The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-01-29

The number that will volunteer for Old reoi.
ments or new organizations cannot at present.
with any certainty be estimated But i'm most
of the States vigorous efforts are being made
by executive and municipal authorities to fiji
up the whole quota.
From this statement it appears that
$21, 900, 900 will probably be wanted for
bounties to veterans The sum likely to
be required for recruits to fill up old regi-
ments is not stated; but if the number be
assumed as equal to the number OF vete-
rams expected to re-enlist, the amount re-
CURED for their bountes will be $15, $780,
ooO. Ii 100000 men are thus obtained,
ana the remainder of the 100000 men
called Tor be filled up by volunteers or new
organizations, the further sum of S2O,OOO,-
ooO will be needed
| Inc addition, therefore. of three hum
dred thousand volunteers 10 tho army ga
veterans, recruits for old regiments and
recruits Tor new organizations, will require
appropriations for bcunties to the amonnt
of $56,75S, 900.
But, II l understood the Secretary of
war correctly, the sum of S2l 100000
includes 5000, 900 for the bounty of 500
to each man, allowed by law to all recruits
excepting colOred, alike, whether volun,
teers or drafted men. So, too, the est
mate OF $l7,750,000 for recruits to old
regiments includes 100000 of usual
bountieS; while the sum Of $40. OOO. 900
Tor two hundred thousand recruits for new
organizations is wholly made up OF like
bounties.
II, therefore, the estimate OF fifty thou
sahd veteran recruits and fifty thousand
recruits Tor Old regiments be correct, the
Whoe amount required under existing
laws IN order to the raising OF the same
number OF men is $26,750, 900. of which
sum about $4,000 will be required during
the present year.
Taking these figures 70 be correct, |
reply to your inquiries that | 90 not think
there are any considerations arising from
the condition Of the Treasury which will
make the passage of either resolution
dangerous or particularly inexpedient.
| must not omit, however, to observe
that any additions to the appropriations
demanded by existing estimates enhance
the difficulty Of obtaining the vast sums
required to satisfy them
The first duty of the republic to lis SOL
diers AID sailors is prompt payment and
sure supplies Payments cannot be prompt
nor supplies sure if appropriations exceed
the probability of certain provision.
The estimate heretofore submitted re-
quire from loans for the last seven months
of the fiscal year 1861, 1892, PIG, $50, or
$50, 3lS, 0l6 month. Ii vigor and de-
cision and earnestness in the work of sup
pressing the rebellion shall be attended
with marked progress toward its CONSUME
nation, these large sums required for
bOunties can probably be attained at rea-
sOnable rates
But the whole OF these additional sums
as we'll as every other amount added to
expenditure beyond estimates, should be
raised by taxation. No uncertainty can be
safely allowed to attend the questions OF
prompt payment. Delay of payment, and
doubts as to its certainty, chill the ardor
OF the best soldiers, create dissatisfaction
in the minds OF dealers with the govern
ment, enhance prices of supplies, and in
vlte deterioration of their quality.
trust, therefore, that the Committee
on Fina" ce will accompany any report that
may be made of the resolutions referred
to it with some resolution pledgng the
ldltu vi SOuSTtSS W THlS0 ny tdAdtlOU, DC-
yOnd the S15l, 56S, 500 So heretofore es-
timated as the proportion of this years
disbursements to be provided in this mode,
every dollar that may be appropriated
beyond the estimates submitted at the
commencement of the session.
All considerations of prudence and econ
omy require this legislation. 1t will be
impossible to raise large sums by loans
much longer unless large sums are also
raised by taxation. In the report submit
ted to Congress at the commencement of
the session, l ventured to say at is hard
ly too much perhaps hardly enough-tO
say that every dollar raised for extraordi-
nary expenditures or reduction OF debt is
worth two in the increased value of ma
tiona securities and increased facilities for
the negotiation of indispensable loans"
Reflection and observation since have sat
istied me that under our present circum-
stances the remark is an understatement
of the truth.
Yours, very respectfully.
S. P CHASE
Secretary of the Treasury.
|