The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1864-05-25
Relief Of Families of tho nation

The following circular from Gov. Brough
was issued to County Military Committees: /:
STATE OF ONO, EXECUTIVE DEPT,
CoIuMBUs, May I6, 1864. !
Upon more careful examination of the
provisions Of the Relief Law, / feel con
strained to change my ioimer position rs 10
the right of iamihes OF the National Guard
to its benefits. They have the same rights
as families Of other sOldiers in the service. -
Still, ourYpeopae should bear in mind that
with the large addition thus made to the de-
pendant 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 to that extent have in
creased the number Of families that win re-
quire aid. Therefore, it is necessary that
We should add to the fund, by voluntary con-
trlbution, to the extent, at least, of this in
crease of its liability. You should see that
your County Commissioners levy the discre-
tionary tax for this year; or at least have a
clear record of refusal to do So
Some complaints in regard to the action Of
Trustees n the distribution ofthis fund, are
answered in this form; .~
lst it is asked Where the absent soldier
owns house and lot, or a small tract Of
land on which his family resides, is the fami-
ly thereby debarred from relief2 Certainly
not; unless the property, independent Of
tive Of the means of supporting it,, Unpro-
ductive property may be an incumbrance in
the way Of taxes and other expenses. Sensi-
bic and well-meanirg men should not have
any trouble in deciding questions of thi;
kind A helpless family may not be able tc
work ground, even to the partial extent Of q
livelihood. The simple question with practica
men should be: Does the family, consider
ing all its circumstances, its capabilty to pro
| duce, its ordinary industry and economy
need aid to live comfortably? If so the aC
should be extended ltis mortifying to add
that in few cases Trustees are represented
as deciding that where the family held ;
| small homestead, entirely unproduciive, il
was not entitled to relief until the property
be sold, and its proceeds consumed. Sucf
a position is at variance alike with the pro
visions Of the law, and the dictates Of IN
manity. ....a... ~ ..,..- -e.,,-s. "a. .--..-
I'd. 1t is asked, whether the family of the
deceased soldies in receipt of government
pension, is entitled to relief? The answer
depends upon the circumstances, sensibl.
viewed. Is the pension, considering the sl2'
and helpessness of the family, sufficient TO
its support? If not, relief should be exteD
ded from the fund.- and the amount Of tn
pension is to be taken into account wheI
equaizing the fund in the township.
Other questions that may arise should bC
settled, not by the strict rules Of legal refine
ment, but upon the principles Of praetica
common sense. The trust should be liberal
ly and honestly construed. There is no re
quirement to practice a nggardly economy
but fairly distribute the fund in the spirit o
justice and humanity, and accomplish with
the greatest amount of good.
In cases where the Military Committed
feel warranted in doing so, they can reliey
themselves of some labor and responsibility
and probably secure more equitable distri
button, by apportioning the voluntary con
tributions among the Townships, upon tn
basis adoptedby the County Commissioners
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 il
your county. Very respectfully.
JOHN BROJGH