Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-03-06

/ the country by the government state and
| federal is essential to the welfare of the
people. The policy of protecting the people
against their power, and exactions is recog-
ed and enforced by all the governments in
which law prevails over arbitrary power.
! The committee, while recognizing the neees-
sity for reasonable limited control of the teie-
graph companys decides there is doubt of the
propriety of the government assuming the
ownership and entire management of them.
The House committee on military affairs
have reported favorably gill to remove, in
certain cases, the charge of desertion from
the military record of any soldier who served
during the late civil war, where the rolls and
records of the Adjutant Generals Office show
such a charge TO exist.
The percentage of soldiers who in the
prosecution of pension or bounty claims find
this blot upon their records is very large,
and the percentage is equally large of those
whose desertion was merely failure 10 be
mustered out in accordance with military
rules, and hence attaches no ignominy, but
technically only that is troublesome when
they seek TO secure pensions or bounties.
There are upon the calendar of the House
committees upwards of four hundred bills TO
remove the charge of desertions in individual
cases, all of which have been laid upon the
table in the expectation that this general bill
will pass. As many more are before the
Senate but will be rendered unnecessary if
this law is enacted.
The bill provides that the Secretary of
War is authorized and directed to amend the
military record of any soldier who served in
the late war, where the rolls and records of
the Adjutant Generals Office show the charge
of desertion against him, when such rolls
and records, or other satisfactory evidence
show the facts set out in any of the follow
ing cases;
First. That said soldier served faithfully
the full term of his enlistment and left his
command believing that his service was COM
pleted, and that he was entitled 10 his dis
charge
Second. That said soldier having served
for six months or more, and until the first
day of May, ammo Domini eighteen hundred
and sixty-five left his command believing
that he was entitled to discharge because of
the close of the war.
Third. That such soldier left his com
mand, or a hospital, with or without leave, !
and was prevented from returning before the |
muster out of his command. by reason of "A
wound injury, or disease incurred in the ser !
vice and line of duty.
charge of desertion was entered on the rolls, |
voluntarily returned to his command, within |
a reasonable time or as soon physically /
able, and served faithfully until discharged |
Fifth. That said soldier left his COM
mand with proper authority, and not being
able To return because of sickness, and hav /
ing no knowledge of any charge of desertion
against him, was arrested and returned to his
command by a provost marshal, and was re-
stored to duty by his officers, without trial or
punishment, and served faithfully until dis
charged.
Sixth That said soldier having left or
been separated from his command by no
fault of his own, and after the first day of
May. 1868, was unable to rejoin the same by
reason 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 intend
ing to receive any pay, bounty or reward not
incident to his proper service, joined anoth
er command and continued faithfully TO per
form military duty the full term of his en-
listment.
Eighth. That said soldier served faith
fully with his command for six months or
of service and not being mustered out or
notified of his assignment to another com
mand, remained at his home mp TO the close
of the war without arrest or molestation.
Ninth And in all cases where there is no
real purpose of deserton, or to evade militia
Iy duty or danger; or to receive additional
pay, reward or bounty; or where the charge
is shown To be incorrect in fact.
In the House TODAY. Breckenbridge of
Kentucky introduced bill to declare
trusts unlawful and to admit certain i'm
ports duty free. whenever combinations or
trusts attempt to limit the production or raise
the price of said articles
The democratic members of the ways and
means committee have completed
an internal revenue bill, and will sub
NIT it to the committee tomorrow when the
bill will also he present. The reduction pro-
posed will amount to about S25 5000, ,000 and
is taken from tobacco and fruit brandies.