New Orleans Republican., 1868-08-22
W. L. McMILLEN,
Chairman;
JOHN PAGE,
G. RODNEY MAY,
CHAS. LEROY,
CANON J. .AD0LPHE.

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.
Same committee reported House bill No.
139, 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 D. L.
Haynes respectfully report as follows:
That during the military operations under
General Banks along the Red river in 1864
large number Of Union men were enlisted
in the United States army, and performed
good service to the government. The pc
Iitioner 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 uak such promises is not shown, nor is
AJ nAuNGU 10 lle COuUllLlGC IilAL lie 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, 1854,
Governor Hahn in message to the Legis-
lature alluded 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
for patriotic motives. They were not tempt
ed to enlist by the offer of large bounties,
nor had they the certainty, as did the SOL
diers 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
fheLouisiana regiments for fortitude in the
field, for faithful toll and patient endurance
in post and camp, needs no encomium from
me. The 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 gal
lantry of conduct, for conspicuous bravery
the foot and cavalry of Louisiana, If they
had many equals had no superiors for de-
votion to the sacred cause, or the honora-
BILE performance of duty. The families of
many of these brave men have suffered for
the necessaries of life. And / entreat YOU
let it be among the earliest acts of your
bodies to make such appropriations Of
money that it can no longer be said that the
wives and children of the soldiers of Lon.
isiAna are in want while the State has q dol.
lar left in her treasury
Your committee regret that the present
impoverished condition of the State treas.
T1ru md ha rnu1fffnda rF s.fAa,.
and pressing matters requiring the atten-
Gion Of the Legislature at this first session
under the constitution of 1885, will not allow
them and the Legislature to act on the sub
ject Of Captain Haynes memorial promptly
and intelligently. 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 q bill for the relief of an the loyal
soldiers Of Louisiana or their families, and
when the Legislature shall, with the aid OF
an adjutant general sympathizing with such
a movement, have all the documents and
information which the importance of the
subject demands a bill can be framed which
viii 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
10 persons Of the class described in the
memorial OF Captain Haynes, but under
Article No. ia Of the Constitution. our irsI
duty is 70 provide an annual pension fol
the veterans Of 1914 and 1915. This has moi
yet been done, but bills are now pending to
meet this constitutional requirement. Under
all the circumstances, your committee feel
constrained 20 report That no satisfactory hill
on the subject referred to them can be
framed and adopted at this session 81 ne
Legislature, and that the subject viii en-
gage their earliest and most serious attention
At the next session.
Respectfully submitted,
J. H. McYEAN.
y I0NEG V0IIyrtt