Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-11-19

the Colonel, 1t Colonel and Major of each Regiment
They possess the power TO appoint or remove. They
possess the power of calling upon the Sutler furnish
his bills of goods and prices with incidental costs
and charges and then they possess the additional
power Of fixing the Suffers prices beyond which he
cannot sell, he foreits his right TO collect lis debts
at the Paymaster's table. In the case Of Mr.. Kent
they called for the bills of goods. They were fur
nlshed and presume that if Mr.. Kent overcharged
the per cenum allowed by the rules and regulations
OF the army, that complaints would have been made
to the Reglmental officers, who would, as guardians
of the rights of tie Suffers and volunteers have fixed
the prices at the proper rates Capt. Kinder says
his letter that pay day comes this week." and init
mates glorious times for tie Suffers. Now this letter
must have been written early in September and paw
day Lad notyet come, up to the 10Th October Who
furnishes goods TO the poor rrHteers many of whom
have no money to buy / answer, the detesiable
Sutler, and that too at tine same rates # they paid
cash in hand. This is a matter provided for by the
rules and regulations Of the army. Who furnishes
credit, the soldier witt. blankets keep him warm
and protect him from rain and the cold ground The
detestable Suffer- Who furnishes tie poor soldier
shoes and boots to protect his feet from the hard
tough weeds and The thorns of the ehsppeTal, aud
waits for his pay until pay day! The detestable
Sutler. Who furnishes tie necessaries 10 tie poor
sick soldier in his tent (unless he chooses TO TO the
hospitaD and takes his pay when he get it from
the Government! The Sutler. | shall not
pursue this matter further. | feel conscious that
have not degraded myself by selling to the soldier
any thing to eat or TO wear !; nor am | conscious of
having wronged one of them out of cent If
so, let the man speak out; let the charge be made
will meet it. On the contrary, lave administered
to them when sick l have loaned them money
have given TO several, small items which could not
charge for; | have furnished the money to convey
several of them $500 miles home when they could
draw money, and had not solitary dime,--foE
all of which and trouble never expect intend
to receive one cent. If complaints loud in the
| army, never heard them there. Why did not the
officers unite TO put down MIR. Kent and myself |!
Why were the soldiers coming in every day and ac-
knowledging in writing the justice OF their accounts,
without which, positive proof, the Suffer cannot
demand at the pay table one cent answer, because
| they generally honest men. They know prices
were very high compared with the prices here, yet
they know that Suffers are compelled to sell them
high and they he soldiers) bought them voluntarily
and willing pay. All this matter have talked
over with them a dozen times more. Why does
the soldier deal with the Sutler at all The law does
not compel him. If he has money credit he can
buy where he pleases. There is 10 compulson about
this matter.
| am aware that the srhisky attack is made Ia ope-
rate upon the feelings Of the religious community.
assure you that the sale of spirits, Except some
brandy for the sick, drawn surgeons ceriifcaie)
did not continue 10 days, and that contrary to
my wish nor the quantity have mentioned.
| My course upon groceries was known years ago,
whilst member of the Senate, and adhere to them
yet and shall continue adhere my former opin-
| ions, as my humble influence will prove during tie
time that may be concerned with the legislation Of
the country. | also apprized that the sympathies
of the public justly enlisted in favor of the voun-
teers, and that attack upon man for impositons
practised upon them be more successfully made
| than in any other way. Nevertheless | neither
to be inundated by the violence of the attack or
courted into any admission not true, by fattery
persuasion feel conscious of having acted properly
towards the men of the army and others with whom
| have had business 10 transact. therefore ask
thing Of those political editors of papers in which
attacks have been made upon me, but TO cease any
further attack until can have opportunity of being
heard and TO publish this my defence, much as
they may deem proper. And | ask of an enlightened
and Just public, amongst whom | have been raised,
and who have conferred many honors upon me, to
pend any opinion until can be heard If upon fail
hearing of both sides do stand acquitted. then
whatever Of public censure or Indignation ought t.
be meted out to me, will cheerfully bear. cannot
close without making this. my public acknowledge
ment, to those of my friends who have had courage
enough TO ask for fair hearing. l am sorry
have been compelled matter of necessity to spin
out this communication to so great length. could
not G6ridge it much and do myself justice.
PARIS c. DUNNING.
BLOOMINGTON Nov. A, 1916.