Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1866-03-30
Equalization Of Bountiss.

Equalization Of Bount1ss
The following is the bill introduced In
the House yesterday by the Hon. g, w.
Juiin, relative to the equalization of SOL
ders aud sailors bounties. 1t was referred
TO the Committee on Military Affairs
An act to eaualize the bounties of soldiers
and sailors who served during the rebellion.
Secc Oh |, B. u enacted By the Senate and
House Of Representatives ofthe United States
Of AMERICA IN Congress assembled, That to
each and every soldier and sailor who serted
tn the armies or navy of the United States
In the late war for the Union. and who has
been, or who may hereafter be. honorably
sdischarged therctrom. there shall be paid.
except as hereinafter prescribed. bounty
of eight ana one third dollars per month in
each and every month,of service rendered ::
Preceded. That in cases of discharge on ae-
count of wounds received in action the full
bounty shall be paid for the term of service
for which the enlistment was made.
Section . -4nd be IL further enacted,
That in calculating the amount of bounty
due aud to be- Md to each soldier or sailor
under the provisions Of this act, deductions
shall be made for any and all payments of
bounty made or agreed to be paid by the
United States, 50 that in no case shall any
soldier or sailor receive a greater u Il in
bounty than eight and one third dollars for
each or any month ofseryice, and no boun-
ty whatever shall be paid to any soldier or
sailor who was prisoner OF war at the time
Of his enlistment hor to any soldier or sal
Tor who has been discharged at his own re-
glest. unless for the purpose of recnlist
mcnt or excepting promotion or appoint
ment in the army or navy,o or who has been
transferred from the army to the navy; and
M hounty whatever shall be paid to any
soldier or sailor who has been discharged
at the request of parents, guardians, or
other persons, or on the ground of minority.
And in the case OF sailors whose prize mon
ey has been or is to be paid, whenever the
amount of such prize meney shall exceed
the amount Of bounty due, no bounty shall
he paid; and whenever it is less, then only
such bounty as shall equal eight and one
third dollars for each months service in
GLIDING such prize money.
Section 3, -dnd be itfurthur enacted. That
it shall not he lawful for any soldier or sal
lor to transfer, assign, barter, or sell his
final discharge papers for the purpose OF
transferring. assigning, bartering, or sell
ing any interest i'll any bounty under the
provisions of this act; and all such transfers,
assignments, barter, or sales heretofore
made are hereby declared null and vols
as to any rights intended so to be vested by
any such soldier or sailor.
Sceion 4. 44ad be It further enactud, That
in the payment of the bounty herein proyi
ded for, it shall be the duty of the Pay mas
ter General, under such rules aud regula-
tons as may be prescribed by the Secretary
81, 81 Il,
and every soldier or sailor or his represen
tative or heirs TO whom the said bounty is
payable or due.
Section 5. Ind he e further enacted,
That whenever application shall be made
by any claimant through an attorney the
claimant shall furnish his post office ad-
dress. giving the name Of the county and
State in which ii is situated. and state the
amount OF commission or fees. which the
attorney is to receive for his services Ill the
settlement of the claim. which in no case
shall exceed ten dollars. The Paymaster
General upon ascertaining the amount due.
shall callse 10 be transmitted to Sneh claim
ant the tuli amount thereof. less the fees 10
be pad the attorney. which shall be paid
in person or transmitted to such address
as the attorney may direct.
Section 8. And be IL riUfkeF enacted. That
+ case thepayment shall be made in the
form OF 4 check, Order or draft upon any
paymaster national bank. or Government
depository. in or hear the districts wherein
the claimants may reside. it shall be neceS-
sary for the claimant To establish. by the
aflidaYi,s OF TIVE credible witnesses. that he
is the identical person named therein; but
in no case shall such check, order: or draft
~be made negotiable.
Section I. And be Il further enacted. That
-l,., la1I
claimant a sum greater than ten dollars for
the prosecution of any claim under the
provisions OF this act. upon convictions
thereof shall pay a fine not to exceed the
sum of one thousand dollars. or shall suf-
fer Imprisonment for a term not less than
one year or both, Us the court or jury may
adjudge.