Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1865-01-12

a fund that aids in the purchase of
articles not contributed, and pays
the transportation. There is no ex-
pensive machinery about it,-no
waste, ana no extravaganza. 1t
has been objected to as beng To-
cal and selfish in its character;
but this is not the fact While
the first care of the agents is
for Indiana men, no Ohio soldier in
want of distress has ever, to my
knowledge, appealed to an Indiana
agenev without having his wants re-,
lieved. The Indiana agents have
frequently divided their stores with
the agents of Ohio; and we have al
ways tried to reciprocate the kind
ness.
There are many benefits attending
this system, which should not be dis
regarded.
list. 1t is decidedly the most
economical way of aggregating and
distributing the contributions of our
people, and expendlng the means
appropriated by the State for this
purpose. @
2 1t renders certain the distribu-
ton of all supplies to the objects and
purposes for which they are inten-
/ ded There is hardly a possibility
for misrepresentation. There is no
machinery abont it to be kept lu
bricated, and no class of middle men
to levy toll upon it.
Sd. By proper care aud manage
ment it is made more prompt and
energetic than any other mode; and
by being more systematic. will be
more general and appropriate in its
relief #......
4th. 1t fosters and gratifies the
State pride ofour soldiers. Itcomes
nearer to the feeling of Home. An
Ohio soldier regards an Ohio Agency
as a place he has q right to enter,
and expect 4 welcome. If he is in
want, there is no system of orders or
acquisitions for him to 90 through
no pryIng and unpleasant catechism
for him to submit to. The supplies
furnished by his State and his peo
pie are there; ane he feels that ne is
no object of charity when he par
takes of them. His remembrance S
of home are ffeshened-his attach
ment to his State is quicHened and
increased-and he goes away feeling
that he his not neglected or forgot,
that the canse of the country is still
worth upholding, aad the dear old
State still worth defending from the
encroachments Of the rebel adveIsa-
ry. And this Is doubly the case
when the agent passes almost daily
through his hospital--be- ds over the
bed on which he is stretched with
sickness or womGs-inquires kindly
into hls wants, and ministers untc
them from the benefactions of hi:
people, and the liberality ofhis State
Surely this spirit is worth cherish
ling and preserving. ...
The Governor in the true spiri
makes the following suggestions rel
ative to the pay OF agents, and thu
establishment of bureau at Colum
bus, to take charge of the NATTER
1t will meet the hearty approval o
every patriot: el Hale
Like all other Of your public ser
wants, your military agents are no
adequately compensated. At Wash
ington, louisville, Nashville, Chatta
nooga, Memphis and New Orleans
their pay is not equal to their actua
subsistence at the present time
Their service is very laborious, ant
to some extent, dangerous, especial
| ly to the hospital visitations. A gen
erous people win not object to NOR,
liberal compensation for their labor
and sacrifices.
The Military Agency at Columbu!
has grown into such proportions a
to require special mention. TIL,
, pressure upon it of clsims for bael
, pay, pensions, &c, is very large, ant
overtaxes the limited capacity of th,
department. If it Is the settled pol
icy of the State that this class 0
claims shall be attended to, and col
lected by State officer, (of which
cordially approve. then this agenc!
should be remodeled and its capacity
enlarged, This business will con
tinue to increase during the war, ant
require attention for a year or tw,
2 after its close / recommend that
bureau be established under the con
troll of an officer, to be styled tn
"Auditor of Soldiers Claims" to b
Z appointed by the Governor, with tn
advice and consent of the Senate
that he be required to give suficien
bonds, and pass his money transac
!, tions through the State Treasury
: The salary should be inc -eased ,abov
+ the present rate, and he should hav
. such clerical force as will enable hin
to keep up the business of the De
partment. A very large number o
\ our people are interested IN thes
! claims They are ignorant of tn
e manner of collecting them, and ar
7 not unfrequently made victims of b,
r sharpers and unprincipIed clair
e agents. The matter is. in my judg
ment, of sufficient Importance to en-
gage your early attention.
II Our charitable institutions are rer
!, resented as being in hourishin
I condition.
The Penitentiary seems To hay