The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-08-02
Bounty Money for seamen.
TO THE EDITOR or the HERALD.

AIeW Gays SINCE We took occasion 10 present 70 the
public an account Of the outrages committed by tho Ala
bama md Florida upon our commerce. We reminded
Of the great scarcity Of navy and tho din
Guilty Of supplying the losses sustained different
vessels In tho conflicts constantly occurring the coast
blockade and the Western waters still 70 tho
shipsofwar rapidly being prepared by enterprisng
workmen under the contracts from the Navy Depart
ment.
When the state Of the properly understood this
will not appear surprising TO merchants and Others
who take lively interest In naval and commercial
marine. The public may remember that during tho
draf Of 1852, Congress- directed liberal bounty TO be
paid TO the volunteers who entered tho srmy In add
ton to this the States that called upon supply
their full quota promptly responded the call Of tho 60
vernment, aud additional inducement largely in
creased from their treasures the national bounty This
nducement yet increased many instances by city
ana town authorities making often the per capita bonus
equal 70 $500.
with this example and in view Of all the exploits and
devotion Of the navy s officers and mon, during the
war, what has been done for tho hardy so
Congress State, city or town authorities the Navy De-
partment are concerned, similar Inducements Of
importance have been held out TO the navy In the
FIRST place the pay o. the sailors has not been In.
loyalty when we remember how well they have stood
up 70 their duty and supported the government 10 the
The sros ration was taken from Jack 81 az arbitrary Or
dor, and ardent spirits positively forbidden on board
scissor war-tne pttance OF VI 90 per month given In lieu
thereof Travelling expensesthree per mile--aro
allowed from their homes TO tho rendezvous
those who might desire 70 onter tho navy This ID the
only tnducement held out.
seaman receives $l8 Per month. with one ration.
Whom he enters the service he 10 mcrcfuy permitted 10
receive tn months advance This gratuiy intended
To supply him with outfit or clothing, , the quality
Of which Is prescribed by regulations from the Navy Do
partmsnt, which, according 70 the present price faith
fully served jack amounts 70 than his pitt
full advance. But In this provision the sailor has not
justice done him. Sailors almost invariably
under the control Of landlords and shipping agents. who
f the Naval Rendezvous Tho from whence this
profit Ia derived 10 found IN this advance.
The supply Of clothing furnshed by shipping mas tcrs
generally Of very Inferior quality but charged TO Jack
t high prices. The result Is that supply which should
last for several months Notwithstanding the and
tear consequent upon the exposed duty OF the sailor
found entirely inAdequate and sometimes before .
week eapses nftcr he In transferred the receiving
more clothing 20 enable him 70 perform his duties
and prevent Sickness this 81 his cost also Thus he
monces TO serve his one. two or three Year,, with
heavy debt and frequently occurs that before he works
out hrs indebtedness half Of his term OF enlistment has
expired With the generous, reckless improvident
nature Of the sailor and the very few opportunities
has % treasure up bis scaniy this would to
The bounty voted BY Congress for the army ws arc
correct, fabulous and we vet 20 that any
law dollar was appropriated for the benefit OF poor
BY havoc committed BY rebel privatscrs, II given a.
bonus ~ early period by tho merchants who
the losers by these doprcdatons would doubtless have
od 70 the Introduction into the naval service OF thousands
Of good men, navy anoat would have been much
creased, and uil protection extended
1t In rumorcd that bounty OF hundred dollars w
be offered for tho draft Of volunteers TO be called for
Now then tho trne 10 extend ttSc 10 the
navy. Give who enlist for three years each
hundred dollars ordinary seamsn landsmen and boys
proportion, the effect would DO magical