The National tribune., 1886-05-20
SOLDIERS SBOUNTIES.
Senator LOgan'S Report on their
Equalization.

the following report ON Senate bill 776, to
equalize the bounties of soldiers, sailors and
marines of the late war for the Union":
This subject has been under consideration
since the 39th Congress At this time immedi-
atcly after the close of the rebellion, it was so
well understood and the business of paying
these bounties so universally recognized that
the first bill passed the House of Representa-
tives May 25, 1861 by the very decided vote
Of yeas l39, nays 2. In the Senate this bill was
reported by thecommittee with an amendment,
and action theron was postponed by forcing 1t
to give way to the appropriation bills July 20,
1866. Congress adjourned July %, and there
was no opportunity to have it considered.
At the second session of the same Congress
the bill was again introduced and passed the
House, but was not reached in the Senate. In the
40th Congress the bill was introduced in both
Houses in all three sessions Of that Congress,
but no action was taken beyond the committee.
In the 41st Congress, second session, a bill
equalizing bounties passed the House and was
not reached in the Senate Several different bills
were presented in the 42d Congress, all with
the same object in view, but for some reason
were not considered beyond committee. In the
ADD Congress this bill passed both Houses of
Congress- and but for the inconvenience OF
the President would have become law. Some
ofthe reasons for non-approval. assigned by the
Executive at that time, were that the depleted
condition of the Treasury would not warrant
the payment Of SO large sum of money. No
such reason can be assigned at this time. The
country can well afford to meet an obligation
assumed 20 years ago, and it should not be
longer deferred,
Again, in the 44th Congress numerous bills
of like character were introduced in both
Houses. On June 20 it passed the House. On
June 20 the Senate Committee on Military
Affairs reported the bill II. T. So with an amend
ment and recommended its passage. During
this session it was called up six different times,
and finally, on March 3, 1877, the amendments
Of the committee were concurred in, but the
bill was postponed for want of time to give 1t
proper consideration.
Seven different bills relating to the same
subject were introduced In the House the first
session of the 45th Congress and an effort was
made to suspend the rules that these bills might
be considered, but it was not successful.
In the first session of the 10th Congress five
different bills were introduced in the House
and one in the Senate none Of which were con-
sidered beyond committee. At the second ses-
sion a majority and minority report were sub
mitted, the majority fayoring the bill IL. K.
$500.
Again, in the 47th Congress, first and second
sessions eight different measures were pre-
sented, each substantially having the same pur-
pose in view, but no reports from committee
appear TO have been made.
:. In the last Congress (the 4sth) II bills were
presented in the House and Senate, each seek
ing TO reach the Same result.
Your committee again permit their chairman
TO report this bin TO equalize the bounties that
It may have a fair consideration on its merits.
It can scarcely be denied that there is due the
earlier defenders Of the Union bounty which
has been withheld from them by non-action
Of Congress, as we'll as many who were mus
tered out only few days before expiration of
their term of service and thereby deprived of
the bounty.
1t cannot be denied that those who responded
90 their country's call in the early stages
Of the rebellion should receive Government
bounty equal to those who enlisted after Sep
tember, 1868. The object and intention Of this
measure is TO equaliZe the bounties in way
that each and every person who served his
country faithfully, and who can show an hon.
orable discharge for his service, may receive,
in bounty, his just DUE II is not intended TO
increase the compensation OF those who received
the limit of bounty recognized later on, but
simply TO do justice to all soldiers who by gross
| inequality in the payment Of bOunties, have
been deprived Of their just reward. 1t is a
fact that many who enlisted during the first
two years Of the rebellion have received little
or no bounty, while those who enlisted after
| that time have in most cases been fairly dealt
with in this respect.
Those who were among the first to enlist
them at the time Of enlistment. 1t is true q
very large majority of the soldiers enlisted
from patriotic motives without regard to what
bounty they were to receive, but this should
not initiate against them in the bestowal of the
Governments bounty. Governments can we'll
| afford 10 be generous in rewarding those who
come 10 its defense in tho hour of its greatest
peril. 1t can well afford to reward patriotism
when it comes TO its rescue voluntarily. 1t
can well afford TO keep its faith with the brave
| men who made every sacrifice that the Union
| might be preserved. lt is a wise policy 10 be
| honest and just with the old soldiers who re-
sponded SO promptly TO the Presidents call for
| troops.
On more than one occasion the obligations of
the Government with respect to bounties has
been acknowledged by acts of Congress. This
fact is so plain that it viii not admit of doubt
| July 4, 1864, Congress passed a law providing
| for the payment of bounties in manner sub
stantially as proposed by this bill. 1t proposed
and did pay bounties at the rate of $S.33t per
month, or 500 for the first years service, 500
| for the second year, and 800 for the third
This act applied only TO those who enlisted after
that date-July 4, 1864.
At the beginning Of the rebellion we find
that A, who enlisted and served % months or
less, received nothing whatever in bounty,
unless discharged for wounds received in line
Of duty, while Il, who served "a months or
more, received bounty at the rate Of S. 1871
per month for his service. The inequality and
injustice of this must be apparent to ALL
By this bill it is proposed to compensate by
bounty, so far as the obligations Of the Govern
ment may 20, those who were among the first
TO respond to their country's call. 1t is Just,
fair and right TO do this Nothing more is
asked; nothing less should be given. money
consideration is but small compensation to
those who rendered such valuable services at
the most critical period of our history.
Various estimates have been made as to
the amount of money that will be required
to pay these long-deferred bounties 1t is
hardly justice TO these patriots to refuse OF
defer the payment for any such reason as
this. Duty demands that the Government
keep its faith with this noble band Of Union
patriots, many OF whom slumber in the grave
which stands as a monument TO their fidelity
and bravery; to the living, whose manned and
deceased bodies speak of the fortunes and hard
ship which TO this day they endure; TO the
widows and orphans who were left alone in the
world to suffer the privations consequent to
their condition.
The sum that will be required to NEE
this obligation of our Government cannot bt
large. Whatever it may be, its distribution in
payment Of an honest debt will be the means
of relieving vast amount Of suffering amonJ
the old veterans, who can have but few year
before them to enjoy what comfort 1t may af
ford TO them.
Your committee desire to embody in THU
report and to reiterate the sentiments of the
Hon. Philip Cook, of Georgia, one of the mos
gallant and distinguished soldiers Of the late
Confederate army, as contained in his report
I II ~ H. Il