Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 December 1894 — THE SOLDIERS' HOMES. [ARTICLE]

THE SOLDIERS' HOMES.

The report of the board of managers ol soldiers’ homes shows that the whole number of soldiers cared for in the National and State homes during the yea: was 35,564, During the year, the report says, on account of the great number ol applicants for admission to these institutions, it became necessary to suspend admissions, and this caused great distress. The men not admitted, although entitled thereto, must in general be eared for by the charity of Grand Army posts or charitable institutions of the.cities where they are stranded. There are only two branches which can economically and properly be enlarged—the one at Marion, Ind., and the other in California. An alternative proposition suggested is the establishment of another branch home in some centra) place.

The annual cost of the maintenance ol each'man at the homes was 512?. 45. a decreaso/frnmthepre.vioiis year of 513.50. The deaths were 1.050, an Increase of twenty. Every year the original admissions to the various homes more than make up the losses by discharges and death. There are now 1,000.000 persons living, who, if they become non-support-able, will be entitled to admission to the national homes. >-