Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-05-18
STATE OF ONO, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
COLUMBUS, May l6, 1854,

SN''NAanNot
Upon more careful examination of the
provisions of the Relief Law, l feel con-
| strained to change my former position as
to the right of families of the National
Guard to its benefits. They have the same
rights as families of other soldiers in the
service. Still, our people should bear in
mind that with the large addition thus made
to the dependant families of soldiers, this
fund will now be severely burthened. The
taxation was made on the basis of our quo
tas under the calls. We have now added
over thirty thousand men; and to that ex-
tent have increased the number of families
that will require aid. Therefore, it is neces-
sary that we should add to the fund, by
voluntary contribution, to the extent, at
least, of this increase of its liability. You
should see that your County Commissioners
levy the discretionary tax for this year; or,
at least have clear record of refusal to
do so.
Some complaints in regard to the action
of Trustees in the distribution of this fund,
are answered in this form:
1st. 1t is asked, Where the absent soldier
owns house and lot, or a small tract of
land on which his family resides, is the
family thereby debarred from relief? C,r-
tainly not; unless the property, indepen-
dent of furnishing home for the family,
is productive of the means OF supporting It.
Unproductive property may be an incum-
brance, in the way of taxes and other eX-
penses. Sensible and well-meaning men
should not have any trouble in deciding
questions of this kind. A helpless family
may not be able to work ground, even to
the partial extent of livelihood. The
simple question with practical men should
be: Does the family, considering all its
~ Of itc nopab abilitv IN nrnIuon Ire
ordinary industry and economy, need aid to
live comfortably? If so, the aid should be
extended. 1t is mortifying to add that in
few cases Trustees are represented as de-
Gliding that where the family held a small
homestead, entirely unproductive, it was
not entitled to relief until the property be
sold, and its proceeds consumed. Such
position is at variance alike with the pro-
visions of the law, and the dictates of hu-
manity.
I'd. 1t is asked, whether the family of
deceased soldier in receipt of a government
pension, is entitled to relief? The answer
depends upon the circumstances, sensibly
viewed Is the pension, considering the
size and helplessness of the family, sufli-
cient for its support? If not, relief should
be extended from the fund, and the amount
of the pension is to be taken into the ac-
NOoho nASh ohN iNhU III ohO
township.
Other questions that may arise should be
settled, not by the strict rules of legal re-
finement, but upon the principles Of practi-
cal common sense. The trust should be
literally and honestly construed. There is
no requirement to practice a niggardly
economy, but to fairly distribute the fund
in the spirit of justice and humanity, and
accomplish with it the greatest amount of
good.
In cases where the Military Committees
feel warranted in doing so, they can relieve
themselves of some labor and responsibility,
and probably secure more equitable dis
tribution, by apportioning the voluntary
contributions among the Townships, upon
the basis adopted by the County Commits
sioners, and handing the amounts to the
Township Trustees, to be paid out in the
same manner, and as part Of the relief
fund.
Please have this circular published in
your county.
Very respectfully,
JOHN BRoUGH.