SANITARY REGULATIONS.

There has been no change since last report. The men are required to bathe regularly and the sewers are constantly cleaned and every precaution taken to guard against disease.

With permission received from the president of the Board of Managers I propose to enlarge and readjust our sewers during the present season as far as our meaus will allow. Some difficulty has been experienced during the past year in keeping the sewers in proper condition and the enlargement of the same will soon become a ne. cessity. I deem it wise to make a beginning in this direction.

RELIGION AND SOCIETIES.

The religious services during the year have been largely attended and considerable interest has been manifested. The value of these services can not be overestimated in the effects on the lives and conduct of the members who are interested in them. Rev. Peter C. Bradley has faithfully served his people of the Catholic faith, and his work is heartily appreciated.

The following Protestant clergymen have officiated during the past year, viz: Rev. R. W. Jenkins, Orthodox; Rev. Allen E. Beeman, Episcopal; Rev. T. F. Jones, Methodist; Rev. R. A. Griffin, Unitarian.

Cutler Post, 48, department of Maine, Grand Army of the Republic, is the only society, and has a membership of 215, all in good standing.

Rev. Peter C. Bradley, Catholic chaplain, reports as follows:

"I have the honor to submit the following report as chaplain of the Eastern Branch, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1890.

"Catholic services were held on every Sunday and on all the Holy days throughout the year. The attendance was always large, and consequently very encouraging. "The sacrament of penance was administered on Saturdays. communions given this year, about twelve hundred.

The number of

"It affords me great pleasure to here acknowledge the uniform kindness which I have received from all the officers in the discharge of my duties."

Rev. R. W. Jenkins, Protestant chaplain (Orthodox), reports as follows:

"I have the honor to submit the following report of my work as one of the chaplains of the Eastern Branch, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, during the year ending June 30, 1890.

"In connection with other Protestant clergymen I have held religious services and preached at the chapel at 3 p. m. These services have been held every Sunday afternoon through the year. The attendance has been very good.: The men have earnestly participated in the responsive readings and in the singing.

"Several of the members of the Home have spoken to me of the comfort and inspiration derived from the ministrations of the different clergymen. At times I have used paintings to illustrate the sermons.

"Prayer meetings were held in the chapel twice a week for a few months.

"On two or three occasions I have made a general visitation of the hospital, going through all the wards and speaking to every patient.

"Special calls have been made on individuals whenever requested, and on a few without invitation, whom I thought needed attention.

"I have officiated at twelve funerals during the year. On such occasions it is my practice to read the Scriptures, speak a few words of comfort, and offer prayer. These duties have also been performed by the other clergymen associated with me in the chaplaincy as occasion demanded. I testify with pleasure to the uniform courtesy and kindness of all the officers of the Home in their treatment of me and their valuable assistance in the discharge of my duties."

ANNUAL REPORT OF SOUTHERN BRANCH, NATIONAL HOME FOR DISABLED VOLUNTEER SOLDIERS FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1890.

GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report of this branch for the year ending June 30, 1890, and invite attention to the following tabulated reports from the several departments, all of which have been carefully compiled.

In my last annual report I called attention to the crowded condition of the Home, and asked that an appropriation be recommended for the erection of a new barrack. As no appropriation has been made for this purpose, I have to renew my request therefor. Under the provisions of the new pension law, I anticipate a large influx of applicants for membership to the Home from those apprehending that such membership will enhance their claims of disability and greatly aid in the pros ecution. Aside from this element, the natural increase to be expected for several future years, renders additional barrack room of the highest importance.

BREAKWATER.

My recommendation for extension and enlargement of breakwater and wharf having been favorably considered and appropriations for their construction made by Congress, the work on both will begin at the earliest possible date.

NEW DINING HALL.

Under the head of recommendations for needed construction, in my last report, attention was invited to the urgent necessity of a new dining hall capable of accommodating at two sittings all the members of the Home. The sum of $25,000 was asked for this building. Nine thousand dollars was formerly appropriated for the enlargement of the present contracted and unsuitable dining hall, which sum remains unexpended, it having been decided much better to use it on the proposed At the time of making this report, the appropriation asked of the Congress now in session is still pending consideration and action. This, if allowed, as we anxiously expect, will enable the work of construction to begin during the present year.

new one.

PASS SYSTEM, AND SALE OE BEER IN THE HOME.

The system of daily passes during the past year has not differed materially from that of the several preceding. Six hundred and sixty. eight enjoy the meritorious privilege of standing passes, and 219 is the average number of weekly passes issued to those who obtain light jobs of work outside the Home, while the number of dailies is rarely less than 250.

The records of the provost sergeant's office show conclusively that on the days when no passes are issued (which for good reasons occasionally occur), the cases of drunkenness and consequent number of confinements in guard house are very much smaller than otherwise obtains, and this leads to an explanation of the causes.

The nationality character of this Home is, in the main, threefold, viz:

The foreign element thus comprises about two-thirds of the entire membership. These men, particularly the Germans, are great beer drinkers, accustomed to its liberal use from childhood, and to be deprived of it would cause widespread complaint and disaffection. Taking this and other views of the subject, some ten years ago the sale of beer, under proper restrictions and safeguards, was authorized and introduced in the Home, and has continued to the present.

Realizing the fact that a divided sentiment prevails in the minds of the public, touching the propriety of the sale of beer at the National Homes, I deem it proper and expedient at this time to show, both from observation and official records, some of the leading reasons why the Home interests can best be subserved by a continuance of such sales.

(1) In the interests of discipline and good order, in which every person connected with the Home is concerned and affected. Under the order from this office governing the sales to individuals, a maximum quantity is established; and those known to be unable to use the bev erage without injury to themselves and annoyance to others, are prohibited from entering the saloon; thus intoxication is absolutely prevented.

(2) The records prove that nearly every case of guardhouse confine. ment and flagrant violations of Home rules, is the consequence of whisky drinking in the saloons outside and within short distance of the Home.

(3) A large percentage of the members rarely ever leave the Home grounds; never apply for "passes." Now if this class of sober, quiet, good men should be deprived the privilege and convenience of the Home saloon, they would seek the resorts elsewhere, and unrestrained or unrestricted, the result would be either excessive beer or whisky drinking, and the various offenses and misdemeanors would soon follow. The greater part of them would be transformed from peaceable, respectful, and rule-observing members, to those of an entirely opposite class and character.

(4) To further illustrate this point: A few years since, at a time when our contract for beer was with Baltimore parties, by reason of a great storm endangering commerce by water the Baltimore boats were compelled to "lay up." During this period the supply of beer at the Home became exhausted, and the saloon was closed. The result was that the members were forced to obtain their favorite beverage outside the