Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-03-06
REPORT OF The ALLOTMENT
COMMISSION.


srnor OF The State of Vermont
On the 26,h day OF December last We were
.omo;ss;oned by your Excellency to visit
the camps of the Vermont Volunteers near
Washington, and explain to the soldiers the
Allotment System, 10 enatle and induce them
10 avail themselves of its benefits. We ac-
oep,ed This commission previous to the law OF
Congress, since passed, authorizing the Pres
dent to appoint three Commissioners from
Zach State 10 attend to these duties, And
benp furnished by The State Sreasurer with
the necessary blank forms 10 be used by the
soldiers IN carrying out the provisions OF the
Stale law, for their and in transmitting por-
,ions OF their pay TO their families, and as
.;,uees," approved Nov. 20, 1851, we pro-
ceeded to Washington, and made necessary
arrangements with the Departments to sgive
yrester efficacy 10 our State law, in its ope-
ration with the provisi ns OF the Allotment
Act of the u. s. This we deemed a matter
of great Importance, as to secure the practi-
cal, and beneficial working of the whole sys-
tenn, il is very essential that the t'co should
harmonize in all their parts, and that the
disposition OF the money transmitted to friends
should be accomplished with promptness, and
certainty. Before these duties had been full
" performed the act of Congress alluded to
was passed, and the President appointed on
the recommendation of the Vermont members
of Congress, the three commissioners for our
State, John b. Page, Joseph Poland and
John Howe, Jr. to whom commissions were
issred, and who at once proceeded to the
discharge of their duties, thus uniting IN the
commission the functions OF the two State
and the three U. s. Commissioners " hose
report is herewith annexed.
The State law alluded to is as follows:
An act for the aid of Vermont Volun-
teers in transmitting portions OF their pay to
their families and assignees," thereby enact
ing.
SIC. /. The Treasurer OF the State is
hereby authorized and required, to act as
Depository and distributor Of the funds which
the Vermont Volunteers serving the United
States, may desire to send into the State I'M
der the allotment system adopted by the
Government of the United States, by gener-
al orders numbered eighty-one, of the War
Department, dated September 10, 1861, or
such notifications thereof, as may be lawful
ly made.
SEE : There shall be paid to such de-
positor of such funds, interest thereon, at the
rate of five per cent. per annum, upon al
such deposits as shall remain in the Treasu'
~ for the period of six months or longer.
SEC. 8. The Governor is hereby author
xed and directed to take proper measures, t.
cause immediate information to be given t.
the volunteers aforesaid, of the existence anc
operation of said allotment system, and o
the provisions of this act, and to invite sale
volunteers to avail themselves of its benefits.
SEC. 4. This act shall take effect from it
passage.
Approved Nov. 20, 1861.
According to tn provisions of this act, anC
the United States Allotment Law,
The soldier signs Allotment Rolls in trip
icate, one for the Paymaster, one for tn
State Treasurer, and the other Is retained by
the Captain OF the company. These rolls max
the State Treasurer the GENERAL assignee
and the Paymsster at each pay day, Conc
in two months) RENTS the aggregate amount
of the rolls to the Treasurer. Upon III
rolls the soldier may at the time Of maxim
the allotment, appoint special assignee t
draw his allotted pay. In all cases when a.
assignee is thus appointed they will be not
fed on blanks, which being signed by tn
Treasurer, will be evidence of the ASST gnee
right to draw an order. All soldiers who d
not appoint special assignee, can draw thei
allotted pay on their own order witnessed b
their commanding officer, and will be ser
from camp by the soldiers to their friends.
We append the Act of Congress as pub
lished in Z" General Order No. 81:
In accordance with section IL of the act {
Congress of July %, 1861, entitled " An az
to authorize the employment of Volunteers
the following method of enabling such of tn
Volunteer forces of the United States as ma
desire it, to assign portions of their pay fe
the benefit of their families is herby adopted
lst The assignment of pay will be mad
on a separate roll, similar to the annexe
form, to be executed under the supervise
of the Captain or immediate commander {
the recruit at the time of enlistment, or of Il
soldier in the camp.
I'd, When completed, the Allotment Ro
is TO be transmitted to the Paymaster Gene
al, by whom the deductions will be made G
each subsequent pay roll, and the aggrega
amount of each company'S assignment vi
be transmitted by him to the distributor mar
ed in the roll, together with copy of sa
roll.
Respectfully submitted.
JOHN B. PAGE,
JOHN HOWE, JR.