Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-01-09
ale Drrmont 4benit.
BRATT LIE BOROi
THURSDAY, JANUARY o, 1900.
"cRowD1No THE MoURNBRs."

"ChOWDlNt 1hOOhNbINc
Vermont is not exceeded, if indeed she is
equalled, by any State in the generous devotion
she has exhibited in providing for the welfare
and comfort of the troops she has sent into the
field. In the extra pay of seven dollars per
month to all her volunteers in the ample pro-
vision she has made for the relief of all their
families who need assistance and in the readi-
ness with which Der people have contributed
hospital supplies and such articles of clothing
g., as are nor furnished by government and
cannot be purchased ly soldiers in the service,
spirit has been manifested which does great
honor to both parties.
This is all as it should be; but appeals have
been made TO which we cannot so cheerfully re-
spond. We see by the Vermont Chronicle that
the Chaplain of the End Vermont Regiment
asks for contributions from the people of YER
mont for the purchase Of Chapel Tent, to the
mount of $500. Such tent would without
doNbt be of great service to regiment en-
camped for any considerable length of time in
any one place. 1t would be convenient for the
holding of religious services and for other reg
mental meetings. For aught we know ii is
eminently proper that each and every regiment
should be suppRed with such tent. The ques-
ton with us is, whether there is justice or pro-
priety in appealing to the people of this State
to contribute the necessary funds for that pur-
pose. In reply we are constrained to say that
we think there is neither justice nor propriety
in the appeal.
The people of Vermont, in common with
those of the other loyal States, are suffering in
their business to large extent on account of
this wicked rebellion Their incomes, never
large, are very materially reduced while their
necessary expenses of living are not perceptibly
diminished. Add to this the enormously in
creased taxation in the State and nation, and
the personal sacrifices they have made in pro-
viding for their friends who have enlisted, and
in contributing TO the health and comfort of the
troops and it will be seen that they are called
upon to bleed pretty freely, at least in the pock-
ct. On the other hand the officers of our
volunteer regiments, including the Chaplains
are generally paid much higher salaries than is
received by men OF equal general or profess
sional ability in the civil walks of life in this
State. We have no wish to institute compare
sons, but an examination into the matter will
demonstrate the correctness Of this statement
We think it safe TO assume also that the phi
Yates on an average in the several Vermont
Regiments, can, if they are so disposed, lay by
more money at the end Of a years service in
the army than they could have done had they
remained at home at their accustomed occupa-
tons. There is to be sure the dscomiorts and
risks to limb and life in the service to be en-
tered into the account. Many, probably the
majority of those enlisted would prefer TO re-
main at home on less pay did they not feel that
ther country demanded their services.
Comparisons are proverbally odious. 1t is
no pleasant task to institute them here and now
But when our business is measurably prostra-
ted when taxation is making such rapid and
gigantic strides, and when we are so frequently
called upon for legitimate and proper contribu-
tions-calls to which we shall always respond
with alacrity to the extent of our abity--it be-
comes us, as the dictate of the commonest pru-
dence, 10 enquire into the propriety and neces-
sity of the oil ject for whioe appeals are made.
Take the case of the Chapel Tent. Each man
in the regiments receives not less than $l3 per
month for his services in hard coin or its equiv
alent. besides his board and clothes. Probably
not one of these regiments has sent home $4,000
of their monthly earnings. This would leave
at least $4,000 to he expended mostly for arti-
cles of no very great necessity. A contribution
of t,celre ana ha!f cents per man would sup
ply each regiment with Chapel Tent. If the
men have not sufficient interest in the matter 20
make this small contribution for their own per-
sonal convenience, ii seems to US that no great
necessity for such a fixture exists, and that if
furnished for them it would not do sufficient
good to pay the cost.
These remarks may appear ungracious and
ill-timed, but it does seem TO US that there
should be some limit to the calls made upon our
Strengthened means for contributions for the
army.