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EXECUTIVE DOCUMENTS.

The hospital at the home is a model of its kind, both in equipment and management, and it is a gratification to know that such ample facilities have been provided for the care of our veteran comrades whose health has been shattered in the nation's cause.

The trustees commend the officers of the home, for their zeal and ability in carrying out the purposes of the state, in making this institution in all respects a Home for the brave and patriotic men who seek its sheltering care.

Thanking you for your kindly interest in this institution, we are,

Respectfully yours,

W. P. ORR,

J. J. SULLIVAN,
J. L. CAMERON,

F. G. CROSS,

THOS. T. DILL,

Trustees.

COMMANDANT'S REPORT.

OHIO SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' HOME, Nov. 16, 1904.

The Board of Trustees of the Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Home:

GENTLEMEN :—-I have the honor to submit my annual report for the fiscal year ending November 15, 1904, with the accompanying reports of the officers of the Home. Your attention is respectfully called to these reports for full information as to the membership of the Home, the receipts and disbursements for the year, the operations of the hospital department, and the general details of the administration of the Home for the year.

I fully appreciate the uniform courtesy and kindness shown me by members of the Board of Trustees and make grateful acknowledgement of their assistance and co-operation in the administration of affairs of the Home.

The officers associated with me in the management of the Home have shown their fitness for the work required of them in their respective departments, and have rendered faithful and efficient service in every particular. Whatever of success there has been in the effort to advance the institution to a higher standard is in a large measure due to the efficiency and faithfulness of the officers and heads of departments associated with me in the work.

What is generally known throughout the circle of State Homes as the "pension question" has cut a very large figure in the Ohio Home since my incumbency as Commandant. Considerable agitation of this question was developed, which became so bitter as seriously to disturb the peace and comfort of the Home. After a test of the workings of the Congressional Act was made, and the members (not on the offenders' docket) learned that no part of their pensions would be withheld unless with their sanction, a better feeling has prevailed, and the law is now quite generally approved of, especially by the better element of the members. Since the adoption of the rule controlling the pensions of members, their discipline has improved, as the following statement will show:

Number of arrests during September and October 1903..
Number of arrests during September and October, 1904.

129

72

The proportion in November will be very much less than in the two previous months, there having been only two arrests thus far during the

present month, whereas: during the first half of November, 1903, there were 16 arrests, or an average of about one a day.

The con

The question of discipline has been found a serious one. duct of an institution of this character must obviously depend in no small degree upon the way in which the authority of the Commandant is recoginzed by the membership. No magisterial functions having been conferred upon him, the ultimate and almost only resource in asserting the rules, for the punishment of repeated offenses, is the discharge of the offender. In many cases, and especially in those growing out of the drink habit (which is the basis of almost all serious difficulty), the penalty must fall upon those most needing the shelter of the Home, and whose need is only increased by the weakness indicated. For this reason, discharge as a penalty for intoxication has been used reluctantly and as a last resort, and usually in cases disclosing viciousness, as well as weakness of character. From my own experience, supposing the care of needy veterans to be the prime object of an institution of this character, I can but believe this the true policy with which properly to conserve order and discipline.

Apart from the infelicities of the pension question, the portion of the year in which I have been in command, has been a pleasant and successful one.

The regular semi-annual inspection. and muster, by Major General N. M. Curtis, for and in behalf of the United States authorities, took place on September 2, 1904. The inspector expressed marked satisfaction with the appearance and management of the Home.

The cottages have been in such constant wearing use that they need considerable repairing each year. On several of them the mortar had gradually fallen out from between the layers of stone, and during storms the rain was driven in, and found its way through these openings onto the plastered walls and ceilings, causing defacement and serious injury. The work of rectifying this was begun early in the fall, and carried forward until cold weather stopped further operations for the season.

Much work has been done repairing roads. The lakes have been enlarged and improved. The floors in the basement of the Domestic building were greatly in need of repair. New cement floors have been laid wherever needed.

Considerable work has been done on the Administration building in replacing the pointing which had fallen out in many places on the front, causing the stones to become loose.

A new engine has been installed in the Electric lighting plant, furnishing much needed additional power for lighting purposes.

The greenhouses were very much in need of a coat of paint; the glass was removed and the frame painted, greatly improving its appearance.

The Home as originally constructed provided for a number of inmates which might possibly in time reach a maximum of 800, but having

now a roll of 1512, with over 1400 of them present for a portion of the winter is crowded to excess. Beds are put up wherever they can be pressed in. At the same time men are returning from furlough, while others whose applications for admission have been approved, are reporting, and every mail brings letters from or on behalf of men asking for application blanks. From the above statement you can readily perceive the need of additional cottages, and we should have two more erected as soon as it is possible for the General Assembly to appropriate the necessary funds.

I would respectfully suggest that you impress upon the next General Assembly the needs of a larger appropriation for general repairs, as there is certainly no economy in permitting such expensive buildings as ours to fall into decay when a moderate amount expended each year will preserve them for many years to come.

My sincere thanks are hereby tendered to your Honorable Board for your very cordial support, and for many valuable suggestions received. Very respectfully,

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ADJUTANT'S REPORT.

ADJUTANT'S OFFICE,

OHIO SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' HOME, November 16, 1904.

GENERAL J. W. R. CLINE, Commandant.

GENERAL:-I have the honor to make the following report from the records of this office for the year ending November 15, 1904:

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Average age of present membership, 66 years, 3 months and 7 days.
Average age of members who died during the year 70 years, 5 months and

12 days.

Average age of Spanish-American membership present, 41 years, 5 months and 6 days.

There are now 121 notices out for men to report for admission on approved applications.

There are 62 applications for admission now on file not reached by the Board of Trustees.

128 of the participants of the Spanish-American War have been admitted to the Home to this date, of this number 103, have been lost by discharge and death 25 remaining in our rolls.

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

J. D. WHEELER, Adjutant.

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