Library Collections: Document: Full Text

But man, however much he may enjoy amusement and recreation, must have constant employment, suited to his physical strength and congenial to his tastes. The absence of such constant employment must be looked upon as a prime cause of restlessness, dissatisfaction, and acerbity of manners occasionally found in this Asylum. "An idle brain is the devil's workshop," and to prevent such idleness a series of light trades should be introduced. These might be graduated to the age and strength of the men. The results of their labors should be sold for their benefit. Those who have families could thus contribute 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 within 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.

Religious services are held every Sunday. A Protestant clergyman is employed for this purpose; and a Catholic priest has been engaged, who conducts the worship of his church twice a month. In addition to this, pews are rented for the use of the inmates in Rock Creek Church (Protestant Episcopal), and in a Catholic Church in Washington.

The Asylum derives its support principally from Congressional appropriations, although a small amount is obtained from other sources connected with the army. Thus, article 1333 Rev. Reg., orders that "The paymaster will deduct from the pay of all enlisted men twelve and a-half cents per month for the support of the Soldiers' Home, and also the amount of the authorized stoppages entered on the muster-roll, descriptive list, or certificate of discharge." Forfeitures, on account of desertion, are theoretically considered as being paid over to the account of the Home; but the practical operation of this rule is, that nothing virtually is paid over, as sutlers invariably have claims which absorb all such forfeitures. Article 1195 Rev. 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 commissary from the fund (hospital fund), and will be paid over to the treasurer of the Soldiers' Home by the Commissary 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 support of the Asylum, and the other sources of support are simply nominal.

Respectfully submitted,
(Signed,) LEWIS H. STEINER, San. Inspector U. S. S. C..

MASSACHUSETTS SOLDIERS' FUND.

Organization of the Massachusetts Soldiers' Fund. -- On the 27th of April, 1861, a committee of one hundred prominent citizens from various parts of the State met in the Senate Chamber at the State House in Boston, to consider what action should be taken in behalf of soldiers and the families of soldiers who 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 committee.

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 "Massachusetts 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 when the generous but temporary relief afforded 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 committee of one hundred, on the second Wednesday of July, October, 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 April 30, 1861. At these meetings, the special committee on applications for relief, submits a written report of the material facts of the cases examined, which, if accepted, is certified by a member 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.