Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-06-29
GREENE FAVORS
EXTRA STATE PAY
FOR GUARDSMEN
And This in Addition to What
ever U. S. May Do, Says
Vermont Congressman.

Washington. June Eff present plans
prevail, the House tomorrow morning
viii he asked TO pass n Joint resolution
drafting the national guard into The mill
tary service of the United states because
of the Mexican emergency. This Is in
pursuance of the law laid down in section
i'll or the army reorganization act, APP
proved June 3 as means of fedcralizing
organized militia. If this Joint resolution
passes In Congress-, the Vermont National
diuard will. on order of the President, be-
come part of the federal army for the
time being and he paid and maintained
by the federal government on the basis
OF the regular army pay and allowances.
There has also been discussed here I'M
ofiiciallY the idea of bringing before the
House soon proposition that the secre-
tarN of war ne allowedan appropriation to
pay in his discretion not more than $50
q month to dependent families of national
guard soldiers during cmcrgencv service
Whatever Congress may do think the
state should at least follow the precedent
of tho wars of 1861 and 1895 and vote from
its own treasury pay to enlisted men in
addition to pay from the federal govern
mcnt and perhaps other allowance be-
sides. For that matter. if the present
call Of the national guard means the alb
sence of soldiers from civil employment
any considerable time, additional pay
should be granted by the State even If
actual war service does not follow. What
ever the federal government does, Yer
mont should do something for her SOL
/ dier sons. too
Both allowances will never cover
! q if los
men and their families by reason OF
their service. 1t is true of course. the
state should administer it's funds witt
prudence at all times and observe rea.
sonable limitations in expenditures
and taxation. am not urging senti.
mental extravaganza for the mere pride
Of sentiment itself. But the principle
! involved in this exhibition of either
! soldiers willingness to the last full
measure of devotion" is above pettines,
Of day books and ledgers in very
grave serse. Men willing to risk life
limb and health for country should not
/ be obliged to make serious economic
sacrifice beside. when countless more
men are put to no personal sacrifice a
all and yet share in all the benefit.
of heroism Of others.
| Nor do | believe the families of sol
diers should he put to double sacrifice
of the risk of loved ones and possible
endurance of want and distress. also
! Just because the man Of the family is
patriotic
At this time, in all emergencies OF
this character 1t is not the duty OF
every man to bear arms for his coun-
try. hut ! believe those who do not
are willing to stand their share of the
cost in some way and make their pro.
portionate sacrifice for the flag. even
If it is no more than paying few pen.
MES in extra taxes Moreover. | dc
not believe that either federal or State
aid to soldiers families should go tt
them as an act of public charity, but
as recognition Of the highest right
Under present conditions | think the
state should help the federal government
in appropriating for her own soldier
sons in the field by giving them some
part of their support and that of thei'
families. to maintain the states own dig
nifty Of affectonate motherhood Of brave
men. New Mexico, South Carolina
Mississippi, and all the rest cannot b.
expected to he more generous through
the federal treasury to Vermont mel
willing to die for their country thai
Vermont is. herself. through her own
That was Nermont's spirit in 81. be
lieve shat spirit is with US now, or els
Memorial day has been observed for
half century without sincerity. Yer
mont boys in the field to-day are no
, responsible for the emergency tina
, brought them there. but many have L
nav the cost of It in something beyon'
the value of money.
have not yet lost my memories H
Chickamauga in 1895 nor forgotten no
much of aid and comfort to sufferin
soldier boys there the timely and wis
expenditure of little money could hav
+ been our boys in the field to-day | al
, sure, will not be permitted to underg
, those same needless privauons and hare
ships through any mistaken notion of
! bookkeeping account with the federi
, government. They are out boys still
even if loaned for a time to Uncle San
If this question is brought before I'll
Vermont LEGISLATURE. as YOU suggest
may be. | have the utmost confidence m
, kinsmen at home will be as generousl
soicitous for the welfare of the Vernon
:, soldier in the field as that soldier will /
= true to the patriotic traditions of the oil
mother State, herself
FRANK l.. GREENE.