New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-08-20

tnAD. LEhU1,
CANON j. J.ADOLPHE.
The same committee reported back favor
ably House bill No. 81, joint resolution ap.
pointing joint committee to investigate
the actions Of the First and Second Drainage
Commissioners.
Bill ordered to be engrossed. EgEa
Same committee reported House bill No.
l39, recommending that action be deferred
until the joint committee provided for by
House bill No. 81 make their report.
The Committee on Claims submitted the
following report, which was received and
accepted
To the Honorable Speaker and Members of the
House of Representatives Of Louisiana:
Your Committee on Claims, to whom was
referred the memorial of Captain ID. d,
Haynes respectfully report as follows:
- Ihat during the military operations under
General Banks along the Red river in 1864 a
large number OF Union men were enlisted
in the United States army, and nerformed
good service to the government. The be
tluoner claims to have raised a company of
scouts, under order of Major General Banks
and on the promise Of Lieutenant Governor
Wells that each scout should receive from
the State bounty of three hundred dollars.
What ;lght Lieutenant Governor Wells had
to make such promises is not shown, nor is
it proven 10 the committee that he made
such promises. Nevertheless, that the
Union soldiers of Louisiana did excellent
service to the country, and deserve some
recognition from the government, can not
be denied. On the seventh of October, 1864
Governor Hahn in message to the Legis.
latufe auuded TO the patriotic services Of
these men in the following manner:
"Your especial attention is required on the
matter OF rendering assistance to the fami-
lies OF Louisiana soldiers in the army of the
United States. Both the honor and welfare
OF the State urge you to the consideration
OF this subject The Louisiana volunteers
entered the army of the United States solely
Tor patriotic motives. They were not tempt
ed to enlist by the offer Of large bounties
nor had they the certainty, as did the SOL
ulers OF other States, that while they were
away from their homes fighting for their
country, those who were dependent on them
would be succored and cared for by the
generosity of the State. The conduct of
the Louisiana regiments for fortitude in the
field, for faithful toll and patient endurance
IN post and camp, needs no encomum from
me. Inc various scenes of struggle which
memorabilia the campaigns of the Teche,
the seige Of Port Hudson, and the expedition
to the Red river, all attest that for cal.
lantry OF conduct, for conspicuous bravery
the loot and cavalry of Louisiana, if they
had many equals had no superiors for de-
votion to the sacred cause, or the honora-
bic performance of duty. The families of
many OF these brave men have suffered for
the necessaries of life. And | entreat YOU,
let 1t be among the earliest acts of your
bodies to make such appropriations of
money that 1t can no longer be said that the
wives and children of the soldiers of Lou.
lslana are In want while the State has dol.
lar left in her treasury
Your committee regret that the present
impoverished condition of the State treas.
ury and the multitude Of other important
and pressing matters requiring the atten-
tion OF the Legislature at this first session
under the constitution of s6S, will not allow
them and the Legislature to act on the sub
iect OF Captain Haynes memorial promptly
and intellgently. At the next session when
our financial position and ability to grant
bounties shall be better understood and
sufficient time shall have been allowed us to
frame bill for the relief of all the loyal
soldiers of Louisiana or their families, and
when the Legislature shall, with theaid of
a movement, have all the documents ard
information which the importance of the
subject demands, a bill can be framed which
will doubtless do justice to all the brave men
OF the State who served their country in the
hour of danger.
The Committee are anxious to extend aid
to persons of the class described in the
memorial of Captain Haynes, but under
Article No. l24 of the Constitution, our first
duty is to provide an annual pension for
the veterans of 1914 and 1875. This has not
yet been done, but bills are now penjing to
meet this constitutional requirement. Under
all the circumstances, your committee feel
constrained to report that no satisfactory bill
on the subject referred to them can be
framed and adopted at this session of the
Legislature, and that the subject will en-
gage their earliest and most serious attention
at the next session.
Respectfully submitted,
J. f. MCVEAN