Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 December 1886 — WASHINGTON. [ARTICLE]

WASHINGTON.

The report of the Board of Managers of the Nntionul Home for disabled Volunteer Soldiers, just made public, says that the average number of inmates during the last fiscal year was 8,040, iigainst 8,050 for the preceding ycnr, an increase of 11.15 per cent. This ratio of increase is said to be likely to continue for a decade to come. The survivors of the war are growing old; their disabilities arc Severer, and the number who are unable to support themselves is rapidly increasing. Notwithstanding the completion of the home at Leavenworth, Klin., there are yet many disabled and destitute soldiers cared for in almshouses. If Congress should provide for assisting in maintaining the soldiers in State homes, by authorizing the payment of one-half of the cost of their support, the necessity for building additional homes might be avoided, except in the case of that recommended (or the Pacific slope. The report says the home is gradually becoming n great hospital, and the necessity for additional ih< spifal accommodation is more urgent every year. The expenditure during the ytar was $1,000,700, anil the estimates for thfi next year ure $1,000,574. The Naval Board of Inspection which surveyed the United States steamer J nessee has reported that tho vessel cannot lie repaired within the statutory limit of '2O percent., and will have to be condemned. The total value of the exports of merchandise from the United States for the twelve months ended Nov. 50, 1880, were $705,320,237; same per od in 1885, $702,--100.540. The imports for the same period in 1880 were valued at $577,828,140; for 1885, $050,318,057. .. The maiu event of Christmas eve at Washington was a party given to their own and seventy other children by Secretary aud Mrs. Whitney, which -was attended hy a large number of representative adults.