s more gratifying and cheering, and is well calculated to prevent the despondency and hypochondria too common in all eleemos}^- nary establishments. As regards the health of '' the old soldier,'' an excellent ac- count is furnished h\ Dr. King. Xot more than three per cent, of sickness are tbnnd on an average in the hospital. Five per cent, represent the total sickness in hospital and quar- ters. Phthisis is not unfrequent with the Irish, who die at a comparatively early age. The good health prevalent here may be attributed to the location of the Asylum, on the high ground north of Washington, free from the depressing influ- ences of malaria and the impure emanations which hang over cities. The fresh, pure air, freedom from care and annoyance, and soimd, wholesome food,^these account for the healthy glow and the sturdy appearance of the veterans. One constant source of trouble in the government of the Asylum, is the use of intoxicating drinks to excess. Xo liquor is allowed in the institution. The inmates however succeed in getting it whenever they leave the grounds, sometimes smuggling it within the buildings and getting into trouble in consequence. If this source of trouble were removed, the discipline of the institution could be carried out with the greatest ease. In the wa}" of amusements great want is experienced. The men play checkers, dominoes. There is no bowling saloon or l)illiard table, to attract them from dull brooding. The conse- quence is, when they have exhausted their fund of anecdote, 10 iind have tired uf heariii^i!; each otlier's accounts of liard fouglit battles, unless they are working on the larm, a killing ennui seizes them, which gladly finds relief in intoxication or other occasional violation of the regulations. The human mind as well as the human body must be employed, in order that a hai)py condition of health may be attained. The greater the variety of which this employment consists, the more perfect the result to man. It seems somewhat surprising that amuse- ments in the way of experimental " talks" (rather than lec- tures) on objects of interest in science and the passing events of the day have not been introduced into this institution. These would serve to beguile many a weary hour, and afford topics for discussion, at small expense to the government. Models of improvements in warlike weapons might l)e exhib- ited in museums, and charts of l)attles could be hung around the walls, serving to keep the soldier supplied with constant material for thought and conversation. Again, a good mili- tary band is almost indispensable to such an Asylum. The old music that had thrilled the soul during his active term of ser- vice should still be supplied the soldier for the purpose of stirring up old reminiscences and making the blood course gaily through his l)lood-vessels. And while the airs that had so often cheered him in battle should thus meet his ears, the stirring tones of martial music should also be sources of con- stant delight and joy. The trophies of his country's victories would Und their fitting place of deposit here, and he should feel that they were pirt of his own birth right, entrusted to his care to guard, from the destructive effects of time and de- cay, as far as diligent guardianship would ensure such a re- sult. Why suspend such trophies in emi)ty armories, separate from the gallant souls whose valor has won them for the coun- try '^ Let both the evidence of victory and the worn out war- riors be kept in our af^ylnnis, — alike tlie objects of a nation's pride and a nation's care. But man, however mucli be may enjoy amusement and rec- reation, nmst have constant employment, suited to his physical strength and congenial to his tastes. The absence of such con- stant employment must be looked upon as a prime cause of restlessness, dissatisfaction, and acerbity of manners occasion- ally found in this Asylum. '' An idle brain is the devil's work- shop," and to prevent such idleness a series of light trades should l)e introduced. These might be graduated to the age and strength of the men. The results of their labors should be sold for their Ijeneiit. Tliose who have families could thus contriljute to their support, without being necessarily exposed to the harrassing fear of want and starvation, which would be constantly staring them in the face, were they not witliin the protecting walls of such an institution. A library, containing from 600 to 800 volumes, is connected with the Asylum. The books are generally not well adapted to the minds and tastes of the men. A few thousand dollars expended in selecting histories, biographies, and such like books, would add to the value of this library, and make it more attractive. Eleven or twelve newspapers are subscribed for by the Asylum, and their contents are greedily devoured by those who compare the incidents and conduct of the present war with the past, and thus keep up, in their own minds, a connection between the past and present. Forty per cent, of the inmates write their names, although a large proportion really know something practically of penmanship, and can read. Eeligious services are held every Sunday. A Protestant clergjinan is employed for this purpose ; and a Catholic priest has been engaged, who conducts the worship of his church 76 twice a moiitli. In addition to this, pews are rented for tlic nse of the inmates in llock Creek Chnrcli (Protestant E})isco- pal), and in a Catholic Clnirch in Washington. The Asyhnn derives its snpport principally from Congres- sional appropriations, althongh a small amonnt is obtained from other sonrces connected with the army. Thns, article 1333 Hev. Reg., orders that "• The paymaster will dednct from the pay of all enlisted men twelve and a-half cents per month for the snpport of the Soldiers' Home, and also the amount of the authorized stoppages entered on the nnister-roll, descriptive list, or certificate of discharge." Forfeitures, on account of desertion, are theoretically considered as heing paid over to the account of the Home ; but the practical operation of this rule is, that nothing virtually is paid over, as sutlers invari- ably have claims which absorb all such forfeitures. Arti('le 1195 Eev. Reg. requires that, " On the first of January, each year, one-fourth of every hospital fund, if less than $150, and one-half if more, will be dropped by the connnissary from the fund (hospital fund), and will be paid over to the treasurer of the Soldiers' Home by the Connnissary General." Practically this also amounts to nothing, as each hospital surgeon seems to take special care that there shall be no hospital fund on hand by the first of each January. In truth, the appropriations made by Congress constitute the means of snpport of the Asylum, and the other sources of support are simpl}^ nominal. Respectfully sul)mitted, (Signed,) Lewis II. Steiner, San. In.'