The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-08-17
TO GET THE BOYS HOME
GOV. LIND IS CONFERRINGs WITH
THE AUTHORITIES AT
WASHINGTON
LETTER SENT TO GEN. CoRB1N

The Governor Thinks 1t Would Be
Advantageous to All If the Men
Could Be Taken to Some Puget
Sound Port From San Francisco.
for Reasons Which He Gives
Asks for Information.
GOV. Lind yesterday sent message to
| Ad1t. Gen. Corbin, at Washington. in
| curing how many sick members, if any.
! OF the Thirteenth regiment were left at
Man1la' how many re-enlisted, If any, and
the numerical strength of the regiment
when it embarked for home.
| In reply message was received stating
that the department had wired Gen Otis
| for the desired information and that 1t
would be transmitted as soon as received.
Apropos of the return of the troops and
the mastering out and transportation of
the Thirteenth regiment from the coast
| to Minnesota, Gov. Lind a few days ago
| sent communication bearing on the sub
ject to Adjt. Gen. Corbin, copy OF which
| follows:
I have the honor to transmit herewith
| a communication recently received from
! the source therein Indicated l have
| acknowledged receipt and explained that
| 1t was in accordance with the wishes of
| the regiment and with the concurrence
| OF public sentiment in this state that
| the war department determined to muster
| out the troops in San Francisco There
| are, however, points suggested in the
IeIter Whlch are entitled to consideration,
| VIZ: the importance of getting the men
mustered out Of the service returned to
| their homes and distributed among the
| people as eXpeditously as possible after
the muster out
During the early part of the summer
l was very much annoyed from time to
time by the receipt of kilograms from
different parts of the Pacific coast from
members of the Thirteenth who had been
mustered out, for one cause or another
received their pay spent it in hospitals
or otherwise, and found themselves
stranded. AS a rule, L have sent them
transportation and brought them home,
but this entails a good deal of expense
, and continuous advance. have no
doubt that your department has had a
like experience and will have until the
DISCHARGED men reach their homes
Ii our regiment is mustered out at San
francisco and no action taken for their
immediate forwarding to this state, l am
very sure that a considerable percent
age of the men will fritter away their
money in some manner and become OBJ
1ects of charity, probably in poor health
and a source of trouble to the federal
authorities out there, as well as to this
Office
have therefore concluded to use every
means in my power to effect arrange
ments by which the regiment can be
brought home, together if possible i'm
mediately after muster out The difficult
ty of the situation is that it takes so
much money that it is going to be very
hard to make the arrangement IF the
regiment could be carried to some Puget
sound port or to Portland, either before
or after muster out without expense TO
the men the Union Pacific interests as
well as the Northern Pacific and Great
Northern have signified their Willingness
to forward them from there to this state
at a figure that can be readily raised
Is It not possible. in view Of the situa-
ton, for the department to make ar
raneements so that the regiment can be
carried by boat to the points named?
[ am also advised that arrangements
have been made by which some of the
regiments that have already arrived have
been paid off on the train en- route home
What are the facts? I think that is a
very good plan if it can be carried out
In the absence of some arrangement Of
that character. I intended to have some
one on hand when the men were paid off
to receive such portion of their pay as
was not Immediately needed and issue
certificates of deposit for the same
which might be presented and the money
drawn at some bank in the home city
OF the men, without expense to them.
Kindly advise Tne in regard to these mat
ters. with such suggestions as may be
prompted by your experience and good
Judgment