Will Maupin's weekly. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1911-1912, May 24, 1912, Image 2
over the B. & O. That's a sensible conclusion. The Burlington is a Nebraska road, and affords accommodations to more Nebraskans than any other." For that reason its selection was wise and just. When it comes to favoring any railroads with patronage we'll insist that Nebraskans favor the railroads that are helping in the work of developing Nebraska. That's why we are. going to object whenever a bunch of Nebraskans overlook the Burlington, the Northwestern or the Union Pacific, and show favors to railroads that merely poke their noses across the border in order to find a terminal. This newspaper would advise the retail dealers in the smaller cities and towns of the state to quit "hollerin' " against the mail order houess so much and get busy telling the people through their local papers what they have to offer. If you will carefully watch the country newspapers and note the merchants who are using lib eral space and quoting prices, you will soon have a census of mer chants who are not worrying about the encroachments of Mont wardery Gum, or Rears, Sawbuck & Co. The mail order houses are built up on a foundation of printer's ink. The splendid country newspapers of Nebraska afford the retailers of Nebraska ample op portunity to meet the aforesaid mail order houses on their own ground. The local merchant or manufacturer who expects the local newspaper to keep pounding away on the "patronize home institu- tions" idea without helping the newspaper to keep up the fight; is going to be disappointed. "Will Maupin's Weekly is in possession of a letter commending its policy of advocating home patronage, written by a prominent manufacturer of Nebraska. The com munication is written on a letterhead lithographed . in St. Louis, and was enclosed in an envelope printed in the government printing office. BASE BALL PALAVER The fans should bear in mind that Mullenn ever pretended to be a shortstop. lie is making rank errors at the position, but the mere fact that he is trying his best to fill a position with which he is unfamiliar in order to help along ought to be to his credit. Mr. Palmer, late of Kawville, looms large upou the flinging horizon. Now, if one of our portsiders will come across we'll feel pretty good with such husky flingers as Messrs. Smith, Ilagerman, Doyle and Palmer. Monday, June 3, the editors of Nebraska will be the guests at Antelope park of Messrs. Despain and Holland. On Wednesday they will attend the Lincoln-St. Joseph contest at Antelope park us the guests of the Lincoln Commercial Club. Each editorial guest will be frisked at the entrance for brickbats and other specimens of dornicks. We are not going to take any chances of having our neatly sodded diamond all messed up by efforts to annihilate the umps. " , The shortstop position is still a source of worry, but we; are not going to despair until Berghammer gets a chance to show what he has. He hasn't had it yet, but what little we've seen of him inclines us to the belief that when his bum digit gets back to normal he'll be showing us some mighty fine imitations of a real short stopper. In the meanwhile, we'll not overlook any golden oppor tunity to snare a short fielder who is warranted all wool and three feet wide. Some of these days we are going to gather our merry pas timers about our knees and whisper into their auriculars that they don't exhibit enough seasoning in the coaching line. A little more pep, tobasco, ginger, allspice, cinnamon, Lea & Perrin's, or some thing equally good, would add much to the sum total. If our heart-to-heart talk fails to produce results we may don a uniform and get right out in full view of the public and show how it ought to be done. Ten Million of Skoo City was subject to a heavy discount while in Lincoln. The report that Ed Wood may be snared as an umps for this loop is too good to believe. There's no such luck as getting a Wood to replace a Kissane. Of course, President Johnson couldn't hack down, and he had to stand pat in the Cobb matter, but just the same a few more feats like that performed by Cobb and the too strenuous fan with the indecent language will be eliminated. Strange as it may ap pear to many, a ballplayer is human and entitled to at least a modicum of consideration. It seems strange that all this "rough stuff" on the part of visiting players is always pulled off in some other town than Lin coln. Only once do we recall anything approaching the "rough house" order here; and that was the day the umps fired so many of the Sioux City team off the grounds that Manager Towne had to put a couple of pitchers in the outfield. It may be that there's something in the air- at Omaha and Joetown that brings out the "rough stuff." We stop the press long enough to remark that the Antelopes are now seeing a bit the best pastiming at second they've seen since Lincoln got into the western loop. The mucus domestic! resteth not upon our Mr. Cole. A Washington, D: C, subscriber wants to know about Clyde Richmond. We confess that in our anxiety about one or two local conditions we've lost track of Clyde. We have no patience with, this "white hope" sort of rot, be cause we don't care whether the champion bruiser is a Caucasian or an Ethiopian. But we pick Flynn to put the kibosh on the Big Smoke on July 4. Why! Same old dope. A "comer" against a "goer;" a husky man who has yet to go the dissipation route against a husky man who has been on the route for a couple of years; the "pitcher that goes too often to the well." It proved out in the case of Corbett against Sullivan, in the case of Fitz simmons against Corbett, and in the