^jx'ctm' U. S. S. C. 77 MASSACHUSETTS SOLDIERS' FUND. Organization of the Massachusetts Soldiers'' Fund. — On the 27tli of April, 1801, a committee of one hundred prominent citizens from various parts of the State met in the Senate Cliamher at the State House in Boston, to considef what action should be taken in behalf of soldiers and the families of soldiers Avho had been, or might be called into service. The result of the meeting was an organization of the committee, with a President, ten Vice-Presidents, an Executive Committee of fifteen, a Secretary and a Treasurer, for officers ; with power to manage the interests of the connnittee. Object of the Organization. — The object of the organization was stated to be " to receive contributions for the benefit of soldiers, and the families of soldiers who have been (had been) or may be (might be) called into active service, to be held in trust as a fund in reserve, to be applied at the discretion" of the Executive Committee. This fund was named the " Massa- chusetts Soldiers' Fund," and was the first provision made for the systematic assistance of soldiers and families of soldiers in the State. It was expressly designed to operate as a reserve fund, to be used wlien the generous but temporary relief af- forded by the contributions of neighbors and friends should fail. Management of the Fund. — A subscription was opened and proper measures taken for the management of the monies thus raised. It was resolved to hold quarterly meetings of the com- mittee of one hundred, on the second Wednesday of July, Oc- tober, January, and April, in each year. The management and disposition of the donations being in the hands of the Executive Committee, this committee resolved to hold weekly meetings, and has done so, the first meeting having been held 78 April 30, 18(51. At these meetings, the special coniniittee on applications for relief, submits a written report of the material tacts of the cases examined, which, if accepted, is certihed hy a meml)er of the committee on finance, and attested by the secretary, and this certificate is authority to the treasurer to draw his check for the amount appropriated. Method of Dl^pem'ing Relief. — It is the practice of the com- mittee to give assistance, wherever practicable, in the form of a weekly allowance for a given number of weeks, according to the necessities of the case, the sum allowed being deposited in a saving's bank, as a check upon imprudence, loss, or theft. In addition to this systematic relief^ the secretary is empowered to grant discretionary aid in cases of innnediate necessity where the routine of system would be too slow in relieving suffering. An agent is employed to whom application is made and who is in attendance at his office, No. 56 Merchants' Exchange, every day. Title of Claimants. — There is no exact rule laid down as to the class of persons entitled to relief from this fund, other than that indicated in the purpose of the fund as stated at the or- ganization of the committee of one hundred. But Mr. Greene, the agent, being also agent of another fund (the Boston Sol- diers' Fund),* and administering l)oth trusts in the same office, is in the habit of ol)serving a general distinction, l)y wliicli this fund is distributed chiefly to the widows of soldiers killed, or who have died in service, and their families ; and to wounded and disabled soldiers who have been discharged from service. * See accompanying abstract of the doings of the Massachusetts Soldiers' Fund. 79 Iicsrdts. — The results of the inauagemeiit of this fund fix)m its establishment to July 1, 1863, I have set forth in the ac- companying tables, so far as I could obtain them from the va- rious statements and reports of the secretary and the treasurer. I have recorded whatever facts I could glean, without reference altogether to their bearing u]>on this special investigation which I have undertaken, but with reference, also, to any other questions which may arise upon kindred topics, being con- vinced that the most insigniiicant statistics may assist in ob- taining valuable inferences. There are two or three points in this accomit of the Massa- chusetts Soldiers' Fund to which I would ask attention : 1. Dhproportion of Claims made upon the Fund to the number of the Class embraced in its j)rovis^wn.'<. — In reference to the number of cases relieved at the end of the first quarter, only one case had received assistance — that of a soldier wounded in Baltimore on the 19th April. The relief afforded consisted in starting him in the way of selling newsi)apers. Few applied in the next quarter, and no doubt this was owing in part to the expressed intention of the connnittee to hold the fund somewhat as a reserve fund. But it was not intended to refuse the class embraced in its provisions, and the managers of the fund took pains to have this fact jiublicly known, and yet, at the close of the first year only eighty-six had made application, notwithstanding, as the secretary adds in his report, "• great efi:brts were made to increase the know- ledge of the society." Again, at the close of the fifth quarter, the secretary reports : " We have assisted every one who fur- nished evidence of a case within the rules prescribed by the founders of the fund ; and though during the last three months the numl)er of such persons is nearly as large as in 80 the whole of the previous year, the -]i taking great pains to inform the pnl)lic mind, to find enongli claimants for tlieir bonnty, while the nnnil>er of recipients constantly diminishes, as well as the average anionnt of relief required by each. But I shall re- turn to this subject hereafter in connexion with other soci- eties. II. Sijdem of liecord. — The only other point which I would notice is, in reference to the system of entry adopted in the management of the fund. While each case assisted is re- corded somewhat at length, so that from the multitude of cases certain statistics of interest may be gathered, as in the abstract presented, the system turns upon the purpose kept constantly in view of making an accurate account of all the money entrusted to the disbursers of the fund. Keeping this purpose in mind, we may say that there is a most exact man- agement of the fund, and that the system answers its ends. And yet one could wish that such valuable facts as this series of cases affords, might be more available. The sutfering are indeed relieved effectually, but there might be much preven- tion of the same suffering in future, if the economy of relief could receive suggestions from these several cases, both sepa- rately and when combined into classes. STATE AID THROUGH CITY AGENCY. Legislative Action in Sjyecial Session of 1861. — The tirst action taken by the State Legislature for the aid of families of volunteers, was in the form of an act approved May 213, 1861, granting permission to the cities and towns of the State to raise money and apply it for the aid of families of volunteers, whicli money tlie State engages to re-imburse