Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1863-02-12

STATE or .IxDrAxA. Executive DKrr..l
Indianapolis. Feb. 4. 1868.

Il STATE OF INDIANA, 6xBCUTIyE DEFT.,I
Indianapolis. Feb. 4. 1868.
TO the Legislature Department of. the. STATE
of 7ndidnu: = - - lf@ - - r-s->,t- 4
Owing to the immense drafts that have
been made on the Treasury of the United
States. the Cover nment has been unable to
promptly pay the troops the wages to
which they are entitled. To most of she
soldiers four months pay is due. and to
many of them six. am informed. how
ever. that enough money has recently been
furnished to the Paymasters to pay all ar
rearages up to the LIST of November last.
which will sti!l leave due and unpaid their
wages for two months, ending on the lst
day Of January. The failure by the Gov
eminent to pay the army the money due it
at the period liked by law for its payment.
which is every two months. operates with
great hardship upon the wives. children and
parents who are dependent upon it for sup
port. The compensation of private SOL
der is small and if the payment of it be
greatly delayed much suffering must ensue.
The brave and generous men who have
gone to the field to peril their lives in bat
tie and endure the hArdships of war. sho'd
not be allowed 10 fret that the payment Of
their scanty compensation IL delayed. If
there be any means by which delay can be
avoided. The soldier needs money while
in camp and on the march and often suf-
fers greatly in health and comfort for want
of it.
The Government. believe. Is doing oil
in its power to meet its engagements
promptly. but the question is whether the
State could not. without serious detriment
to herself. remove the diff guilty. so far as
Indiana troops are concerned. by advanc-
ing their unpaid wages. IL proper .legis-
lative authority were given. the State could
have no doubt. borrow, of the banks or
individuals in Indiana, New York. or other
places. at legal iuterest, enough, money for
the purpose. and an Arrangement could be
made with the. Secretary of the Treasury
by which the amount advanced should be
refunded to the State by the United States
whenever the Government was able TO pay
the same to the troops, if they had not
been paid by the State. The State would
be reimbursed for her expenditures, prob
ably every 60 or 90 days. and the interest
paid upon the loans would be trifiing CON-
pared with the amount Of good that would
be accomplished. and this interest would
no doubt be refunded by the Government.
The plan for doing it / would briefly
suggest as follows: Let the officers and
soldiers in proper form assign the pay due
Them to the Treasurer of the State. with q
direction in the assignment to whom the
money should be paid by the State. II
the money Is to be paid to the family or
friends of the officer or soldier. living in
the State. It can be done through the Treas
urer OF the county in which such persons
live. 1.-THE money is to be sent TO the SOL
.lier in the field. it can he done by Federal
Paymas,ers. un'ler an arrangement with
the Paymaster General. at Washington; or.
If it be preferred, tie money can remain in
the State Treasury, as deposit subject to
the order. at any time. Of the person enti-
tied to draw it. Upon the pay rolls thus
assigned the Treasurer Of the State. he can
from time to time settle with the United
States and receive bl.k the monies advan-
ced.
The measure proposed has several i'm
portant advantages:
First-By the prompt payment Of the
troops prolific source of discomfort anil
descltion is removed.
Secnn.lly-Officers and men are enabled
to provide for their own necessities in the
fell. and for the support Of their families
and ,lepen lent ones at home.
1hirLly--Dy th. plan proposed Of pay
ing through the County Trcasurers. families
and dependent ones at home will receive q
large amount which would never reac
them. even though it were promptly paid
TO those entitled while they were in the
! field.
Fourthly-Much money would be held
in trust. as deposit in the State Treasury.
which. il paid to the soldiers in the fi,ld.
would be squandere,l or lost.
| This recommendation is not intended to
I've confired to pay now in arrears, but to
! apply irf the future. when the Government
is unable to promptly meet its engage
inents with the army.
Should the plan suggested not be deem
! ed feasible, or the best, / will cheerfully
cooperate with you in the adoption Of any
other by which the main purpose. the
prompt payment OF Indiana troops can la
accomplished.
/ would respectfully invite your early
consideration of'this sutject.
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