The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1870-10-20
Secretary Belknap.

The Grand Army Journal, new
and able journal Of Washington CITY,
has y lengthy and highly comrli-
meflsary notice of Iowas distinguish
cd member Of the Cabinet, Secretary
Belknap. We have room only for
the following extract:
"The War Dcpartment-wc do
not moan the Regular Army-is .
purely civil one, and the Secretary is
nearly always chosen from civil life
and there is wisdom certainly, in so
choosing. The Army proper, in
spirit, is always aggressive, trusting
more in itself, and in the might OF
the sword, than in all civil wisdom
combined. So it is well that the con
troll ofthat department, and toa GER
tain extent the Army, should be in
the hands of man without strong
military instincts, and goodly share
of trust and confidence be rcposcd in
the safeguard Of civil administration.
1t was natural to presume that
Secretary Belknap. q man of soldier
descent, with brilliant Army record
of his own, would rather incline to tt
military administration OF tbs de-
partment OF which he is chief. But
we eblieve such 10 not the case, and
that while he always seeks to main
tain a proper discipline and esprit dc
corps in our armies, he still has full
faith in the efficacy of civil institu
tions; that his craftsmanship is com
prehensive enough to see good in
both the civil and military branches,
and that he has the strength. of will
/ to decide where the limits OF each
expire.
In regard to the specific questiols
OF civil appointments in his depart
ment, we are clearly and decidedly
OF opinion that it is Secretary Belk
maps legal, moral, and patriotic duty
to steadily and babitaally give the
preference, other things being equal,
TO honorably discharged soldiers and
sailors of the Union Army and Ma
w. This proposition, we think, will
not admit Of successful question
among men who agree IN acknowl
edging that the country owes its cx-
istence to the effort OF soldiers and
sailors who united 10 suppress tho
rebellion. Indeed, it cannot be dis
puted. 1t is no matter OF opinion,
but Of lava solemn enactment OF
Congress, which no public function
ary having government patronage
at his disposal can presume TO ignore
or evade. And what is tho duty OF
Secretary Belknap in this regard is
also the duty of every other head OF
department and bureau in Washing
ton, and of every Federal official
throughout the country, from tho
President down, We know that
Secretary BellSnap is not unmindful
of the claims ofworthy soldiers; they
may always be sure of II patient
hearing and justice at his hands.
Possessing sound Judgment aud
great ability, doing his'duty without
Ostentation; OF commanding presence
and earnest oratory, Score airy Bel
KNAPP has made his mark as an exec
utive ofiiier in the cabinet Of Pross-
dent Grant. And rs the country
cannot afford to relinquish the SER
| vices of men whose fitness for rcspon
| sibility has been demonstrated, the
future may possibly deveiope an op-
portunity in which the present Sec
retary OF War may be called upoI to
assume more important duties, to be
performed, we feel assured, With
equal satisfaction to the public.
BoUNTIEs AND PENSIONS. "A Wash
lipgton correspondent writes that tho
statement published in several papers
that the time for additional bounty
expires in December next, is strictly
correct. The law passed at the last
session extending the time for filing
additional bounty claims, applies only
| to the act of July 2Sth, 1866, and by
THAT act those who served two tu!
wears are entitled to $50, and those
who served three years, Sl00.
| No new grant OF bounty was made
Mt the last session, but only and ex-
tension of time tor filing claims, 81
1 that those not informed Of the law
shall not be cut off on account OF fail
ure to apply heretofore. In the case
of pension, applications can be filed
at any time, but claims filed hM year,
after discharge or death date irou
the time Of the last papersin the case
except in case Of minors, II alet
. within five years OF the date of th'
appointment of guardian, the pen
sion will date from the time Of tn
discharge or death; in the case o
, fathers, if fled within five years o
: Juno 9Th, 1865, entitled 10 pcnsioI
!. form discharge or death.--Conne'
) Bluffs Nonparea.