, 1862-08-20

The needs of the time hare brought out
numerous forms Of charity and beneyolence
designed to aid those who give their srryices
to their country. Union defense committee
ari=c from 8 common spirit OF patriotism, aud
, Of charity in its broad sense Of love for our
fellow men. No one will question theamount
Of good done through these channels
The lazest form Of this charity, aud By no
means an insignificant work, has been started
in this city Reference is made to the Bsnev
olent War Claim Association. A brief state
nent Of its objects and its plan OF operation
is nil that is needed to commend 1t TO those
who have at heart the welfare of our soldiers
and tEcir families. rs object is to aid the
sick or wounded soldiers, the widows and
heirs Of deceased soldiers, and all those who
have claims against the government arising
out Of actual military service, in obtaining
their dues from the government. It is 8 well
known fact that q large majority Of the per-
from the government, are ignorant Of the
mode Of obtaining it, and are compelled to
put their claims into the hands Of thuse who,
il Is fair to suppose, are governed BY inter-
estcd motives or desire only to make money
| for themselves out Of the business. In such
! csr.ents Of tie government bounty which they
| nc not able to pay- The business OF these
agents is a Legitimate one so long as no other
| chsnBel is provided tt. .augh which the money
can conc; but the Temptation to take unfair
! advantages OF the ignorance ana It Inc naces-
ei1ics Of this class ct persons proves, "a TOO
| many cases, Irresistible. Aud even when t.,ce
business Is conducted By honorable men, they
| Gre compelled to t1ake such charges IS are
i! serious burden upon their clients
1t Is 3 consideration that an association CON-
| posed Of persons whose we'll ikn0~n character
and public spirit would be guarantee to the
community that benevolent and patriotic mo-
tiyes alone Induced this organization, aud
| whose pEcuniary circumstances were such as
| would dispel all suspicion that any selfish pur-
| pose Of ga1n or Individual advantage had
| prompted the undertaking, would meet with
the entire confidence OF the soldiers and their
friends, and also Of the officers Of government
whose cooperation would thus be secured.
This association is conducted By the usual
officers Of president, secretary. treasurer, an
By board Of seven directors. Tue secretary
t5ansacts the business Of collecting the claims
Of soldiers and seamen for bounties, pensions,
and a1reas Of deceased soldiers, and this Il
done under the direction and supervision Q!
afforded TO the claimant that his money viii
be paid over on its receipt from the govern
nieDt, by the fact that the executive officers
| the Eecretary and Treasurer, are supervised hy
fselect committee whose special function it il
to look to this, and by the further fact thu
cers for q faithful discharge Of their duties.
. The claimant will be charged only such
epm for obtaining his money as will be suH1
! cient to dedray the actual cost, as the bushes
will be large, the fee in each case will be but
, ! tIife- Ten per cent is IN invariably the min
, imum charge now made BY claim agents
More often the fees ara much larger, and, i
) case of contingent fees, the recipients of tn
, bounties get for their share whatever the CT
pidity Of the agent may allow In the division
Of the spons.