The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-04
INC Extra bounty Bill Whom u AfIects.

The Extra Bounty Bill Whom it Affects.
THERE seems TO be general misunderstanding
in regard 10 the Bounty bill passed by Congress
the last day of the session, which grants
500 extra bounty to three-year soldiers and
500 to twoyear men. The evil effects OF the
anticipated windiall have already begun to be
visible among those Of the working classes VINO
expect TO receive the money under the law
and numerous cases have come under our
notice in which steady and industrious hands
have either 30 deported themselves as to en-
danger their places, or have thrown up their
situations in anticipation. To them we will say
q word, after explaining the bill. The first part
to be noticed is that the $50 section has nothing
to do with the soldiers of this State. It was
introduced for the benefit OF the "two-year"
regiments of New York and Indiana. Penn
sylvanla sent no twO-year regiments out. Men
from our State who have served two years in a
three-year regiment do not come under this sec
tion, and they take nothing under the act unless
discharged ror ,ooundS.
Soldiers who had enlisted for three years and
have been discharged for disability before their
term OF service had expired, do not tall under the
provisions of the law 1t is probable that they
will be attended to next session, but under the
DOunly Dlll tnbf uOt SuLlIlCu W any
pay. This seems TO us like injustice. 1t is GER
tainly only iair that men who have expressed
desire to serve three years, and who have only
been prevented by their health falling them,
while striving to do their duty, should be treated
the same as though they had served out their
enlisted time 1t WAS because OF no fault of
theirs that nature was not sufficiently strong.
The spirit indeed was willing, though the flesh
was weak.
Again, veteran volunteers do not come under
the law. They have already received more than
the S1O0, and this extra bounty is expressly
granted only to such as have not received here
toiore that sum. AS the law at present stands,
the only persons clearly entitled are the soldiers
of 1861. 1862, or 1868, who have served out
three years, or have been discharged for
wounds; or the widow, orphan children.
OF parents of those soldiers who have
died or been killed in service, or have died OF
wounds received or disease contracted in the
service, always providing that the claimant has
not already received more than $lOO Govern
ment bounty. We have few words of advice
to add. 1t will require months before those
who are entitled under the act will be enabled
to receive their due. A commission has been
appointed by the War Office to propose plan
by which it can be carried INTO effect. 1t will
require weeks to perfect plan. An appropria-
ton must then be made, and finally, after all
prelminaries are arranged, it is probable that the
discharges will have TO be presented in order, and
thus it may be year before it will be really paid
into the recipients hands, minus fees, to brokers
and agents, price OF stamps, transmission
through mails, and tie hundred other ct ceteras
which will cause the sum to grow beautifully
less Mean while let all continue in their rcgu.
lar routine, as though nothing had been allotted
them. The little sum should be laid aside, when
it is received, In anticipation of any untoward
emergency. Let it not be spent in rioting, and,
above all, do not assign it to agents, receiving
In return a fraction in cash for what will surely
come if you have but patience to wait.