News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1884-09-25
The Proposed Soldiers Home.

The Proposed Soldiers Home.
At regular meeting of Ellsworth
Post No. %, Grand Army of the Re
public, held September 6, 1884, the
following letter of T. j. Deavitt, Esq,
of Montpelier, VI, to his eXcellency
the Governor, under the date of Aug
ust 20, was read and warmly endorsed.
A resolution of thanks to L. j. Deav-
lit, for his patriotic efforts to improve
the welfare ofVermont soldiers, their
widows and orphans was voted. 1t
was also voted to send copy of Mr..
Deavitt's letter to each G.. A. r. post
in Vermont, with the view that some
action be taken to protect INDECENT
soldiers from the disgrace Of spend
ing their last days in poor house.
j. S. DRENAN, Post Com.
MONTPELIER, VT, Aug. 20. 1881.
HIS ErceLtency John l.. BGrStO1U, Governor:
Dear Sir.-The State OF Vermont has
an old war claim against the United
| State, exceeding one hundred thousand
| dollars, in the collection of which | feel
an interest, common with other citizens
of the State. Such claims are adjudicat-
| ed and paid under the act of Congress ap-
proved July q. 1861, by the third audit
or and second comptroller of the United
| States Treasury. A part of this claim
was presented to the third auditor for
payment Immediately after the close of
the war, and rejected, A few years lat
er, through efforts of Hon. w. G.. Ferrin.
auditor of accounts, assisted by Senator
Edmunds, a part of the rejected portion
| of this claim was allowed and paid to
the State. They secured, | think, all
that any State had received on like claims
up to that date. But the decisions of the
comptroller. made from time to time, up
on questions raised by the States, have
enlarged the scope of the act as original
| ly interpreted, so that claims that were
at first rejected have been allowed and
paid. Also, under such decisions, the
| States have been reimbursed for addi-
tional clerks and employees in the Adju
tant Generals, Surgeon Generals, Quar-
termaster's and Commissary's depart
ments, and Auditors and Treasurer's Of
fees, as well as for guns, uniforms, hOrs-
es, etc., furnished the soldiers during the
war, and as such decisions, in case of
any State, are similarly applicable to
other States, Vermont may now be reim-
| bursed, as it appears to me, for the sala-
ries and wages of class of persons
whose employment was made necessary
by war, in addition to the old claims.
The last attempt to collect Vermont's
claim, made several years since, was not
attended with much success-it was prior
to the making of the favorable decisions
named above and it was unfortunately
placed in the hands of Washington at
[ uoUuey, who was to receive one-half OF
the amount collected for his fee in the
case. such attorneys have very little in
fiuence before the departments, and are
shown about as muCh respect as the an
noying guides of that city, who are rare
ly admitted inside the governmental Of
fees. 49,. d.
Some of the States have had their war
claims considered at the Treasury De-
partment almost every year since the fall
of the rebellion, and it has been in these
cases that the favorable rulings have
| been made. Last month the Treasury
Department paid the following claims
for expenses incurred by State govern
ment during the war: Ohio, $50. PIG;
New York, S59.946; Michigan, $42 ,346;
| Massachusetts, SIS, 6l9.
The duty of having our claim success
| fully prosecuted is at once demanded
when the other States are being paid
| their claims of the same nature as YER
mont's.
| The United States Treasury, bursting
with funds, and parties seriously advo-
eating the dividing up of the surplus
revenue among the States, for the past
few years, have had their effect in pro-
ducing the favorable decisions in adjudi-
eating the States war claims. 1t is a f;l-
vOrable time, also, for Vermont to ask
for reimbursement for State pay by
which every enlisted man, in Vermont
| organization, received a monthly pay
ment of sew en- dollars, in addition to his
pay from the United States. l am not
| sure but the decisions of the Comptroll-
er already include this large claim.
You are aware that the prosecution of
such claims is directly in my line of bus
mess. To have my native State for a
client would be a pleasure, and | would
serve her faithfully with the best of my
ability.
If the State will use the fund that may
be collected from the general govern
ment in establishing 4 Soldiers Home in
| Vermont, or appropriate it to aid indi-
gent soldiers and their families, l will
make no charge for my services in col
lecting it. 1t would probably surprise
many patriotic and charitable people to
know the number of Vermont soldiers
who are III her poor houses. Not all,
can get them. The laws delay starves
some. For others, evidence is forever
lost. The National Homes are not legal
ly open to all soldiers in distress and,
even if they were, exile from the State
is no part of our policy. Other States
have Soldiers Homes or hospitals.
Maine has Soldiers Home in addition
to the great National Home at Togus.
Last year Massachusetts expended over
100000 to aid her soldiers poor. Yer
mont has done nothing in this direction
since the war. Her liberal pay to the
soldiers ceased with the surrender of the
foe. Vermont, out of debt and rich, has
allowed such of her brave soldiers as
could not obtain the pensions they de-
served so well, 10 die in the poor house
and to fill paupers' graves. 1t pains and
stains every soldier who ever wore the
blue.
a Hospital Home in Vermont has be-
come necessity for our feeble and des-
titute soldiers. The Grand Army, which
has contributed largely toward their
comrades needs, would hail with Joy
such coadjutOr. Let Vermont collect
her debt. Whether she collects it or not
| let her provide for her needy soldiers. |
They do not demand elaborate buildings, |
but as Comrade George ii. Bigelow said
in his Decoration Day address-"Give |
them building with flag on it,
Respectfully yours,
Il. j. DEAVITT.
The North american Porie,r for OctO-