The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-05-17
The STATE OF Quo
ExRcuTIvE DEPARTMENT,
Columbus, May 8, 1855.

To Ohio Soldiers
The Ohio Legislature. at its present
session, has abolished the Ohio Military
Claim Agency at Columbus. heretofore
under the charge of Mr.. James K. Lewis,
and established in its place department
for the collection of claims Of Ohio SOL
curing Of Pensions, and matters of a SIM
liar character. Colonel Royal Taylor,
formerly Ohio Military Claim Agent at
Louisville, Nashville and Chattanooga,
has been appointed as the chief officer of
this department, and is designated as
ss Commissioner of Soldiers Claims" y
y All pending claims, books,
papers and records of the old claim agen-
| cy are passed over into the hands of Col
Taylor, and will be adjusted by him. X
y x The money transactions
of the commissioner will pass through
the State Treasury, and no fees can be
charged or exacted for performing Official
duties Also, all moneys SO collected
and paid into the Treasury, will be i'm
mediately certified to the Auditor of the
county in which the claimant may reside,
to be paid to such claimant by the Treas
urer of such county, without fees or cost
OF transmission.
The object of the Legislature iu this
enactment is to render all possible aid to
our soldiers in the collection of their
claims against the Government, and to
| remedy difficulties heretofore existing in
this particular. Ne little embarrassment
has arisen for the want of recognition, at
| Washington, of the claim agency as a
strictly State department.. This is now
removed. and the acts of the Commis-
sioner will meet with prompt recognition
and attention.
The Bureau Of Soldiers Claims is be-
| ing organized by Col. Taylo upon sys-
tom that will greatly expedite the settle-
ment of these claims; and much of the
delay heretofore experienced, it is hoped,
will be remedied Correspondence will
be promptly attended to, and the situa-
ton of claims be reported when required
feel warranted in assuring our soldiers
that their claims will be energetically
prosecuted, and that as little delay as
| possible will occur in this particular.
| An assurance has been given by the
Postmaster General that the Assistant
Postmaster at this station shall be con-
stantly kept in funds to pay claims OF
discharged men, when properly adjusted.
This will remedy delay heretofore vex-
atious, and prevent the necessity on the
part Of our men of discounting or shaw
| ing their claims with banks or brokers.
| It is now clearly the interest of our
soldiers to forward their claims against
the Government for collection; to the
Commissioner of Soldiers Claims. This
can be done by mail or express, or thro'
any of the Military Claim Agents of the
State. x y x \;
Claims deposited with or sent to j c.
Wetmere, Agent at Washington, will be
collected by him direct, and remittanees
made to the claimants. This agency also
embraces claims for pensions of all grades.
| No fees or charges, except for revenue
stamps or similar expenses in perfecting
papers. can legally be made by the Com
missioner or any Of the State Agents
and any violation of this regulation
should be reported at once to this depart
ment.
The official character of this arrange
ment secures it great advantages over al!
individual or local claim agencies, and our
soldiers may repose in it entire confidence,
Their claims will be adjusted through Its
agency more promptly than in any other
manner, and without expense to the
claimants.
Communications should be. addressed
to Col. Royal Taylor, Commissioner Of
Soldiers Claims, Columbus, Ohio.
Very respectfully,
JOHN BRoUGn,
Governor of Ohio.