Mr. SCHENCK. The ComMilAffrs have instructed me to make a report in reference to another construction of law by the War Dept. The committee submit. in connection with the report, a JtResolution giving construction to the law in relation to bount ies payable to soldiers dischasged for wounds. I ask that the report be tea. The report was read, as follows: The ComMilAffrs. to whom was referred the JtResolution for the relief of Hans Seivers.formerlya private in companyA. 14thregiment of Iowa VOIUHIP tinfantr: and the papers relating thereto. have had the sameunder conSideration and report: That they find the facts in the case of the petitionci to be as follows: the said Hans Seivers enlisted asa privatoin companyA. 14 thregiment Iowa volunteer infantry and was musteredinto service in November lRliZJccciving in advance 25 dollars of thenlttll bounty provided bylaw at that time. On thellth of May.1863.while standingguard at Cairo. Illinois. he was wounded by the accidental dischargeof a gun. caused by the falling of a stack ofarms near his bent. By this injury hesutfered the total lossof his left hand mnd on this account hewas diseharged from serviceat Jefferson barracks. missouri, about July 13.11. Ho afterwardsap lied for the 75 dollars remaining unpai of his bounty but his claim was refused. the pay aster General deciding that “under the act of L arch 3. 1&5. he is not entitled to the bounty claimed. it an pearing from the evidence that the who u nedausing the discharge was not theresult of hostilities actually going on at the time.” The committee were not able to comprehend how such a construction could be nut upon the law bytho aeconntin and disbursing officersof the Government as would deprive the petitioner. under the circumstances of his case.of the uniiid remainderof his bounty. The committee are of the opinion that the case is one coming clearly within the saving provision of the 4th section of March 3. 1865.an they do not understand how the language of that section could well have been made broader or more general fur stiuoenhtoputhrpeoPsney.m Waistthert General. fothr eayn emxapdlaenaaptpiolinca of the grounds of his decision in this and similar castes. The result of this inquiry wasthat such limitation of the benefitsof the ow was not in accordancewith anyjudgiuent or constructionof its meaningby that officer himself. but that he decided under what be conceivedto be the controlling authority of a letter of instruction on this subJectfrom the proper officer of the Treasury Dept. A copy of thntletter was furnished to the committee and is as follows: TREASURY Driuiirurs r. Sse osn conrraotasns OFFICE. Mai 16. 1865. Sin: In construing the 4th sectionof the act of March 3. 1855.in relation to calling out the national forces.(13Stiitutes.48ti.)it isnecessarytobearin mind that to entitle a soldier to bounty. the wound for which he may be discharged must bea direct result or necessaryincident of his iuilitnry service. He is entitled to the bounty of his full term. if he be dischargedby reasonof “ woundsreceivedin bat tle. on skirmish. on picket or in action or in the line of duty." but it mus the in the line of his duty as a soldier. not in the peacefuloccupationofa citizen. An enlisted man acting as blacksmith and kicked by a vicious horsewhile shoeing the animal is not entitled to bounty on discharge for an injury thusre ceived. Nor is a soldier who is ussistingto make a bridge and is woundedby the rolling of a.log upon him. entitled under the law to bounty. These injuries are as likely to happen to a citizen as to a SORIiOl.il!ladre by no means the woundsfor which bount is awarded. The wouni s for whichbeunty is provided mustbe the consequence of hostilities actually goingon at the ttiamckes.owfhgeutchrreirllains. battle or by firing on pickets. nt &c and any injury receivedunder such circumstances.of sufficientgravity to causethe soldiers discharge froni the militaryservicc.isawound within the meaningof the law. Very respectfully.your obedient servant J. MaSBeRcoOnDdl(iE.bAmDp. lroller. Hon. E. B. FRENCH.2ndAuditor Treasury. Oficial copy:. W. BRICE. Paunuuler General. Ruled. February 8. lSoiS. Without commentonwhat they cegard as the very nnsatislactor and illogical reasoningof this letter of the Secon Comptroller or on the innptness of the illustrations by which he se cks to sustain that rea soiiin. the committee have concluded to propose such claratory legislation as will removea I doubt on the subject. For this purposethe accompanying jointirssolution is introduced and its passagerecommen c. the jtResolution was read, as follows: Ifcsolved by the Senate and HoRep. That the true intent and meaningof the words “ or in the line of duty.“ used in the 4th sectionof the act approved March 3.1865e.ntitled “An act to amend the several actsheretoforelpassedto provide for the enrolling and calling out of national forces and for other purposes."requires that the benefit of the provisionof said section shall be extendedto anyenlisted man or other person entitled by law to bounty who has beenor may be diseharged by reason of wounds received while actually in service under military or ders.not at.the time on parole or leave of absence. nor Quilted in any unlawful or unauthorised act or pursui