to a specified extent. Another act, of sul)stantially the same character, l)ut 11 82 moditVing the provisions of the Ibriner, was passed and ap- proved March IS, 1862, [chap. C^Q,] ; and it is nnder tlie pro- visions of tliis act that the city of Boston grants aid to the families of volunteers. Amount of Aid afforded in Each Case. — The city regulates its grants by the amount which the State guarantees to re- turn. This amount is a sum not exceeding one dollar per week for each child or parent having a claim under the pro- visions of the act. Provided, that the whole sum so reimbursed shall not exceed twelve dollars per month for all persons de- pendent upon any volunteer — so that a family of twelve is en- titled to no more than a family of three. Claimants for Aid. — The persons entitled to aid under this act are the wives, children, parents, brothers and sisters de- pendent upon a citizen volunteer, but as the State does not re- imburse money applied for the aid of brothers and sisters, the city applies this at its discretion. The applicant for city relief must present a certificate from the Adjutant General's Office, of the fact of the volunteer upon whom he or she is dependent, being in the service. Act for the Relief of Families of Deceased and Disahled Soldiers. — In addition to this act, another was passed and ap- proved March 12, 1863, extending the same aid to persons holding the same relation to a deceased or disabled soldier for a period of one year from the date of such decease or discharge from the army. In no case is this aid granted to the soldier himself, but only to persons dependent upon him. These acts, and the regulations adopted under them, have l)een published on a sheet from the State Auditor's Office. Returns under this Act,—1 have examined the returns for 83 the several wards of the city of Boston for the year 1S62, and have set forth the result in the accompanying table. There have as yet been no returns under the act providing for the families of deceased or discharged soldiers, nor will there be any until the close of the year. The returns for 1861, under the iirst act, I have not examined in detail, but there has been a steady increase in applications for relief from the beginning, though no greater than would iiaturally be ex}3ected. BOSTON SOLDIERS' FUND ASSOCIATION. Organization and Ohject. — The Boston Soldiers Fund Asso- ciation was organized in the fall of 1862, and the wards of the city which entered the organization elected two trustees each, to carry into effect the purpose of the subscribers to the fund. This purpose was stated to be the assistance " of necessitous and deserving soldiers and their families, whether enlisted trom Boston, or residents of Boston, whenever they may need pecuniary aid." The subscription to this fund has been kept open, and dislnirsements under it commenced Dec. 11, 1862. Each ward in the city, with the exception of wards X, and XI., which have distinct organizations, has two trustees and a district committee of ten members, while the officers are a president, treasurer, secretary, and an executive committee of seven. 3fode of JJistrihution. — The course adopted in distributing aid is briefly thus : Upon application being made for assist- ance, the case is put in the hands of a member of the district committee for the ward in Avhich the applicant resides, who inquires into the merits of the case, and reports to the trustees of the ward. The trustees in their turn report to the execu- tive committee, which, at its weekly meeting, passes upon the 84 case, and recommends the amount of relief to 1)0 afforded, which is paid in the form of an allowance, and disbursed by the general agent, at his office. Title of Claimant. — As I before remarked, the agent of the Boston Soldiers' Fund is also agent of the Massachusetts Sol- diers' Fund, and he is thus enabled to disburse the two funds with greater economy, both by guarding against any persons '•eceiving aid from the two societies at once, and by making a distinction between the classes to be aided, for he also is au- thorized to inquire into the merits of the cases presented. I do not know that any special disability entitles a soldier or a soldier's family to receive aid from this fund ; but, in general, we may say that it proposes to step forward with its assistance, in all regular or irregular cases of necessity, which other chari- table funds fail to reach or to cover. Record. — Each case approved by the Executive Committee comes to the agent registered on a blank form, and these forms are by him kept on file. His cash journal contains the date of payment to each applicant, the names registered under the separate wards, the sum paid to each. From this cash journal, and from the treasurer's report for July 7, 1S63, I gather a few facts recorded in the accompany- ing tables. WAED XL SOLDIERS' RELIEF SOCIETY. Thejirst volunteer city niovement. — Two wards are not rep- resented in the Boston Soldiers' Fund Association, for the reason that they had previously formed separate associations for the same object, and were in successful operation. Tlie Eleventh Ward was the first to organize, and I will copy an account of its operations furnished at my recjuest by the secre- tary of the society : 85 Organization. — ''Our organization is called Ward Eleven Soldiers' Kelief Society. The fund is twenty-live thousand dollars, invested in United States securities. July 30, 1862, the citizens of the Ward were called together to consult and take means to raise three hundred volunteers, as called for l)y the President of the United States. A committee of twenty were appointed by this meeting to recruit in the Ward, and to raise $25,000 for the relief of soldiers and their families, and to see to its distribution. This connnittee is sul)-divided into ten committees of two each. The full connnittee meet every Tuesday evening, and all applications are then considered, and referred to the above sub-connnittees, who visit the applicants, ascertain their wants, and relieve according to their judgment. Title of Claimant. — "Any member of a soldier's family M'ho is dependent upon him for support, any wounded soldier re- turned or discharged, and the families of those killed in battle or dying of disease, have a claim upon the society. Dishursemeiits. — " We have disbursed S5,500 to the relief as above, including 82,5(.)0 paid in allotments to soldiers' fami- lies, they thus having a lixed sum monthly, a part of which we hope to and shall receive back again. The number on our books amounts to 500. Two-thirds of that number receive aid from the fund according to situation and number in the family, ages of children, sickness, &c., and some by the above allot- ments. Last winter the committee distributed a large amount of clothing and shoes, which were kindly donated l)_v the citi- zens of the Ward. Results. — " I will remark, in addition, that this committee took extraordinary