The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-06-22
COMMUNICATION.
Spectator. In soldiers Certificates.

10 the Editor Of the Union:
SIR; paper, which has recently sprung into exist
ence III this city-of whose circulation know moth
ns and OF whose influence expect lessallowed itself,
In It's Saturdays number, TO become the organ OF the
most senseessy stupid malcously wicked attempt at
deuacnon OF the Commissioner of Pensions, which, in
all the abuse frequently heaped upon public officers
for the they discharge their official duties has
ever falen under my observation.
The wrter-who, most probably, has dug pit for him
self, and fallen into it, in the purchase of soldiers claims
pours out the walls of his wrath upon the Commissioner
Tor deciding, as he decided that soldier who
discharged from the army prior to the expiration of his
term OF enlistment, is not entitled to gatuity under the
act OF February H. 1917 notwithstanding he may have
become disabled in the line of his duty The writer Of
this, IRON opportunities which he has had of knowing
the course of action upon this subject does not hesitate
to state that the remark upon which he is commenting
is utterly groundless, and, most probably, malicously
| false.
The law under which the claims to bounty land and
scrip are set up, restricts its gatutes such soldiers
out their terms of enlistment discharged Sin
Of wounds received or sickness incurred
the course OF the service" by which disability the Com
missioner understands, every of under
stands, disability contracted not only while the soldier
belonged TO the army, but while he sin the line of
his duty and upon these principles, his decisions have
invariably been founded the consequence of which is,
that many soldiers who had served but small portion
of the term for which they enlisted have already received
their land warrants and treasury scrip.
But the point which shows that the writer's wthers
are not unwrung, is the doloreus complaint that, in
divers instances, patches of claims which have been
purchased up before they allowed have not been
adjusted to his liking That this is true is extremely
probable; and that is not true TO still greater extent,
much to be regretted The purchase of these claims
while IN allegiance palpabe violation of law and it
will be well for the greedy speculator who sezes upon
the necessities OF war-worn soldier to fitch IRON him
bounty provided by his government, if he does not find
himself verifying the fable of the dog upon the bridge,
who, in graspng at what he thought he saw, let go of
that which he had, and lost all 1t were well for the
soldier to know that the law which made for his
benefit, IN providing that all sales, mortgages, powers,
or other instruments OF writing, going TO affect the title or
claim to any such bounty right made executed prior
TO e issue Of such acarrdt Certificate shall be NULL
and to all ntens and purposes whatsoever" intend
ed eiectually to guard him against the very mposons
which are attempted upon him; and that this law
mW protect him. in any event. if he seeks refuge under
It, The Commissioner, therefore, has not gone too far,
maugre the writer's maedctions, when he has informed
soldiers, agents. and SPECTATORS that these claims until
allowed and evidence thereof is issued, not assign
| able
The writer, however, to have his hopes some
what stimulated with the dea that as Gen Coombs had
taken the matter in hand and about to call upon the
President in reference to it, things would be made to
work to his liking We would not wilfully disturb his
anticpatlons; but knowing the general is not exactly in
the habit of successfully playing the ambassador" it
would not strike very strange if things to
main just about as he found them.
| 10 enable the soldier, however, to understand his
rights, and shield him from imposition respectfully
ask you TO append to this article the section of the law,
herewith attached, which makes the provision to which
| reference is had. f..
Copy Of The 9 section Of the act Of february IL. lst7 emit
Ned ''dn act to tor HWtted QUdl lOndl
military force and for other purposes"
SEC. g. Ind be ii further enacted That each
mssoned officer, musician, private, enlisted to be
listed in the regular army regularly mustered in any
volunteer company, for period of not less than twelve
months, who has served may during the present
with Mexico, and who shall receive honorable dis
charge who shall have been killed died of wounds
received sickness incurred in the of such SERVICE
who shall have been discharged before the expiration
his of in consequence of wounds received
sickness incurred in the of such SERVICE shall be
entitled TO receive certificate of from the War
Department for the quantity of one hundred and
and which be located by the warrantee his heirs
aw at any land Office of the United States, one body
and in conformity the legal subdivisions the public
lands upon any of the public lands in such district then
subject to private entry and upon the of such
certificate or warrant, with evidence of the loca-
ton thereof having been legally made, the General
Land Office, patent shall be issued therefor That in the
event of the death of any such commissioned officer
musician private, during SERVICE after his discharge
and before the issuing of certificate afore-
sad the said certificate shall be issued favor
and nure the benefit of his family relatives according
to the following rules: first to the widow and his chill
dren; second his father third, his mother And in the
of his children being minors, then the legally
ited guardian of such minor children SHALL in conjunction
with such OF the children, if any, may be of full age up
being duly authorized by the orphans other court
having probate jurisdiction have to sell and dispose
Of such certificate for the benefit inter-
ested And all Sales mortgages, powers, other
ments of writing, going to affect the title claim any
SUCH bounty right made executed the
such warrant certificate shall be null and void all
tents and purposes whatsoever shall such claim to
bounty right be in anywse affected by charged with,
subject the payment of any debt claim incurred by
the soldier prior the issuing of such certificate
Prorded That land warrant issued under the pro-
visions of this act shall be laid upon lands of the United
States which there shall be presumption right upon
which there shall be actual settlement and cuiva
ton: Provided, further, That every such non-commis
stoned officer, musician, and private who may be ent
lied, under the provisions of this act, certf
cate for hundred and sixty acres of land
shall be allowed the option receive such certificate or
warrant, treasury scrip for hundred dollars and
such Scrip whenever it preferred shall be issued by the
Secretary of the Treasury such person persons
would be authorized to receive such certificates
for lands said scrip bear interest six per
cent per annum payable scmi-annually redeemable at
the pleasure of the government. And that each private
non-commssioned officer, and musician, who shall have
been received into the service of the United States since the
commencement of the with Mexico, for less than
twelve months and shall have served for term or until
honoraby discharged, shall be entitled receive warrant
for forty of land, which may be subject private en-
try twenty-five dollars in scrip if preferred and the
of the death of such volunteer during his term of SER
vice. after honorable discharge but before the passage
Of this then the for such land, scrip shall
issue to the wife, child, children if there be any; and if
then TO the ather and if there be father then to
the mother of such deceased volunteer Provided That
nothing contained in this section shall be construed as to
give bounty lands such volunteers accepted into
service and discharged without being marched to the seat
of
CuRIovs BEAUTIFUL INoIDENT.-Over the pulpit in
the chapel West Point, of readers may per
haps have remarked stands fine alegorca picture from
the true-toife pencil of Weir. part of it represents
Ppace "a male nolrp hnld oI L.~r =.