Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1866-02-07
wAsnnNo1oN. July 22d, ls0s.

Your kilograms, respecting the pay
of militia called out under your proc
lamation OF the 9th Of June, have
been referred to the President for in
ssructions, and have been under his
He directs me TO say
that, while no law or appropriation
authorizes the payment by the Gen
eral Government of troops that have
not been mustered into the service OF
the United States, he will recon-
mend to Congress to make an appro-
priauon for the payment Of troops
called into State service to repel an
actual invasion, including those of the
State of Pennsylvania. If, in the
meantime,you can raise the necessary
amount, as has been done in other
States, the appropriation will be ap-
Piled to refund the advance to those
who made it.
Measures have been taken for the
payment of troops mustered into the
United States service; as soon as the
muster and pay-rolls are made out.
The answer Of this Department to you,
as Governor of the State, will be given
directly to yourself whenever the De-
partment is prepared to make answer.
(Signed) EDWIN NJ. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
When Congress met, the Executive
of the United States did not recon-
mend the passage Of the necessary
act. / have understood that the sub
iect was called to the attention Of the
proper committee,by the Secretary OF
War. but, as the President did not
send a message explaining the circum-
stances of the case, the appropriation
failed, rs the members of Congress
had thus no means Of explaining to
their constituents the difference be-
tween this case (Which was in sub
stance loan to the United States,
upon the pledge Of the Executive for
its repayment, and the case of the
voluntary expenditure of money for
military purposes by Pennsylvania
land most of the other States.
| will add, that the men came INTO
the service for the emergency only,
on the faith that they should be dis
charged as soon as, in my judgement,
the emergency should have ceased.
The emergency ceased Immediately
after the battle of Gettysburg, which
commenced on the lst of July, 1868
yet the men, against my urgent and
repeated remonstrances, were kept in
the service long afterward and used
Iby the United States for various pur-
poses. The last Of them were not dis
charged till in September.
| recommend that the Legislature
adopt measures to bring the subject
again before Congress, and obtain re-
payment of this sum, amounting TO
s671,476, with interest on the same,
which the General Government has
thus far so unwarrantably withheld.
Great injustice has been done to
private soldiers who went into service
under the provisions of the act of Con
gress, by refusing to pay them the
full bounties offered by the terms oI
that act. The following letter, which
I | addressed to the Secretary of War
sufficiently explains the position ol
/ this affair:
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
Harrisburg, Pa. June 5, 1865.
SIR There are two subjects con
nected with the discharge of volun
teers which are of so much importance
; that feel justified in calling your at
tention to them.
/. First. The men are being paid
only to the day of their arrival at the
place they are to be discharged. This
+ win cause them to lose few days
pay, depending principally upon the
promptness and disposition Of the Off
GERS of the United States who have tho
matter in charge tits a matter OF
little moment to the Government, but
the men feel it to be an injustice, and
If, under the acts of Congress, they
can be paid until discharged, think
you will agree with them.
Second. In circular No 20 from
Provost Marshal Generals office dated
July 10, 1864, "under which the vol
, unteers now to be discharged were
, raised" it is stated that the bounty
: provided by law is as follows:
"For recruits, including representa-
tive recruits, white or colorcd, Sl0O.
And it is further added, that the
first instalmcnt OF the bounty will
be paid when the recruit is mustered
in as follows:
"To recruit who enlisted in ths
: army for one year, S33 SO
On these terms the men enlisted
and they are of opinion that they arc
entitled TO the remainder of theii
: bounty when discharged from service
1t is proposed, however, to pay
: them but part of this remainder,be
cause the Government does not re
uuire their services for the full term