Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-05-26
Relief for Families of the
National Guard.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,

SoIOMDOo, -udJ lOUf.
To Military Committee of Belmont County:
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 sheuld bear in mind that
with the large addition thus made to the
families OF dependant soldiers, this fund
will be severely burthenej. The taxation
was made on the basis of our quotas under
the calls. We have now added over thirty
thousand men; and to that extent have in
creased the number of families that will re-
quire aid. Therefore, it is necessary 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:
lst. 1t is asked, Where the absent SOL
dicr owns house and lot, or small tract
of land on which his family resides, is the
family thereby debarred from relief2 Ger
tainly not; unless the property, independ-
ent 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 wellmeaning 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 sim
pie question with practical men should be /:
Does the family, considering all its circum-
stances, its capability to produce, its ordi-
nary industry and economy, need aid to live
comfortably If SO, the aid should be ex-
tended. 1t is Notifying to add, that in a
few cases Trustees are represented as deci-
ding that where the family held small
homestead, entirely unproductiye, it was
not entitled to relief until the property be
sold, and its proceeds consumed. Such q
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 Govern
ment pension, is entitled to relief? The
answer depends upon the circumstances, SEN
sibly viewed. Is the pension, considering
the size and helplessness of the family, sui-
ficient forits support2 If not, relief should
| be eXtenQed from tue Iuuu, anu tne huiuuut
of the pension is to be taken iHto the ac-
count when equalizing the fund in the town
ship.
Other questions that may arise should
be settled, not by the strict rules of legal
refinement, but upon the principles Of prac
tical common sense. The trust should be
literally and fairly construed. There is nc
requirement to practice a niggardly ocon
omy, but to fairly distribute the fund in tn,
spirit of justice and humanity, and accom-
plish with it the greatest amount of good
In cases where the Military Committee
feel warranted in doing so, they can reliev'
themselves of some labor and responsibility
and probably secure more equitable dis
tribution, by apportioning the voluntar!
contributions among the Townships, upol
the basis adopted by the County Commis
sioners, and handing the amounts to th'
Township Trustees, to be paid out in the
sane manner, as part Of the reliei fund
on Please have this circular published II
your county. anHit
Very respectfully, JOHN BRouoH.
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