case of Johnson against Jeffries. It is the immutable law. Carina for m1 AT Ji 2ry Gooirp MorrL? N DECORATION DAY thousands of men, women and children throughout the length and breadth of the land will gather In the various cemeteries and - lay garlands upon the vast rest ing places of the soldiers that have laid down their lives In defense of their country. In practically every city hosts of veterans of the Civil War will gather and hold reunions to speak of the past, the anger and passion deadened by the lapse of time, while at ten na tional homes more than 20,000 men will usher in the day thankful that the United States, of all nations, is a republic that is not ungrateful for services performed under its flag. The veterans of the various wars, notably the Civil and Spanish-American, who went through teas- wmmmi Tmm f ft J L the conflicts unscathed are con stantly in mind. There are the Grand Army of the Republic, Loyal Legion and Army and Navy Union, splendid organizations to which many of the officers and men who fought in the Civil War belong, while the veteran association of the Spanish-American War holds the membership of many who went through that struggle. In the national cemeteries here and there, and in other burial grounds, are stones that mark the pots where lie the remains - of those who participated in the con flicts, and each succeeding Decora tion Day their memory is kept alive by the floral offerings strewn upon their graves. But what about the veterans who returned from the front, torn by shot and shell, unable to resume their places in the ranks of the work ers, without means of self-support and unwilling to thrust themselves upon their kith and kinT At the close of the Civil War, when more than half a million men laid down their arms of war and. In a few months were transformed from soldiers to citizens, the question of what to 4o with those who were incapacitated arose. "Pensions are well enough in their way, but pensions are not sufficient," declared Congress. "We must do more," continued the members of both House and Senate. "We must establish a home for those who have no homes," and this sentiment crystallized into what is now one of the most important features with which the na tion deals. The National Home for disabled volunteer sol diers is located In the District of Columbia, There are branches of the National Home at Day ton, O.; Milwaukee, Wis.; Togus. Me.; Hampton, Va.; Leavenworth, Kan.; Santa Monica, Ca.; Marion, Ind.f Danville, 111.; Johnson City, Tenn., and Hot Springs, S. D. There are state homes for disabled volunteer soldiers provided by the states of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minne sota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hamp shire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota. Vermont. Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Some idea of the extent of the properties sup ported by the Federal government may be had tragi the last report of the board of managers. In which the acreage of the homes is set down as 6469. valued at $483,474.85. On this land are buildings aggregating a value of $10,513,648.42. To acquire this property, to maintain it and to care for the thousands of soldiers, the total out lay up to the close of 1911 has been in the neigh borh.iod of $90,000,000. When the first home was established, within the year, there were 910 veterans cared for. Ther. each succeeding year increased at the .rate of a most 1.000 per year until, in 1908, the great est number, 34,949, were taken care of. At the tarn time the - death rate among the veterans increased year by year, and from 10.95 per 1,000. in 1867, it has advanced to 85.60 per 1,000. Yet, when one takes into consideration the phy ileal condition of soldiers when admitted to the homes, and that it has been 47 yearn since the Civil War, the death rate is really low, for the average life of the old soldiers has been a trifl more than 70 years a ripe age for the ma jority of men. Indeed, this alone is a most not able tribute to the government for its excellent care of its wards. To visit one of these national homes is to have a treat, for nowhere will one find a more happy or contented set of men. Except for the differ ence in location and style of architecture of the buildings, all of the homes are similar, for they are operated on the plan of giving one and all the same. Some of the homes, like the one at Hampton, Va., are situated upon the banks of a stream, but then there is one in the mountains, another in the land of continual sunshine and flowers', California, while each possesea some natural characteristic to differ it from the other. That, however, is the immaterial side of the homes, for it is the comforts and conveniences afforded the inmates that draws the attention of visitors and sends them away filled with thoughts of kindliness and proud of being citizens of a nation that is so lavish in Its care of those who have upheld the honor of the flag in the face of the enemy. Amid parklike surroundings are the buildings, flanked with broad porches, on which are the settees, where, basking In the sun, may be found those old soldiers who are more content to re pose with pipe and paper than to Join their com rades beneath the trees or strolling around the grounds. First, and all important, is the military side of the home. Each inmate is always in uniform and army discipline prevails. All able-bodied men on the grounds salute their superior officers as they pass, and there are stated times for do ing stated things, bo that there must be abso lute order. At 5:30 in summer and 5:45 In winter the men turn out. After breakfast the ' men return to Shelr barracks, make