New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-19
THE MEXICAN WAR VETERANS.


AN ATpEAL FOR 4 PENSION 49, CONGRESSMAN SUR
PRIsEp THAT SUCH REQUEST SHOULD BE MADE
AT LKAsr S1O,OO0,000 A YEAR REQUIRED FOR
THE PURPOSE.
TBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE.l
WAsHINGTON, Jan. lS.-The prophecy OF certain
members of Congress who opposed the passage of
the act pensionIng the soldiers of the War of 1872,
has been fulfilled sooner than any Of them imagined
II would be- They said that it would not be a great
while before the soldiers of the Mexican War would
also be clamorng to be put upon the pension rolls.
| That was in February, ISL. Less than three years
have passed and the Mexican veterans nave already
formed a National organization. to press this very
measure upon Congress. At their Convention,
held few days ago il this city, they
unanimously adopted long eloquent, and
beseeching petitiontfor pension of SIS month for
all soldiers who served 60 days more IN the war,
and for the widows of those who died during the
war. or at any time since. When the bill for the
1872 soldiers and their widows passed the argu-
ments AGAINST il were met by the statement that it
was nearly GO years since the war; that there could
therefore be only a few survivors, ana that 1t was
small matter about which rich and generous Gov
ernrnent should not hesitate The d" few survivors
proved to he respectable army IN NUMBERS and 1t
costs g. $4,000 annually 10 paw them pensions 1t Is
incredible that there are so many genuine SURVIVORS
of the war; for they must all be octOgcnaFans but 1t
is certain that there are enough real or pretended
soldiers and soldiers widows, who have IN Some
way procured the required afidavits and got their
names on the rolls to absorb this large sum.
The Mexican war occurred thrty-iivc years later,
and as many of those who were engaged III 1t are
still in middle life, it follows that the number of
survivors must be very much greater Congressman
who have looked into the matter say that SlOOO,WO
year would be insufficient TO pension all the sol
diers of that and their widows III Is they say,
amazing that, with an empty Treasury and dimin-
ished revenue. demand should be seriously made
upon Congress for this enormous sum for the benefit
Of men who came home safe and sound from the
war, and who for their services received pay,
bounty, and land warrants, beside the honor and
consideration due for their patriotism and 1t is all
the more surprising because a large majority of the
men who make this demand are by no means in pow
erty but are in comfortable circumstances many Of
them holding profitable Offices under the Govern
ment
TIE DELEGATES TO TIE CONVENTION VISIT THE
PRESIDENT IN A BOOY-A PERMANENT NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION ORGANIZED.
GENERAL PRESS DIsPArCH.l
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1S.-The Mexican Vet
GRAMS at their meeting Saturday, agreed upon IA
memorial Congress- asking pensions for those who
engaged in that war or their surviving widows ana
children.
In accordance with previous arrangements, the Con
vention in body proceeded 10 the Executive Mansion
and arranged themselves in line in the East Room when
the President entered and was received by e1-Go7.
Herbert of Louisiana. who Marshal OF the COnVen-
ton said the members OF the Convention were glad
10 recognize him old companion -in-arms IN the
glorious and victorious battles in Mexico The Presi-
dent bowed his thanks reply, and then, accompanied
h.l ne President Convention,
from one veteran to another, shaking hands. Among
the incidents were the following:
Col Ruddoch OF Maryland asked permission 10 pin on
the Presidents the r0sette badge OF that State.
Gen. Cadwallader Of Pennsylvania presented TO the
President few humorous remarks au old coored
man named Benjamin johnson. who. during the MeIi-
can war; served Gen. SCOTS cook. One of the
veterans who President Grants class mate at West
Point, made known the fact 10 him, and brief but
pleasant conversation followed.
Among the spectators Gen. sherman, Senator
Fe,ton ana number Of ladies' Tue President and the
members of the Convention seemed to be much graiied
with the meeting. The Convention then returned 10
their hail TO resume business President Grant
lieutenant and rcgmenta quarierrnaster OF the Fourth
| United States Infantry during the Mexican war.
resolution was adopted asking Congress 10 remove
The disabilities of those who took part IN the Mexican
war but who were engaged III the late eiVl war; from
| receiving pensions.
Judge Mackey reported constitution and bylaws for
.ne government OF the permanent Asso.aton TO De
1
| nehean war and providing for Its oficrrr, mode OF
ihahaSenent, and for annual meeting M washington
Oh tbe "a DAY OF February that being one " the days
upon "hch The battle OF Bgena Vsts was fought, as
wei as peIHs tue birthday OF Washington.
Inc Convention elected The following officers for the
Permanent Association:
Pfesideni, Gen. George CadwAllader Vice President
and Counselor from each state and Territory hy secre-
lanes ana treasurer. Those representing the District
OF CCIumDIa are Cen j. ". D.irror, Vice President;
Gen. Albert Pike, Counselor, ana A. a. Kenad.y First
Secretary
Ine Convention adjourned die. The proceedings