Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-04-12
NO. XVII.
N0m the Wheszino Times, 5y request.

From the Wheeling Times, by request.
The Pension BiIl--.Mr. Letcher and the
Old Soldiers Contrasted'
| On the Oath of December, 1868, bill passed
the House of Representatives to grant pensions
to the officers and soldiers engaged in the war
OF 1872. the bill gave pensions to the old SOL
diers of 500 for years service, $76 for six
months, and $50 for less than than six months.
The bill passed the House by vote of 180 yeas
to 7S nays. Mr.. Letcher, true to his instincts,
was one of this small minority in opposition to
this act of Justice to the old soldiers.
Mr.. Letcber was arraigned before the people
the other day for thus refusing to do justice to
the old soldiers, and the substance of his excuse
was. that the Government bad already paid
them all it originally promised them-that the
men engaged in the war not so much for money
as for glory, &c.
Now, let us try Mr.. Letcher by the same
rule he has laid down for the old soldiers. He
agreed to represent the people of the Rocking
ham district in the Congress of the Uuited
States for eight dollars a day. He was elected:
He went to Congress and served until the heel
of the 2nd session of the 34th Congress, and then
be connived at the passage of bill in violation
of the spirit of the Constitution, and which he
could easily have defeated by merely calling for
the reading OF standing rule, which prohibited
any member from voting for any bill in which
he was personally or pecuniarily interested-by
which bill he was enabled to cheat the govern.
meut out of three Motyand d0llGrs for services
which he did not render. Mr.. Letcher, 1t is
true, did not not vote for the bill on its passage.
He had not courage enough for that. But ne
permitted the bill to pass tohen he could haze pre-
uented it, and atteruards put the iW gotten nao7s-
ey into his pocket!
Here, then, we conceive, is q striking illustra.
ton of Mr.. Letcher's hypocrisy. He glories in
having used his influence against the passage OF
q bill allowing the poor soldiers, who defended
their country's honor in the war OF 1872, the
ptiful pension of $96 for years hard service In
that war, but indirectly aids in pushing through
Congress bill which enables him to put into
his own pocket $3.50 for services before he was
elected, and $3.50 more for the same before tne
session commenced making together $S,ooo
for labors which he never performed, and which
as an honest man he would have no right to re-
ceiye! And yet, with knowledge Of this
transaction yet fresh in bis own mind, his mar
row heart could not perceive the propriety OF
giving pension of 500 to the poor soldiers VINO
had risked their lives for whole year In defence
of their country's honor! >,
Suppose it true that the government had PAID
the old soldiers all it originally promised them,
we would enquire had it not done the same with
Mr.. Letcher9 lie had agreed to serve in Con-
gress at eight dollars day, and yet he did not
hesitate to accept the increased pay, and to
pocket three thousand dollars for services which
he did not renderl When the last war was un-
dertaken, the government was not as aDie as
now to do full justice to its defenders, and as
many of these old patriots are now IN destltute
circumstances, it was but an act OF justice that
they should be remembered in their hour OF ex-
tremity. Democratic Congressman can vote
land to every foreigner who will go and occupy
it. Why then should those who were willingto
sacrifice their fortunes and their lives, and whose
necessities in measure call for the Intervention
of the government, be forgottenf 1t would De o
burning shame to the nation if single soldier
in the great army of freedom should be permitted
to suffer for the comforts Of life, while members
of Congress, and cunning tricksters like MT.
Letcher, should be extracting increased pay Ior
their services, and pocketing three thousdnG o@s-
lars for work which they never performed
Let the people remember this act In John
Letchers career Let them neither forget nor
forgive his refusal to give the old soldiers the
Door pittance of nnety-six dollars for years
service in defence of their country, while ne
himself quietly pockets three thousand dollars
for staying at home, electioneering tor congress,
and attending to his own businessl