The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-07-23

evidence in a given case shall be admit ted. Your memoralists are well aware | that some abuses would occur. but It IS believed that rules can be formulated
 whereby excellence and satisfactory re- | suits can be obtained.
 ] It is further submitted that the Con- | federate pension records of the several States should be used in the compilation. So far from being secondary in point Of | evidence, these records are in fact part | of the former archives and records or
 each State, and as such import verity.
 they are not, therefore, to be classed as l ordinary compiled record.
 It Is further found by your memoralists that their work progresses very slowly
 even when it is most consistently pushed, and notwithstanding they are using their | utmost endeavor they are here unable to | indicate how soon they can complete the
 work.
 Realizing the very great importance of | the work in hand, and to the end there | fore, that a better, more perfect and com plete record may be compiled, and In order that full and ample justice be done | the several states of the South and the | Confederate soldiers, as well as the Union | soldiers and the descendants of the men | in both armies, and that no criticism may | be hereafter urged against the War De- | partment, or against any one connected | with the work of the compilation, We
 most earnestly and respectfully urge and pray:
 First-That there should be no undue
 haste in publishing the proposed publica- | ton, but that all the time necessary be | given the States to complete their rosters
 as far as possible before they are placed | In permanent form.
 Second-That prior to final publication,
 the representatives of the several States.
 be given an opportunity of examining the
 proof sheets of the compilation, for the purpose of correcting errors in names,
 dates and facts therein, and that they | be also allowed to suggest corrections or l alterations, to be embodied either as foot notes or in some other appropriate way, l in the roster when published. Third-That each State may be permit ted to submit to your department It's | Confederate pension records for use in l the said compilation.
 Fourth-That your department as soon | as practicable supply to the duly appoint | ed commissioner from each State, who may apply therefor, and upon the pay | ment of lawful fees for transcription, a | check list of the rosters or rolls of the commands from said State. in order that
 the said commissioners may more intelli-
 gently direct their labors towards sup | plying deficiencies. This list need show
 nothing except a mere statement of the
 regiments. battalions, or other commands.
 with the rolls and the date of each that
 may be on file. And, finally,
 | Fifth-That in the said compilation the
 detailed record of each soldier be given | as far as possible.
 Slxth-That in each and every case
 where no roster of a command Is to be
 found, or where only an imperfect or in-
 complete roster is preserved, you will ad-
 init fo- the purpose of said compilation a compiled roster, certified by the Cover
 nor of the tSate offering the same as | carefully, accurately and correctly made
 up. and as being the only available rec
 ord of said coromand discovered and
 known to hi matter diligent search on the
 part of the commissioner or other repre- | sentative of the State charged with mak-
 in gsearch for the same.
 Your memoralists, representing in an i official way their several States. and af- | ter careful and mature deliberation and
 consultation together respectfully prefer
 the above petition. Early attention is asked, and you are requested to reply to
 the several commissioners to their ad-
 dresses as indicated below And your
 memoralists will ever pray, etc.