Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-12-19
Bounty Lands to soldiers.

II seems from the applications for bounty
lands under the law of the last session. and from the
tardy system adopted by the Pension Office that it will
require years to complete the calendar and that the
ends and objects of tbs law will be defeated by delay
To obviae this Mr.. Robinson of Indiana introduced
resolution. which adopted, providing for the ap-
pointment of committee investigate IKE whole mat
ter and to adopt system which will ensure the
speedy issue Of the warrants The Old Soldiers in
Indiana to Mr.. Robinson debt Of gratitude for his
prompt action. We copy his remarks entire with the
resolution which was adopted.
Resolred That a select committee Of members be
appointed, take into consideration the act granting
bounty lands to certain officers and soldiers who have
been engaged in the military service of the United
States, passed September 3, 1880. aud report
this house, by bill otherwise what further legislation,
1t aaysls necessary TO Its execution in
bl length OF time; whether the existing regulations
adopted by the Commissioner of Pensions in pursu.
of the spirit OF the law what length of time under
said regulations, it Will probably require the
same; whether additional force ought TO be en-
ployed; and in order TO the complete and f nvesqa.
ton OF the whale subject that they have power send
Tor persons and papers, il necessary.
Mr.. Robinson said that he would dcain the House but
few moments. Sncehs arrival in Washington, at the
commencement of the present session, being specially
interested and having number OF applications in his
charge he had taken the trouble investigate this mat.
ter TO extent and the conclusion which he had
arrived this that unless they egislatcd speedily
with reference to this subject there was probability
of the law Icing executed within any reasonable length
of time. There were. he had been informed, twenty
thousand applications now on file in the Pension Office
and of these twelve thirteen hundred have
been registered After they registered they have
be sent TO the Office of the Third Auditor that lie NAV
the rolls wether the declarations
pond with them. He had been informed by the ThirC
Auditor that the largest number which could be cxamln
ed in single day was sixteen eighteen. At thus
II would occupy four five years examine those
tle and according TO the Secretary Of the Interior
tenth of the applications have been fled and he
thinks that the entire number will reach hundred
and fifty thousand II was far from his purpose to cen
sure any officer who is charged with the execution 0
this law His object ascertain what difficulties
lie IN the path, in order thai they may be removed
soon possible. According 10 present circumstances
tine law coud be finally executed in ten or fiiteeI
years; and gentlemen might well repeal it at once
unless they provide the ways and remedy
ent difficulties. BY the time this law executed he
hoped TO see all who desire to settle provided with dona
tons of land He thought, however, that il the Houst
would raise the committee visit this bureau them
selves, they would be able to bring forward
remedy the evils of which he complained So far al
ditional force is concerned if the same regulation
which now exist shall continue, but very small numbe
Of clerks can be prohtaby employed as there bl
of rolls; and three clerks only
inc the same time. Tie copies ought be mntpli
cd that the examination may progress more rapidly.
There was another regulation which seemed to hin
to be improper and, if they could get rid of in
other manner, they must legslafe II away. solde
might e his declaration and the original certificate
discharge (stang particularly vet the regulation
qnired in the declaration should be compared with fh
roll; and this occasoned considerable unnecessary dc
lay. Prior to the Mexican Bounty Land Law this reg
uation did not exist What better evidence want
inc than the original certificate tsef2 Why 90 back
the rolisl
Another regulation has been adopted which will Gu
off most meritorious class OF persons who otherwis
would be benefited by this law. The Secretary of tn
Interior has made regulation requiring that where
vice was performed subsequent TO 1870, and prior {
1872 the applicant provo his service by credb
Witnesses therefore, the old soldiers who served undo
) Wayne, St Clair, and Harmer, would get nothing.
not in five OF them could be found this broa
land to give the required proof He had dozen sue
eases HIMSELF where men who doubtless performed mil
tary service under General jackson, could not, in s
gle instance, procure living proof. He would take III
oath of the soldier HIMSELF accompanied by proof as
his eredibty; aud this is all he would require He
planned that three months will have elapsed before ii
execution Of the Bounty Land Law will commence.