The Portland daily press., 1888-03-06
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL,
Relieving Brave Veterans Of the
Stigma of Unjust Charges.

the House committee on military affairs has
reported to remove charges of desertion
against Union soldiers in certain cases pro-
vides that thelSecretary of War be.authorized
and directed to amend the military record of
any soldier who served in.thellate war,where
the rolls and records of iAdjutant Generals
Office show the charge of dese-tion against
him, when such rolls and trecords, or other
satisfactory evidence show the facls set out
in any of the following cases:
First. That said soldier served faithfully the
full term Of his enlistme mt and left his command
believing that his service was Completed ana that
he was entitled to his discharge.
Second That said soldier having served for
six months or more, and until the frst day oil May
ammo domini, eighteen hundred and sixty LETT
his command believing that he was entitled TO
discharge because of The close of the war.
Third. That such soldier left his command, or
a hospital with or without leave, and was pre-
vented from returning before the muster out OF
his command, by reason OF wound injury, or
disease incurred in the service and line OF duty.
Fourth. That said soldier, after said charge OF
desertion entered on the rolls, voluntar ily re-
turned to his command, within reasonable time,
or.as soon as physically able, and served faithful
Fifth. That said soldier left his command with
proper authority, and not being able to return be.
cause of sickness, and having no knowledge of
any charge of deserton against hin, was arrested
and returned 10 his command by provost marshal
and was restored to duty by his ofncers, without
trial or punishment, and served faithfully until
discharged.
separated from his command by no fault of his
own and after the first day of May, eighteen
hundred ana sixty-fye was unable 20 rejoin the
same by reson of its muster out of the service.
Seventh. That said soldier having left or been
separated from his command by no fault OF his
own, and being unable TO join the same by reason
of circumstances beyond his control, and without
receiving or intending to receive any pay, bounty,
or reward not incident to his proper service,
Joined another command and continued faithfully
to perform military duty the full term Of his en-
listment.
Eighth That said soldier served faithfully
with his command for six months or more, and un-
til the same was mustered out of service; and not
being either mustered out or notified of his as
sgnment to another command, remained at his
home up to the close of the war without arrest or
m0estation.
Ninth. And in all cases where there is no real
danger; or % to receive additional pay, reward or
bounty; or where the charge is shown to be in
correct in fact.
Postal TeIegraphy.
The Spooner bill to regulate Interstate
telegraphy was reported by Senator Reagan
today from the conmittee on post offices and
post roads. 1t is intended by the committee
as substitute for various measures referred
to the committee having in view the estab-
lishment of postal telegraph system. The
Spooner bill practically applies the provision
of the interstate commerce law to the tele-
graph companies The report which accom-
canies the bill says: "The wise and conser-
vative regulation of the great corporations
and monOpolies of the country by the gov
ernment, State and Federal, is essential to
the welfare of the people. The policy Of
protecting the people against their power
and eXactions is recognized and enforced by
all governments in which law prevails over
Nhsan fnn
ognizing the necessity for reasonable and
limited control of the telegraph companies,
doubt the propriety of the government as
suming the ownership and entire manage
ment OF them.
A Scheme for Commercial Union.
In the House today, Mr.. Hill of Illinois,
introduced joint resolution for the promo
tion of the commercial question with Cana
da. 1t was referred to the committee on for
eign affairs The resolution provides that
whenever it shall be duly certified to the
President that the government of Canada
has declared desire to establish a CONNER
cial union the United States, having uni
form revenue system, like internal taxes to
be collected, and like import duties, to be i'm
posed on articles brought into either country
from 9th er nations with no duty upon trade
between the United States and Canada, he
shall ap point three commissioners to meet
those lik ewise designated to represent the
governm ent of Canada, to prepare plan
for the arrangement of the import duties and
internal revenue taxes of the two countries
and the equitable division of receipts in COM
mercial union. The said commissioners
shall report to Congress.
To Declare Trusts Unlawful.
In the House today, Mr.. Breckenridge of
Kentucky introduced bill to declare trusts
unlawful and to admit certain imports duty
tempt to limit the production or raise the
price of said articles.
Notes.
An internal revenue reduction bill has
been completed by the Democratic members
of the ways and means committee. 1t will
be laid before the full committee on Tuesday.
Randall's tariff bill is nearing completion
and will be made public in day or two.