pains to become personally acquainted with the family of every soldier in service from the Ward, and that under their system, it seemed almost impossible that there should be any serious privation among the class concerned." WARD X. SOLDIERS' RELIEF, FUND. Date of Organisation. — The prom})t action of the Eleventh Ward was followed by that of Ward Ten. The Ward Ten Soldiers' Relief Fund was organized in August, 186:2. The amount then and snl)se(piently raised was about $7,000. Mode of JJlstrihution. — The fund is in the hands of five trustees — -gentlemen resident in the Ward who act as a commit- tee of relief. Amongst them the Ward is districted, and each has power to relieve applicants in his district. Personal in- vestigation is made of each case, and such assistance, and for so long a time, is made as shall seem advisable to the commit- tee having charge of the case. Title of Claimants. — Applicants for aid must have been residents of the Ward at the date of the raising of the fund ; but if they have since removed to other Wards, they are still entitled to aid. The fund is conducted substantially as that of the Eleventh Ward, and the system of neighl)orly oversight enables the charity to be judiciously administered. I have been unable to obtain any facts as to the number assisted or the amount of aid granted. DISCHARGED SOLDIERS' HOME. Organization and Design. — Although not strictly a local institution, yet, as being founded and sustained in this city, the " Discharged Soldiers' Home" comes within the scope of this investigation. It was organized July 4, 1S62, under an extensive board of management, embracing one hundred and nine individuals, with the design to i)rovide a comfortable 87 Home ''for sucli persons who are in need, as have heen honor- ably discharged from the army of the United States, l)y reason of their sickness or wounds/'' A bnikling has been granted them l)y the city government, and the Home lias for some time been in operation. Title of Ajyjjlicants. — No restriction appears to be exercised respecting applicants, other than that of honorable discharge and deserving need. The l)nilding does not admit of more than one Inindred and twenty inmates at one time, and yet has never been full. Their ordinary number, I think, is about seventy. General FesulU. — In the month of May, 18G3, they re- ceived seventy-four and dismissed sixty-iive. One of these was sent away because he was cm-ed and well. With this ex- ception, sixty-four went voluntarily ; two-thirds of them to go to work, one-third to go to friends who had written for them and were ready to receive them, in places where there was no such charity as this to take them in hand. [These statements are from a letter of Rev. E. E. Hale to Mr. Knapp, unpub- lished.] The cases at the discharged Soldiers' Home may be said to be the worst cases of all. It appears, then, that after treatment there, two-thirds of the men who had been discharged, as dis- abled soldiers, were able to support themselves, and one-third were cared for. There is absolutely but one black sheep— who was sent away because he was well — left of that month's troop to become applicants for general charity (and he asserted that he was going to work). Yet the discharges for this month amount to sixty-iive seventy-fourths of the number re- ceived for the same month. I liave set down a few statistics of tlic Discliarg-ed Soldiers"' Home in an accompanying table. 1. — Clasaijication of Cases rdleoed htj tJie llafusav/ttiseiU- Soldiers-' Fund, from April, 1861, to July, 1863/ 'So, «g d-g 'S-^" -g ■Jm OP '^S <<-i Number of cases relieved 353 253 275 206 Amt disbursed to recipients.. .89,597 50 S7,601 11 So, 199 00 83,132 00 Average amount of relief to each case 27 18 30 04 18 90 15 20 Permit me to add a few wordr* respecting tlie workinii: and result of these various cliarities. 1. Jlutual UmlerstcuuHng. — It appears that notwithstand- ing the existence of several independent organizations, there is little interference between them, and little opportunity for dishonest applicants to secure help from more than one. The State aid, indeed, is given to every applicant who is depen- dent upon an absent volunteer, or a discharged disabled sol- dier, according to the rules mentioned. But the Boston Soldiers' Fund, and Massachusetts Soldiers' Fund, being dis- bursed l)v the same agent, are, so far as applicants are con- cerned, one Fund ■; and the Tenth Ward and Eleventh Ward Fmids are so strictly defined, that they do not interfere with the other organizations. If applicants appear for these ward charities who do not reside in these wards, they are sent to the agent of the Boston Fund ; if applicants appear there who reside in either the Tenth or Eleventh Ward, they are sent to those associations, so that the whole ground of the city is covered, and no organization overlaps another in its district. 2. General Beisulti^. — Although the statistics which I have draM-n up are not very full, yet they indicate, I think, that an yet the various funds suffice for the actual needs of soldiers and their lamilies ; an indication which is confirmed l»y the 12 90 testimony of the almoners of the funds. I think also that we may infer a large amount of self-respect, leading the great ma- jority of cases assisted to help themselves when possihle, and, in the case of discharged soldiers, a willingness to go to work as soon as able to do so. 3. The Material for a full Statement respect'imj Sold'ten^^ Aid. — ^I would draw attention, finally to the abundant mate- rial which exists in various offices in this city for a further and more complete statement of the tacts in relation to volunteers and their families, and discharged disaljled soldiers and their families. This material is not at present wholly available, but if measures could be taken to collect and arrange it, I am con- vinced that it would aftbrd invaluable data for important con- clusions. Let me indicate the resources that exist here for in- vestigation npon these and kindred topics. 1. Regiment Bolls. — In the Adjutant Generars Office, at the State House, are the rolls of the Massachusetts regiments. These rolls contain about 11,000 names of men enlisted from Boston. The rolls are drawn up under the following headings: 1^; p5 -3 cj C» 3. Boaton Soldiers' Fand.—^xQi'y case assisted by the Bos- tun Soldiers' Fund Association is recorded upon a blank form and filed for reference. These forms embrace the following heads : Ward, name, age, married, residence, enlisted, occupation. Do you receive aid from town. State of Massachusetts, City of Boston, Overseer of Poor, any other source. DEPEXDEXT, Name, age, relation, residence, children, names and ages. 4. Ifassachusetts Soldiers^ Fund. — A descriptive account of every case assisted by the Massachusetts Soldiers' Fund is re- corded in their books with alphabetical reference. These are the principal records, but the ward funds could also, no doul)t, furnish similar statements respecting all who have received assistance from them, A collation of these records would be of the o-reatest value. 