up their beds and put their things in order. ' Then, unless assigned to duty as room orderly or on guard mount, at which all in the barracks have to take their turns, the sol dier is at liberty until tattoo at 8:30, when he must be on hand to retire when taps are. sounded at 9. - While at liberty during the day the soldier may leave the grounds by applying for a pass. He may secure a pass to remain outside the grounds not only for a day, but even for 90 days, If he so desires and his behavior has been good. There is but little restraint upon the men and they are practically as free as though they lived in their own homes. For those who prefer to remain within the grounds of the home there is much with which to drive away either discontent or ennui. Besides splendid libraries, where ma- p 'ound not only books and magazines, but c'-Uly rapers from dif ferent parts of the country, there is at each home an amusement hall where there are billiard and pool tables and many small tables for cards, checkers and dominoes. Another diversion is the band concert each afternoon. Another amusement. ?rrl an im portant one, Is the theater. Each of the homes is equipped with a hall large enough to seat prac tically every inmate ,ant at the end is a stage of ' generous size. Theatrical companies playing In nearby cities are engaged to give a "one-night stand" at the hall and the performance usually proves a great treat. In the seating of the veterans there Is system exercised, for the deaf and the dim-eyed are giv- en the first rows, then follow' those less afflicted, so that all are given equal advantages as far as it is possible to arrange. In the vast amount of work to be done at the homes the inmates take their part and thereby earn a little extra for themselves, for the gov ernment pays them according to what they can do. Some of the homes have farms attached on which the men do considerable of the . work. At other homes the men look after grounds, while at all of the homes there are those who act as guards or guides. , ' The money they receive for their work is all extra, for they receive their pensions Just the same, and they are at liberty to either spend their funds for luxuries at the commissary or send checks to their relatives. One great trouble that the commandants of the various homes have had has been the control of the soldiers who persist in patronizing the saloons that are to be found Just beyond , the gates, but. by vigilance, the old men are kept from getting into any trouble. When a soldier is stricken with illness he is sent to the hospital, where every possible attention Is given him. His diet is specially prepared to suit his needs and there is nothing too good for him. It might be added that the hospital Is always well occupied, for there are many who are failing in health and strength and are patiently waiting the setting of the sun. When the last day has come and the soldier has gone to Join his com rades on the other side his body is borne to the chapel, a minister of his religion says the last rites over him and then, in a casket borne upon a caisson and escorted by a squad of men under arms, accompanied by a fife and drum corps playing a dirge.' he is given full military honors, including the rattle of muskets over his grave. The cemeteries by the homes are growing each ' year, but every stone is a monument to a brave heart who gave his best years In order that the nation might endure. The Day of Memories Memorial customs, Introduced at the close or the Civil war, in compliance with plans made by Commander-in-Chief John A. Logan, will be ob served this year in thousands of cities, villages and hamlets, the surviving veterans still taking a leading part in the exercises. It is they who have made the arrangements for the ceremonies; they will go early to the ceme teries and place blossoms upon' the graves of their brother soldiers; they will constitute a pathetic and Inspiring feature of the parade. Some day they will not be here to plan and execute for Memorial day. Some day they all will have gone Into camp on the plains and in the cities of the dead. Some day a grateful public will look in vain for any of them In the parade. Then, what? Will the day and its beauti ful, patriotic customs that were so dear to them, cease to be remembered and observed? Were that question submitted to the people today It Is certain that the votes against remembrance and observance would be too few for enumeration. The soldiers have led the way; they have shown the people how to plan and execute for a suc cessful observance of the day. There have been not a few but thousands of deeply interested par ticipants. Ail of the patriotic societies that have grown out of the Civil war are among them, and their members are numbered by the tens of thou sands. Then there are the societies which have come into existence as a rsult of the revolutionary war, the war of 1812, the war with Mexico, the Spanish-American war and the Philippine insur rection. And these are not all. Millions of men and women who have come from the schools, and other millions of boys and girls now in the schools, , would forbid a suspension of Memorial day observances. Pass the word along the thinning ranks of every veteran parade In the country they served so well that the custom initiated by them and their sleep ing associates shall not be abandoned; that it shall be handed on from generation to generation ' Taking Their Measure. "Do those people who moved Into the flat across the hall seem to be desirable neighbors?" asked the man. "No," replied the woman. T watched every thing that came out of the moving van. They haven't a thing that we would care to borrow."