The Worcester spy., 1898-11-19
Are HOnOred
by Paynlaster.
LOCAL VOLUNTEERS
Are Stirred Up at the De-
cision by Sherman.

The captains of the three Worcester
companies of the Second regiment are
suffering from the mistakes made by
the agents of the United States gov
ernment, who told them to advance
money to their men if they wished to do
So and that orders to the captains
would secure them from all loss But
Wednesday, Paymaster Sherman was
ordered by the Washington authorities
to refuse payment of any soldiers ac-
count unless that soldier was present to
sign the rolls.
That order placed the captains in a
peculiar position. They have loaned
their men many hundred dollars, and
although they have orders for their
mems pay, they cannot collect but
must produce the man Tuesday. when
Paymaster Sherman reaches Worces-
ter.
Yesterday afternoon Captains Bar
rett, Allen and Holden received the fol-
lowing telegram from Springfield:
"Paymaster viii be in Worcester
about Tuesday. Have every one pres
ent, if possible, as paymaster will not
pay on orders. (Signed), Lieutenant
Oliver Edwards"
That telegram made the captains
very angry. They were not at all back
ward about expressing an opinion, and
said that it was rubbing it In pretty
badly. Men who served in the war
found themselves in a bad financial
condition when they were mustered
out of service without receiving their
pay. Many of them wanted to leave
the city, and their captains helped them
out by loaning them sums ranging from
S5 to S100. They did this after explain
ing the situation to Colonel Weaver and
Lieutenant Edwards, who told them
that an order from the men would be
all right, and that they could collect
the sums due personally from the pay
master.
This new order from the war depart
ment places the captains in peculiar
position. They may lose several hun
dred dollars, and they are not blamed
for saying some very short things about
the way they have been used ever since
they volunteered as soldiers of the
United States army.
As soon as the telegram reached the
Worcester captains they held consulta-
tions. and late yesterday afternoon,
Capt Frank L. lien called upon Sen
ator George T. par. The captain
told the circumstances to the Gsnator
and le latter al once telegraphed to
Secretary of War Alger, asking if the
order could not berescinded or some ar
rangements made to protect the cap
tains. The senator agreed with Capt
Allen that it was unjust, and siSnlfleo
his Willingness to try to convince the
war department of that fact. Senator
Hoar. up to a late hour last night, had
not received any reply TO his kilograms
Capt. Il. G. Barrett of Co. A, said in
substance:
1T was not right to let the men leave
the service at Springfield without pay
ing them, and keep them waiting nearly
three weeks for their money. The gov
ernment claimed that the long delay
was the fault of the captains rolls
which was not so.
Many of my men were sadly in need
OF money. They had families to sup
port Some We're sick, while others
were anxious to go to work out of town
] have disbursed fully $1,000. / did this
after I was told by Lieut.. Edwards thai
it would be ell right for me to take or
ders from the men. Now l have nc
security, and it is a downright shame
/ was only too willing to accommodate
the men. This is the way we have
been used by the government in all
their dealings with us as volunteers"
Capt. Barrett mas been very good &c
the men of his command. He has done
everything that possibly could be done
for their comfort, and now there is due
him over $500 from the government, an6
he has $1,000 invested in orders. He
may not lose cent, but he has no Sc
curity whatever.
Capt Frank l.. Allen said that Lieut.
Edwards told him to go ahead and ad-
vance money, and there would not be
any question about the government ac-
cepting orders. He has advanced over
$500 Several of his men have left town
and he says that he will probably lose
over s100 unless the government
changes the order.
Il had to buy sick men of my COM
mand food.' said Capt. Allen, right
here in America, before we got down
into Cuba, where they could not, OF
did not, get it to the soldiers. l for
gave them for everything they did, OF