92 STATE All) TllEOUGll CTTY AGENCY. (kELIEF COIMMITTEE.) Aiuouut of Average of assistanre yearly aiil No. of fhiring tho to each fa- Cases*, year. uiily. Ward 1 383 $26,184 00 $68 36 11 345 19,563 00 56 70 III 356 22,827 00 64 12 IV 91 5,107 00 56 12 V 274 17,065 00 62 28 VI 185 11,271 00 60 92 VII 319 22,293 00 69 91 " VllI 281 18,083 00 64 35 IX 214 14,790 00 69 11 X 365 22,407 00 61 38 XI 530 82,140 00 60 64 XII 605 43,234 00 69 80 Whole number of families, or parts of families aided in Boston.. 3,948 Total amount of aid $254,964 00 Average to each claim 64 58 BOSTON SOLDIERS' FFiXD ASSOCIATION. From De- cern" rlS62, to April 3, 1863, inc. FromApril 9, to May 21, inclu- sive. From May 28, to .Tune 25, 1863. 11, 1862, to .Tunc 25th, 1863. Amount disbursed No. of cases assisted... Average Aid ...$5,235 12 ... 547 ... $9 57 $1,482 00 167 $8 87 $836 00 66 $12 66 $7,553 12 780 $9 55 KECEII'TS. Amount received from subscriptions $64,878 76 By increase in value of gold, interest, etc 1,395 07 Total $ti6,273 83 inSBI'RSEMENT.s. Amount disbursed $7,553 12 On loan at 5 per cent 11,000 00 On loan at 4 per cent 45,000 00 Expenses 341 50 Balance 2,379 21 Total S66.273 83 Number enlisted from Boston, 11,000. Number of families assisted by city. ..3,948, at average uf $64 58 each. Number of families in Eleventh Ward assisted by city. ..530, at $60 64 each. Assisted in addition, by Eleventh Ward Committee. ..500. 93 Boston Discharged Soldiers' Home. Total niiinber received, July, 1S62, to Au<:;iist, 1863, inclu- sive D87 May, 1863. Number of inmates at begiimiiiij; of niontli T-t Admitted durins; month 74 — 148 Discharged 6Q Leaving 82 Of whom 13 were conlined to their beds. June, 18G3. Number of inmates at beginning of month 82 Admitted during month (o() — 148 Of this uuml^er under surgical treatment 25 Enlisted in Invalid Corps 5 Died 3 Returned to friends lU Left, have found employment 39 Dishonorably discliarged (for intemperance) 9 — (36 82 July, 1863. Number of inmates at beginning of month 82 Admitted during month 55 — 137 Died 1 Returned to friends 29 Left, having found employment - 20 Dishonorably discharged (for intemperance) 5 — 55 82 94 For iiioiitbs of May, June, and July, 18(33, the average nunil)er daily provided for was 82, at a per cajjita expense of 56 cents. August, 1863. Number of inmates at beginning of month 82 Admitted during month 76 — 158 Died 9 Enlisted 1 Returned to friends 39 Left, having found employment 27 Dishonorably discharged 8 — 84 74 Average daily attendance, 80 ; at an average expense of 67i cents each. Add to this (what was included in estimate for preceding three months) salaries of superintendent and matron, amount- ing to $1,000 per annum, and we have for average expense of each individual through August, about 71 cents per diem. In computing the cost, everything is included, but the rent of, the building is free ; and it must be added that the aid of friends has largely reduced the cost of clothing. No expense falls upon the soldier, who is fed, clothed, and housed, and pro- vided with medical attendance. The accommodations are nominally limited to one hundred, Init as many as one hun- dred and lifteen, and one hundred and twenty have, at times, l)een provided for. Jno. S. Blatcuford. 95 PROPOSITION FOURTH. Could not the PulAlc Lands enahlc as to form Invalid Bon 113 tliein, and tliej should be made to feel that in providing tor them in this way, the country designs it as a means for aiding their families as well as themselves. Such an intention, thus plainly revealed, should, of itself, operate as a sufficient stimu- lus to enter into the movement. For, when all the advantages which, under good management, can be derived ti'oni associ- ated labor are taken into account, when laud is given, and numerous aids to self-support superadded, it does not seem as though men could hesitate about accepting and improving op- portunities thus placed within their reach. The system of bounty-lands has not tended practically to favor settlement. Within the past few years these grants have seldom been located by their original owners, most of whom have been in the habit of disposing of their warrants to speculators, for a trifle. Quantities of land, however large, when thus issued, are plainly valueless, as land, to their grantees, being only considered of worth as the representative of a floating value in the stock market. To throw land away in this manner is, certainly, to defeat the original purpose of the grant, which is to favor settlement upon it. Instead of bestowing (in addition to a pension) a section of one hundred and sixty acres of land, which, at the government price of .si 25 per acre, is worth two hundred dollars, upon each invalid, and of which, if unable to hire labor, he cannot till the quarter, give him three acres per head for every mem- ber of his family actually settling with him, of tillage land, and ten of grazing land. Supposing there are five members in each family, this would give from fifteen to fifty acres, worth $18 75, or s72 50. To each family of five members let one cow be given, value 8-5 ; also, a cheap house, costing not more than $200. One large building for factory purposes would be needed. The cost of this would of com-se vary witli 15 114 circunistaiices, but taking tlie niininuim side of tlic ]H-obleiii, not less tlian $2,000 would be required to build and stock it with tools. This estimate does not include machinery. The following table will exhibit these propositions at a glance, calculated for a village of sixty fan^ilies. Throwing out of the account the land, which costs the government no- thing, and we have : 60 houses, at $200 $12,000 60 cows, at $25 1,500 One factory with tools 2,000 $15,500 Add for contino-encies, not enumerable. . . . 