The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-12-24
Republican DupIiCity--Thsy Shout

Republican DupIicity--Thsy Shout
"rhe Poor Soldier" on the Stump
but ON the Floors of Congress, They
Oppose the Soldiers Best interests
Interesting Extract from Congress
ional Record.
When a republican congressman 10 TO De
elected, and during the campaign, the
amount Of love the average republican
has for the soldier is truly wonderful.
The republican stump orators will tell
what the soldiers have done for the coun-
try, how their deeds should be remember
ed BY the people, etc. They will hold up
tho MANNED soldiers, picture their noble,
natriotic deeds, and then close by telling
how they 1.-THE republicans have always
stood up for the country's defenders, and
with great eloquence portray the ab-
solute wretchedness, and numberless evils
that would befall the poor soldier, under
democratic rule, To show our soldier |
friends, and all others how absolutely |
false are these republican trimmers, how
hollow is their promises and the utter fal-
sity of their claims to favor, we quote be-
low an abstract from the Congressional
Record of Dec. l3 1878. The Pension APP
preparation Bill was called up and the
house went into committee Of the whole
for its consideration. After reading Of
the bill, the substitute from the Appro-
priation Committee was read.
Mr.. Towpshend, (Dem.) of Illinois said
l offer the following amendment That
section 4717, of the Sevised Statutes be,
sud some is hereby repealed.
Mr.. Smith, (Rep.) of PENN make
the point of order on that amendment
n let the section be read
Mr.. Towushend, (Dem,)''T have here the
section referred to | ask
the clerk to read it.
The clerk read as follows:
SEC. 47l7. No claim for pension not
prosecuted 10 successful issue within i've
years from the date of filing the same
shall be admitted without record evidence
from the War or Navy Department Of the
injury or the disease which resulted in the
disability or death of the person on whose
account the claim is made: Provided,
That in any case in which the limitation
prescribed by this section bars the further
prosecution of the claim the claimant may
present, through the Pension Office, to
the Adjutant- General of the Army, or the
Surgeon-General of the Navy, evidence
that the disease or injury which resulted
in the disability or death of the person on
whose account the claim is made original
ed in the service and in the line OF duty;
and If such evidence is deemed satisfacto,
~ by the officer to whom 1t may be sub
mitted, he she'll cause n record of the
facts so proved, to be made, and a copy Of
the same to be transmitted to the Com.
missioner of Pensions, and the bar to the
prosecution of the claim shall thereby be
removed.
Mr.. Smith (Rep) my point of order ii
that this is new legislation aud not in thu
direction Of economy
Mr.. Townshend (Dem) l am surprised
that the gentleman from Pennsylvania
representing as he does the republican
party, the Wanted friend of the soldier
should raise question of order upon tina
section Of the revised statutes. 1t is tina
section which has flooded the house wit
bills of relief for pension applicants VIII
are deprived of meritOrious claims by tn
section l desire repealed. There wer
eighteen hundred such bills introduced i
the last session, and the chairman of th
committee on Invalid Pensions, informs II
very large majority of them have bee
brought here in consequence of that sectio
Smith, CoDger and other republican
opposed.
Mr., Townshend (Dem.) concluding sale
As American citizen and democrat,
am proud of the fact that since the DEM
cratic party has obtained ascendancy
the house there never has been any oil
struetion made by them to the passage
any bill recommended by committees NAL
ing appropriations for soldiers.
The only obstruction have found in til
congress has been interposed by the r
publican side Of the house.
Smith Of Penn, Conger, of Mich Hal
OF Maine, and other truly oil" republ
cans opposed Townsheud's amendmel
and it was temporarily defeated on trivi
point OF order.
But though temporarily Defeated, Il
democratic majority in the house, it is e.
pected will yet pass the amendment r.
Deallng the obnoxious section of the sta
ute. Where is the great love for the so
der shown in this matterp There is r
exageeraiion in this statement, it is Of
clal The truth is as the democratic part
has claimed, that the only true friends Il
soldiers have are on the democratic sid
and it will not be great while either b.
fore this fact will be clearly demonstrate
republican is friendly to politician
nothing that is not beneficial to republica
ideas and for the good of the party
Republican promises, like their boaste
deeds in the interest of the soldiers al
mere mockeries. The only true party t
day is the grand old democratic party, al
10 1880 it will rise in its strength and hu
from power the party who has brougI
disgrace on the country. plundered ii
treasury OF millions of dollars, and new,
kept solitary promise ever made. An
we wish to say to our republican friend
too. that when in 1880 we elect our pres
dent as we surely will IN power in or n,