Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1864-05-27
RELIEF OF THE FAMILIES or THE
sa e NATIONAL GUARD f
The following circular FROM Governor Brough
will be read with interest:

NATIONAL GUARD. f
The following circular FROM Governor Brougl
will be read with interest:
The STATE OF Quo,
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
| .,.a CoLuMBus May Is 1864.
Iotte NiLitayy Committee of -, County:
Upon more careful exaininatioHofs the pro.
visions OF the Relief Law, feel constrained to
change my former position as to the right of fam
lilies of the National Guard to its Benefits
They have the same rights as families of Other
soldiersin the service. Still our people should
bear in mind that with the addition thus made
TO the dependent families of soldiers, this fund
will now be severely burthened The taxation
was made on the basis of our quotas under the
calls. We have now added over thirty thousand
men; and 10 that atextent have increased the num-
Der of families that will require aid Therefore,
it is necessary that we should add TO the fund,
by voluntary contribution TO the extent at least,
ofthis increase of liability. You should see
that your County Commissioners levy the dis
cretlOnary tax for this year; or, at least have a
clear record of refusal to do so.
Some complaints in regard 10 the action of
Trustees in the distribution of this fund, are an
swered in this form:
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 de-
barred from reiiefy Certainly not; unless the
property, independent of furnishing home for
the family, is productive OF the means of sup
porting it. Unproductive property may be an
incumbranre in the way of taxes aud other ex-
penses. Sensibleand well-meaning tnen 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 a
livelihood. The simple question should be-
Does the family, considering all its Circumstance
es, its capability to produce its ordinary indus
try aud econonIy, need aid to live comfortably?
If so, the aid should be extended Itis mortify-
ing to add, that in few cases Trustees are rep
resented as deciding that where the family held
small homestead, entirely unproductive, it was
not entitled to relief until the property be sold
and its proceeds be consumed. Such aposition
is at variance alike with the provisions of the
law, and the dictates of humanity as4.s
1t is asked whether the family of the deceased
soldier IN receipt of government pension, is
entitled to relief? The answer depends upon
the circumstances, sensbly viewed. Is the PEN
sion. considering the size and elplessness OF the
family, sufficient for its support? IfmOt relief
should be extended from. the fund, and the
amount of the pension is TO be taken into con-
sideration when equalizing the fund in the town
ship.
Other questions that may alise should be set
settled, not by the strict rules of legal refinement
but upon the principles of practical common
sense. The trust should be literally and hon
estly construed, There is no requirement TO
practice niggardly economy, hut to fairly dis
tribute the fund in the spirit of justice aud hu-
manity, and accomplish with it the greatest
amount of good.
In cases where the military committee feel
warranted in doing So they can relieve them
1al,,
probably secure more equitable distribution,
by apportioning the voluntary contributions
among the townships upon the basis adopted by
the County Commissioners, aud handing the
amounts TO the Township Trustees, TO be paid
out in the same manner, and as part the re-
lieffund.
Please have this circular published in your
county. Very Respectfully,
,sl- JOHN BROUGH.