1,000 $16,500 PEE CONTRA. Instead of such a village, on entering which, invalids should relinquish their pensions, let us see what the cost to the coun- try would annually be, were the invalids simply to draw their pensions. Supposing only one pensioner in each family, and he of the lowest grade — then the account would stand thns : Sixty pensioners at $96 per year, $5,T60 00 ; which sum in less than three years would amount to the cost of establishing an invalid village. After the expiration of three years, the country would tlius save $5,760 per annum, for each si.di/ invalids disposed of in this way, while the rise in value of the jniblic lands innnedi- ately adjoining these invalid villages would bring an addition- al return into the public treasury. Presenting families with land, a house, a cow, some farming- tools, and a factory for associated labor to exercise itself in. 115 are advantages which should induce a very large resort on the part of invalids to this mode of supporting themselves and their families. While, on the other hand, to the country at large, it constitutes a most economical method for reducing the expenses of the Pension Bureau. The government and direction of these villages should be under the care of the Agricultural Department. They should be managed with a due regard to the comfort and well-being of their inliabitants, as well as according to principles of econo- my. A local superintendent chosen from among the inhabi- tants themselves, and aided by proper assistants, should con- stitute the municipal government. But being in the nature of inchoate connnunities, like territories, they should be made amenable to the federal authority alone, in all questions rela- ting to organic changes in their management. The Commis- sioner of Agriculture might appoint a resident agent to super- intend the administration of the affairs of the community, though it would be more consonant with popular tastes to al- low the inhabitants to choose a superintendent for themselves. These are matters, however, of a subordinate character, and which circumstances must be allowed to direct. When the main question of the feasibility of these communities shall have been settled, all inferior ones will follow in course. AI^NUAL DISTKIBUTIOX OF PROFITS. The lands apportioned among the inhabitants of these vil- lages being intended for their support, should not be consider- ed as worked in common. N'o distribution of their profits should, therefore, be made. If the}' more than supply tlie wants of any one family, so much tlie better for them ; if they fail to do so, then the next source of support, tlie factory, must be applied to. Between these two sources it seems hardly IIG possible that any taiiiily could fail to earn sonietliinii; mure than a mere living. But, the factory, being common property, should be con- sidered the public domain of the community. Every one should have the right of working in it, subject only to the rules adopted by the majority for its management. A board of competent officers should regulate the hours, and kinds of labor. This board should keep an account of the amount of daily work performed by each person — dispose of the commo- dities manufactured — purchase whatever raw materials are necessary, and at the end of every quarter render a public ac- count, duly audited, of the financial condition of the village. At the end of every year, a ^J»r6> rata distribution of the nett earnings of the workmen should he made, according to the work performed by each. If deemed more expedient, this di- vision of profits might be made at the end of every quarter, or six months. But, whenever made, a government agent should be present to assist in auditing the accounts, and to ascertain, so as to be able to report knowingly, the exact condition of aifairs of the village. Placed in such circumstances as these, and surrounded by his family, almost every invalid would be able to earn more than the amount of the pension relinquished by him. Cer- tainly, he would find himself in a far more independent posi- tion, than could be the case in any other community, where he would have nothing but his pension to support him, with expenditures for house-rent, and provisions, to consume this amount twice over. Living rent free — his little farm giving him his daily bread, and, in case of physical incapacity, his children working in the factor}-, to assist in the general acqui- sitions of the family, it can not be doubted that to Americans^ this field would present those inducements to labor, and those 117 promises of self-support and honest indepeiidence, Avliich are the most stirring incentives to Innnan industry. With an in- telligent and adventurous population like our own to operate with, the experiment is certainly worth trying. PEOPOSITIOX SEVEX^TII. Is the Prussian Versorgungscficin — or pric'deijc to Jill vacan- cies occuring in subordinate government offices^ on surrend- ering the ijension already held — jjracticaljle with us f It heing understood that the incumhency shall he for life, or during good behavior . There are hundreds of subordinate government offices which might be filled by invalids, with credit to themselves and ac- ceptance to the country. These offices are scattered through- out the various States, and might be filled by tliose living at their own homes. The advantage fioAving from this feature of the rpiestion can not be over estimated, since, as we have before shown, home is always the best place for invalids, and every measure taken in their behalf should, as far as possible, look towards keeping them there. In conjunction, therefore, with communities, the government might bestow offices upon the oldest and most meritorious invalids, which should be for life, or during good behavior. Tliere seems no good reason wdiy offices, which are now given as rcw^ards to partizans, should not hereafter be given to those who, instead of a claim upon a political party only, have one upon the whole coun- try. The superior right is certainly vested in this latter class, and nothing could be more honorable than to provide for invalids in this way. It is a system which has been found to work well elsewhere, not only as a means of relieving the invalid, but also of diminishing the expenses of the Pension 118 Bureau ; fur, since the goveriiineiit nmst have employees in its various departments, it is far cheaper that it should accept those who, in receiving an appointment, relinquish their pen- sions, than to pay both employees and pensioners an annual stipend. In the one case it employs a man to whom it owes nothing, and rewards him equitably ; in the other ease it employs a man to whom it owes a yearly pension, but who nevertheless is willing to exchange this claim for that of a hired laborer. The whole pension is therefore clearly gained by the government under such an arrangement ; and when the hundreds or thousands of offices which can thus be filled are considered, the aggregate sum that would be saved to the country, annually, becomes immense. It is not saying too much to assert, that there are 10,000 such offices within the gift of the federal authorities, and rating them at the lowest grade of pensions (|96 per annum), the aggregate sum saved reaches the amount of $960,000, or nearly a million annually. This view of the matter certainly lends to the proposition a practical complexion, which shoidd recommend it to the gene- ral acceptance of the country, and the few inconse(iuential ob- jections which we have heard alleged against it, as, for exam- ple, that it would create an army of political proletaries, inter- ested in the perpetuit}^ of an administration, fall to the ground before the fact that these are life-qfjices, from which the invalid cannot be ousted so long as he continues competent and be- haves himself well. Again, invalids, in accepting these places, are, of course, selected on account of their disabilit}', and not because belonging to this or that