Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1865-01-12

support oi their families, at this period OF
high prices. The duty resting upon the
people OF the State TO provide. support
and prevent suffering aud restitution in
these cases, is also too clear for argument,
and needs only to be started to command
general assent If the relief be furnished
in the manner proposed. the burden
will fall upon all the eople Of the State
according to their several capacities to bear
1t, and will he so light as to be scarcely
felt, end will, | an sure, be cheerfnllv
borne. 1t is an hour of great trial to the
nation, and solemn duties are devo.ved up
on the people. whether at home or in the
field. Our soldiers are performing their
duties gloriously. and to the admiration of
the world. Let the people at home do
theirs, and all will be we'll.
INDIANA STATE sANITATY COMMISSION.
have thought proper to lay before you
the report Of Dir. IIannamaa. President,
and Alfred Harrison, Treasurer, of the In
diana State Sanitary Commission. Since
Its formal organization on the 81 day of
March. 1867. it has received contributions
In money to the amount of One Hundred
and Fiity-tive Thousand, Seven Hunlred
and Ninetysix Dollars and Forty five
cents, and supplies for the army valned at
Thee Hundred and Thirteen Thousand,
Six Hundred and Five Dollars, and Six
ty-six cents, making an aggregate of Four
Hundred and Sixty Nine Thousand. Four
Hundred and Two Dollars and Eleven
cents. AS to the manner in which this
money ami these supplies have been ex-
pended and distributed, and the number,
management and operations OF the various
military agencies that have been establish
ed, the appointment of special surgeons.
and travelling Sanitary Commissioners,
Y on are referred to DIR. Hannaman's report
This Commission has been instrumental
IN preserving many lives, and relieving un-
told suffering ami distress. 1t has recev-
ell no support from the fairs held in the
great cities. in which large sums have been
realized, but has been sustained by a sys
TEN of collections AMI voluntary contribu-
tons on the part OF the people. which are
fully described Ivy DIR. Hannaman am
aware that as this Commission has not
been established l,y law. and is not there
fore legally responsible TIC the Legislat ure,
1t may be said by some that you should
take no cognizancc of it whatever, but as
the people vi the State have right to
know what disposition has been made OF
their patriotic gifts. and a. the soldiers OF
Indiana are deeply interested in its contin-
ned success, which can only he maintained
by preserving he confidence OF the people
in its integrity and efficiency. it is my lie.
size, and that of all the Off engaged in
it's administration. that you shoud take
cognlz nee OF it. and institute such inves.
legations, by proper committee, as will
establish its merits AID claims to public
confidence. or enable its enemies to point
out its defects.
| cannot leave the snbject without ex.
pressing to DIR. Hanneman my sincere
thanks for the devotion, ability, and dis
interested patriotism with which he has
presided over its affairs. For more than
two years he has entirely abandoned his
business, and given his time and labor
wholly to the great work of relief to ON
sick :nl wounded soliiers, without rev ard
or the hope OF it, and has thus set noble
il in which the bur,hens aud duties of the
war shonld lie borne. Nor should | omit
to return thanks to the Trea u-er and all
other officers of the Commission for their
devotion and efficiency in the dis barge of
their duties; and especially TO the patriotic
women ol indiana. by whose labors and
influence he greater par; of the contribu.
hat Il n L.
been diminished by the pro'raction of the
war, but has increased with the Increasing
wants Of cur soldiers; AMI while many
have labored increasingly with their hands,
others have given most literally and often
from very small means. They have their
reward in the support they have given to
the canse. and in the gratitude of the many
thousands of brave hearts that they have
male light and happy.
The duties OF collecting back pay, PEN
sions and boun,ies for our soldiers and
soldiers widows and orphans, free of
charge. l devolvel upon the agencies in
Washington and in this city. nearly two
years ago. and they have accomplished
much good in that way. But have not
been able to employ the force necessary to
meet the demands OF business so large and
important. and | recommend that snch
legislation he had as will Establish agen.
cies npon permanent basis, with a force
sufficient to transact the business. and save
the claimants from the great sacrifice they
may otherwise be compelled to make. ma.
ny OF whom are but poorly able to bear it.
SOLDIERS VOTES.
Under the provisions OF our constitution
no person can vote except in the precinct
in which he resides. This should be so
amen'lea. in my opinion. as to enable such
OF our citizens as are in the military SER
vice Of the Government and who would
be entitled to a vote II at home, to vote
wherever they may be. in camp or field.
under such reasonable regular ions and
safe guards as might be prescribed by the
legislature.
| can conceive Of no greater Political in
Justice. than the exclusion from the right
of suffrage, Of those gallant men who are
absent from home, because they are fight
ing the battles Of their country. earnest
ly hope that immediate steps will he taken
to relieve our constitution of this Injustice,
anil although It may not be accomplished