The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-08-24
URGED
$40 PER MONTH
FOR SOLDIERS

| N"N' Sihee time close touch has
been had =" 80 men at the border and
with the dion OF their families and
depende : Information came from
both So s OF such character that ID
was very apparent that something must
be done to relieve the situation quote
again from Colonel Reeves letter. 'Tha
condition we have TO meet here is not
one OF future need, but present need,
| Ihre is hardly a day goes by but that
some soldier comes TO me with informa.
ton that his family is in need These
men are too proud TO ask for charity
and | do not think they should be re-
quired to. Unless something is done very
! shortly It will be very difficult to induce
any OF these men to again offer their
services. ii nothing is done until the
regular session of the legislature, | am
quite sure that you will find with the re-
turn of the regiment that there will be q
great deal of hard feeling
after consultation with some Of the
state officers it was decided that COM
mittee be chosen TO work out some plan
.of relief. A committee consisting of
representative OF each military company
was chosen and met in Montpelier three
times discussing plans and obtaining in.
formation as to the needs of the families
and dependents of the troops. Nothing
was left undone by this committee with
the end in view of bringing about imme
diate relief. but the information obtained
indicated that approximately one hum
dred and fifty families were in need of
assistance which would necessitate the
responsibility Of raising and distributing
a large sum OF money and meant the as
sumption of a responsibility altogether
too large for the committee to handle
without some authority from the legisla-
ture.
1T is true that the war department
provided for the discharge of men that
have dependents, but need to saw no
more than that patriotic pride and red
tape make this form Of relief impractic-
able, And as to the possibilities of re-
lief in the way of an appropriation by
Congress, it is too vague for discussion
and too unsettled to suit our patriotism
The length of time our troops will be
kept in service is uncertain. General Til
lotson says: All information which I
have at the present time indicates that
our troops are likely to be held in the
federal service for several months at
east, but / have no definite adviees as
20 this Colonel Reeves writes that In
spite of all statements to the contrary,
am satisfied that the troops will be
iown here for some time | do not think
here is any likelihood of returning be-
ore the first of January
I'm 1861 and again in 1898 special ses.
ions were held to consider the same
'roblems mat we are met here to-day to
onsider. The session in 1851 made a
cry liberal provision for the assistance
f the dependent relatives of the enlisted
1en and provided for pay in addition TO
hat received from the government The
ession of 1898 provided for additional
ay for the enlisted men but did not
royide for dependent relatives While
he conditions under which the men en-
sted for these two wars were somewhat
ifferent than those under which our
-oops have enlisted in our present trou.
lie, so far as the men and their families
re concerned the situation is similar
nd the need of assistance is as great
ow as then, with living expenses much
igher, Our patriotism and love of coun
". | am proud to say. is equal if not
etter. in my Judgment, than at any
me in the history of our state and I be
eve We are going to meet this emergen-
7 with the old-time spirit and in a bus
esslike manneF.
There are several plans upon which
e can work. and the question of which
the best to suit our present condition
leave to your consideration and good
dgment | believe we should provide
+ the payment of ten dollars per month
7 each enlisted man who now is or who
ay be enrolled in our National Guard
7 service on the Mexican border or
ch other military service as the presi
MT may demand, in addition to the reg.
ar federal pay, and that it be limited
its operation to the period between
e date when the National Guard en-
red the federal service June 10, 1916
d the convenine of the next regular
ssion of the legislature. by which date
e situation may be cleared up so that,
rther action will not be necessary.
Il believe in addition to the above we
ould provide for the families and !
your very careful considera-
m of plans worked out by the com
ttee above mentioned.
HAVING CdifeH 10 your attention Lle
siness for which we are convened. the
of these important matters
in your hands, and may Your action
commensurate with the interest that
'mpts the deeds of all good men in
les of this kind, and may your delb-
tions be confined to the business for
ich you were, called % consider. and
trolled by a wholesome desire to act
ely and to adjourn as early as you
sistently can
When the House re-convened after the
1t assembly Mr. Smith Of st Adams
v expressed the desire TO expedite bus
5 and moved to amend rule 81 SO
{ no bill or resolution could be con
red except such as came within the
pc Of the governors message. Mr.
Ith of Barre City thought the men at
front ought TO have the right to vote
re and favored the rule which would
nit action on that subject.
hen the St Albans Smith expressed
view that the rule would not pre-
/ such action but added that in anv
it the rules could be suspended. If
.ssary. The motion was adopted.
e being many nays on a viva voce
For Pay Of Members.
Ms providing for the pay of the sol
!. the care of their dependents and