political party, and it will onl}^ l)e an accident that they enter into such offices during the incumbency of any jmrty ^vitli which they may, in times past, have been politically associated. I>ut, as all these offices cannot be at once, or simultaneously tilled, in- 119 valids will have to wait for vacancies, aud these may not occur for years, so that political parties may entirely change ere a man's turn comes around. Another feature which nnist wholly negative this criticism, is that of the form under which the promise of office is to be made. It should not be verbal, nor dependent upon changing moods or caprices of favor — mere spasms of sentiment — in an appointing power, but should be fixed and immutable, an obli- gation transmitted from year to year, and which none could repudiate. In the first place, the oldest iu\'alids should have the prefer- ence given them in appointments of this kind, as well in justice to them as to their successors ; for, were young men to be selected, vacancies would not, in the natural course of events, happen often enough to afford any chance to others as a class. Therefore no men under sixty should be permitted to compete for these places, and the method of appointment might be as follows : On the recommendation of the public authorities of the invalid's place of residence, certifying to his character and competency, the head of the department in which he seeks to obtain an appointment should issue a ticket to him bearing a certain number, and certifying that when the next highest number has held the office, or died, or l)een disposed of in any other way, the candidate holding the succeeding number should, of right, receive the place, provided, always, his com- petency and meritoriousness still continue — facts which must aijain be certified to as before. 120 PROPOSITION EIGHTH. ^1 SoUIutk'' Lidddi'lal ExcJianyc ishouhl he edahlished in every large city, the ofjject and j)urjjoses of lohich should he to fur- nish facilit'ies, for such of them, as may he able to worlc, to hec'*i" ("Lnss. which disable / vate for active field service, and\ for earning his living / 147 The following is the Tahle of Injii'mities as classified under Articles 12, 14, 17, Section II., Title II. rojectilc or foreign body driven by it into the parts. r>0. — Cold abscesses, caused l)y disease of the bones. Gl. — Aneurisms affecting the principal arteries in either the upper or lov/er limbs. PKUSSIA. Prussia is, perhaps, the most completely military of all the continental nations, and in that sense furnishes a good parallel for comparison with France. It is safe to assert that every able-bodied man has, at some period of his life, been in the active service of the State, wdiile all beyond the age for field service are still inscribed upon the rolls of the Landv/ehr, and included within some of its classes, up to sixty years. Per- sonal service to the State being thns exacted from every citi- zen, whatever his rank or degree in society, there follows a prestige to the military class which enables it to claim large gratuities from the pension fund. And inasmuch as ofhcers' salaries are extremely small, proportionally to those of con- tiguous countries, some return seems to have been made to them, in the larger pensions granted iwo rata, as compared with other armies, and the privates of their own. How far caste-privilege has infected the legislation of this subject, it is impossible to say. There is negative evidence that it has weighed in the allotment of pensions, since, on no other sup- position, can wo account for the great disparity in their amount 152 when compared with France, or the most striking miiiimmu of support accorded to soldiers in distinction from officers. Frederick tlie Great's famous saying, that " We must take care of our okl friends, the okl soldiers," does not appear to have been literally followed by his successors. The pittance given the crippled or blind Prussian soldier, amounting in the maximum to eighty-four thalers, or about sixty dollars and forty-eight cents per annum, is not sufficient to support him out of an asylum, and he becomes almost, if not quite, a pau- per, being driven to ask assistance from the parish in which he resides. That this is unjust to the soldier admits of no doubt ; and the question that naturally arises, is that of the cause wliich has produced this neglect of his interests. If it 1)0 not the result of caste-prerogative favoring the officer, to what else can it be due ? By referring to the ijension funds of France and Prussia, we find that while in the former offi- cers constitute one-fifth of the whole number of pensioners, they receive only 15.33 of the fund, while in the latter country, where they constitute but one-sixth of the whole nundjer, they receive 25.30 of the fund. Here are two great military powers, side by side, acknowledging their gratitude for personal ser- vices rendered by citizens, the one by an extreme minimum of gratuity to soldiers, and a large benefice to officers, or basing it upon rank alone, the other making a more nearly equal dis- tribution of its rewards according to rank and merit combined. By examining in detail the elaborate report of Hon. Theo- dore S. Fay, our minister at Berlin, together with Mr. Perkins's summary, and the tabulated scale of French pensions, with its accompanying sununary, from the same gentleman,* we shall * Sec Sanitary Commission Doc. 07, i\Ir. Pevkins'R Eeport on ilio Pension Systems of Europe. 153 be better able to iiiiderstaiid the coiii})arative merits of tlie systems of botli countries, and to perceive that so far as Prussia is concerned, there is nothing in iier pension legishition wliich we can with safety imitate. ijSrSTEUCTIONS FOR MILITAEY SUEGEONS IN EELATIOX TO THE DISABILITY OF SOLDIEES m THE FIELD, OE DISCHAEGED, WHO AEE ENTITLED TO A PENSION.* § 35. — Oil t/ie detei'minaiion of effectiveness and non-effec- tiveness in soldiers. Soldiers hi service who become uniit for active duty, in con- sequence of wounds or bodily iniirmities, are divided into two classes, viz : a. Such as are entitled to pensions. h. Such as are not entitled to pensions. In judging of those not entitled to a pension, it must bo considered whether the wound or infirmity disabling them, is permanent or transitory, in which latter case they are to be considered as only temporarily unfit. In case of permanent disability, however, the man may l)e unfit only for field service, or at the same time for garrison duty, /. «ra7ysi'* of limbs, or disease of mind or hody, are unfitted for any business, and require the constant assistance of another person. The injuries for which perso9}s shall be assigned to this class are the following, vis : 1st. Entire loss of sight, from whatever cause arising. 2d. All injuries of the head or spine giving rise to incurable diseases. 3d. Deaf-dumbness resulting from any traumatic lesion. 