The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-10-16
MONTPELIER. VI. Aug. %. 1884.

will be seen by the following letter from Hon.
I. J. Deavitt:
MONTPELIER. VT, Aug. 90 1884.
His ENccllency, JOHN l.. BAEsTow, Governor.
DEAR SIR: The State of Vermont has an old war
claim against the United States exceeding 100000,
iii the collection of which feel an interest," COM
mon with other citizens of the State.
Such claims are adudcated and paid under the
act of Congress approved July 81 1861 by the Third
Auditor and Second Comptroller Of the United
States Treasury. part of this claim was present
ed to the Third Auditor for payment Immediately
after the close of the war and rejected few years
later through the efforts of Hon. w. G.. Ferrin,
Auditor of Accounts, assisted by Senator Edmunds,
part of the rejected portion of this claim was al
lowed and paid 10 the State. They secured think,
all that any State had received on like claims mp
TO that date. But the decisions of the Comptroller,
made from time to time upon questions raised by
the States, have enlarged the scope of the act at
originally interpreted so that claims that were at
first rejected have been allowed and paid Also,
under such decisions the States have been reim-
burscd for additional clerks and employees in the
Adjutant Generals, Surgeon Generals Quarter
masters and Commissary's Departments, and Au-
ditors and Treasurer's Offices, well as for guns.
uniforms, horses, 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 reimbursed, rs ii appears TO me for the
salaries and wages of a class of persons whose en-
ployment was made necessary by the war, i'll addi-
ton to the old claims The last attempt to collect
Nermont's claim. made several years since, was
not attended with much successit was prior to the
making of the favorable decisions named above,
and it was unfortunately placed in the hands of a
Washington attorney, who was to receive one-half
of the amount collected for his fee iii the case.
Such attorneys have very tleintluence before the
Departments and are shown about the same re-
spect the annoying guides of that city, who are
rarely admitted inside the Governmental offices
Some of tho States have had their war claims con-
sidercd at the Treasury Department 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
Government during the Ohio, S90,2i6; New
York Sd, 9a6; Michigan, SO, SAG, and Massachti-
sets, S2S,6l9
The duty of having our claim successfully pros
ecued is at once demanded when other States are
being paid their claims of the same nature as Yer
monts.
The United States Treasury bursting with funds,
and parties seriously advocating the dividing up
of the surplus revenue among the States, for the
past few years have had their effect in producing
the favorable decisions in adjudicating the States
war claims. 1t is favorable time, also, for Yer
mont to ask for reimbursement for State pay, by
which every enlisted man, in Vermont orGaniZa-
ton, received monthly payment of s., in addition
TO his pay from the United States am not sure but
the decisions of the Comptroller already include
this large claim.
You are aware that the prosecution ofsuch claims
is directly in my line of business. To have my
native State for client would be pleasure, and
would serve her faithfully with the best of my
ability.
If the State will use the fund that may be col
leeted from the General Government, in establish
ing Soldiers Home in Vermont or appropriate
it to aid INDECENT soldiers and their families will
make no charge for my services III collecting it. 1t
would probably surprise many patriotic and chart
table people to know the number of Vermont SOL
ders who in her poorhouses. Not all, even
wounded men, who merit pensions can get them.
The laws delay starves some. For others, evidence
is forever lost. The National Homes not legally
open to all soldiers in distress and, if they
were, exile from the State is part of policy.
Other States have Soldiers Homes hospitals.
Maine has Soldiers Home in addition TO the
great National Home at Togus. Last year Mas
sachusetts expended 100000 to aid her SOL
ders' poor Vermont has done nothing in this
direction since the Her liberal pay to the
soldiers ceased with the surrender of the foe. Yer
mont out of debt and rich has allowed such OF her
brave soldiers could not obtain the pensions they
deserved well to die in the poorhouse and to fill
paupers' graves. 1t pains and stains every soldier
who wore the blue.
A Hospital Home in Vermont has become a ne
cessity for our feeble and destitute soldiers. The
Grand Army, which has contributed largely to-
wards their comrades needs would hail with joy
such coadjutor Let Vermont collect her debt.
Whether she collects it not, let her provide for
her needy soldiers. They do not demand elaborate
buildings, but Comrade George ii. Bigelow says
in his Decoration Day address Give them n
building with flag on it,
Respectfully, yours
Il. ]. DEAyITT.
The GAR. of the State have taken the mat