4:th. Injuries of the upper jaw, with extensive loss of l)Ouy and fleshy parts ; or of the bones of the nose or palate, occa- sioning an impediment to mastication, swallowing, or speech. 5th. Incural)le contractions, or anchylosis of the large artic- ulations. 160 Qth. Loss or complete paralysis of two legs from tlie above cause. 7th. Loss or complete paralysis of one arm and leg from the same cause. %th. Artiiicial anus, stercoral listulas. Mh. Loss or complete paralysis of all the fingers, or loss of five fingers, including the tlnunb and index-finger of each hand. I'o the second class helong tJiose lolio have lost one of the large liinhs, or ivho have lost its use through faralysis ; also, those vjho, in consequence of wounds, are either deformed or disfigured ; or in conseguence of serious injuries of either internal or external organs have contracted incwrahle diseases. Injuries for which persons shall be assigned to the second class are the following, viz : \st. Penetrating wounds of the head, neck, chest, or al)- domen ; also, the same description of wounds received in the upper part of the face, although they may have left no serious consequences. 2r7. Lijuries of the head, involving either fracture of the skull, fissure and contra-fissure, or diastasis of sutures. 3c7. Loss of sight of one eye, accompanied by disease not destroying the sight of the other. ^th. Deafness arising from traumatic lesion. hth. Injuries of the upper jaw involving the 1)ones and car- tilage of the nose. ^th, Ozfena, resulting from injuries to the forehead or jaws; also, any injury to the nose, accompanied by putrid sores with constant discharge of fcetid matter. W). Injury of lower jaw, with extensive loss of bony and fleshy parts, impeding mastication and speech. Wi. Injury of lower or upper jaw, with loss of bony sub- stance, accompanied l)y disfigurement. 161 W}. Injury of neck, accompanied l)y stiffness and inal)ility to turn the head, 10th. Injury of pliarynx or (esopha(>;iis, producing- dyspliagia by (esophageal stricture or paralysis. 11?'/^. Injury of larynx or trachea, occasioning aphonia, tracheal fistula, or laryngeal or tracheal phthisis. I'ith. Injury of the chest, with fracture of sterniTm and ribs, though recovered from without leaving any serious conse- quences. IWi. All injuries of the chest, producing frequent li?emop- tyses, asthma, hydrothorax, chronic bronchitis, ])litliisis pul- monalis, aneurisms, palpitation — indicating dilatation of the heart — angina pectoris. IMh. Loss of one arm, or its paralysis produced by mnscu- cular contractions. lUh. Injury of right hand accompanied ])y paralysis ; also loss of all fingers, or any three of the right hand. 16^/^ Loss or paralysis of first finger of each hand produced l)y the same cause. \7th. Loss of six fingers, excluding the loss of thumb and first finger of each hand. 18M. Injuries of the abdomen producing ascites ; induration of deep-seated organs, or phthisis ; atrophy, marasmus, slow nervous fever, aneurism, irreducible hernias. l^th. Incontinence of urine. 20^A. Fistulas, whether simple or not, opening into the cavi- ty of the urethra. '2,lsL Incurable anal fistulas. 22^7. Fistulas opening into the cavity of organs, or of large articulations, and arising from caries in progress, 23fZ. Extensive loss of substance of limbs, accompanied hy obstruction of their use, or wasting. 21 162 24^A. Frequent oi^ciiiii*^ of avouikIb (necrosis, caries.) ''loth. Extensive deformity of chest or Lack, or incurable de- viation of body to either side. 2GM. Incuraljle curvature of the body. 2TM. False articuhitions. 28^/^ Sliortening of one limb, accompanied by lameness. 29if/<. Loss of one leo;, or its paralysis, produced l)y muscular contractions. 30^//. Loss of all the toes resulting from injuries to the feet. 31-s/. Suppurative fever, atrophy and consumption induced by wounds. 32fZ. Loss of one-third of the tongue, accompanied by diffi- culty in swallowing and speaking. 33c7. Licurable sores on the cheeks, tongue, palate and ton- sils, accompanied l)y impairment of the natural functions of these parts. 34^/^ Injury of left hand, accompanied l)y muscular con- traction of the fingers, or their paralysis. 35^/*. Loss of all, or only four lingers of left hand. ZUh. Injury of ankle, accompanied l)y partial anchylosis with lameness. ZWt. Injm-y of foot, with loss of os calcis, accompanied l»y lameness, or incapacity to stand on it. 38^/^. Loss of penis, with loss of power to urinate; or loss of penis with testicles; or loss of penis accompanied by an incurable disease of the testicles. To the third class helony those who, in consequence <)/' seHous injury of any impo7'tantpc(rt of the hody, are, evidently, omtch inconvenienced in the use of tJiat part, and also thoxe ndio^ 'in consequence (f nyjxnds, hare hccome inv(dided. Injuries for which persons shall l)e assigned to the third class, are the following, viz : 163 1st. Injuries of tlie licad, preveiitini;' tlie wearing of the liead-dress. 2d. Exfoliation of the external tal)le of the skull, or extensive loss of its substance in any part, from wounds or trephinini;:. 8r/. Purulent ophthalmia, with granulations. 4t^i. Loss of sight of one e}'e. 5th. Impairment of sight, produced hy any ineural)le dis- ease of the eyey. Cit/i. Lagophthalmia, hlepharo]»tosis, ectro])ion, entropion, coloboma. 7t/t. Fistula Lachrynudis. St/i. Epiphora. ^th. Loss of nose. lOt/i. Loss of ears, 11th. Loss of one ear, accompanied hy loss of hearing. 12th. Chronic purulent otori'hoea, accompanied by weak- ness of hearing, or its loss. 13th. Injury of lips, accompanied by extensive disfignration, or injury of lips with loss of several teeth, 14:th. Incural)le salivary fistula, 15th. Small, incurable iistula, wherever situated. lC}th. Shortening of arm, produced by loss of portir)n of Ixmes, or fractures. 17th. Loss, or paralysis of the iirst linger of the right hand. 18^, Loss, or paralysis of three lingers of left hand. 19th. Injury of foot, accompanied by paralysis of toes. 2()th. Loss of toes of one foot. 21.st. Incurable tremor of any part of the body. 22//. Loss, or incurable organic lesion of testicles. 2S(I. Injuries of any part of the body, such as large and feeble scars ; permanent swelling, impairing freedom of motion, or in- ca])acitating the party from wearing military accontrements. REPORT U. S. SANITARY COMMISSION SYSTEM ECONOMICAL RELIEF DISABLED SOLDIERS, AXD OX CERTAIN PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO OUR PRESENT PENSION LA^TS^S, BY JOHN ORDRONAUX, M. D., Prof, of Metl. Jiir.. Columbia College, N. Y.. and Assoriate Membor U. S. S. C. ' Conferet exsanguis quo aepnst bella soncctns? Qua; sedes erit emeritis ? qua; rura dabuntnr? Qua? noster veteranns aret, qnas mop.ma fessis?" Lncan. 1, 343. NEW YORK: SANFORD. HAREOUN .^ CO., TRTNTERS, G44 BROADAVAY 1864. H104 80 •% LBJa'lO «-/_ O I x^' **' \ A*^ /. ^°*n^. V ^-./ .^'% ^"-^ .A' -S' 0^ v* . » . *<• .*' 1^ • _r<:^^^«* *r \ i^ ° • « . V- ,-tq. V* * c^ ♦ ^^0^ ,-^0^