The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-01-16
Gen. Conroth,s Pension Bill.

The following has been handed as for
publication, saws the Somerset Democrat, by
one who, when our country needed brave
men at the front, was among the nFst 70
buckle on the aTmor OF war and volunteer TO
fight his country's battles lie IS gentle
man of intelligence, and having calmly view.
&c the subject upon which he writes N all
of its various phases, he Is able TO express
the opinions and make the explanations that
he does in this article. The opposition press
of the district, apparently, catch az every
straw in their effort 20 injurc Gen'l Cohroth
with lis constituency, and thus asSail him
without cause and reason as they have done
in relation TO his pension bill. But the no
! ble-hearted and hOnOrably discharged sol
diers, many OF whom hear wounds and SUI
fer disabilities that are fastening them = an
early grave, do not endorse these uncalled
for attacks upon man who has ever proven
himself TO be the soldiers friend They
rather adopt the views of ''Fess, and with
him express the opinion that such attacks are
unwarrantable and injurious only TO the
party making them:
notice In the Somerset Herald Of Dec. 51st an
article, copied from the Tyrone Herald, unfairly
erticfsing the pension bill recently presented IN
. Congress bv Gen1 Cofroth, and which has been
referred TO the Committee on Invalid Pensions.
The author OF the srti-le in question evidently
did not read the Dill OF olse he has purposely mis-
represented its provisions.
lst The bill does not repeal any oi the provisions
of the present pension laws. Every soldier can
apply under the laws a. they nov stand and u he
can comply with the strict regulations Of the pen
department. and meet All OF it, technical OBJ
ections in the course Of years he viii oe granted
md Genl CoHroth's bill purposes to tesr down
the barriers that now prevent the necessltous or
poor soldier from getting q pension beiore ne
starves TO death. Genl Coffroth proposes that
justice shall be speedily done thi clRss oi soldiers
I by ms King the proof simple and easy 10 acquire,
IN order to have their placed On the pension
roll. he cuts up by the roots the red tape Of the
pension department, and provides Tor the kind OF
proof IN these eases.
eessitoue circumstances, destitute Of the common
comforts OF life. who suffering from injuries
diseases contracted. while IN the army, and Whe
cannot get the PROOF required by Tie commissioned
Of pensions. These men are not "vagrarts" :" they
were brave ana good soldiers, who slept in swamps
and marched through the marshes, and fingered
in southern prisons, where they contracted die
. eases which were only felt by them when they re
turned TO their Northern climate, and from " nich
they have suffered until they are broken down in
health and unable 20 make their living by manual
labor. Many OF these soldiers II not all, are poor
men. and pension given them viii provide foi
: the common necessities Of life.
The class OF soldiers designed TO be relieved by
this ball the affidavit OF commissioned
- y, ,,,
+ Inahc olit thelE c-scs cen CgdToJh comes 10 th'
relief OF this class This bill does not give then
pension because they are In necessitous circUm
stances but 70 they are it only simplnes the mode
Of proof. The soldier who is not il ueecsE itou
circumstances can ale his application under tht
presenl 10 ana u ne can furnish the requires
evidence, he will BE- granted q pension The bil
expressly provides for this in the 4t section Whei
u says: this act shall not De construed 20 inter
fere IN any way with pension applications now oI
hle or HERzhyTsE TO Al PILED under the pension
Gen. Coffroth has proven hin-eIft 20 be the nru,
years has he striven 20 I've Of 20 them. but b
, made record or friendship FOR them, AMI OF use
tulness TO them. during the var, that the man
benenciaTics cf this Congressional district will
: member during their whole lives. Gen. Coffro.l
is not Il eoady 10 so-cslled greatness, nor 70 Ia
: money powers, but ne seeks 10 be Of to thos
in humble circumstance= and who tread the pr
Ystc walks o. life True TO the instincts ana act
, Of his whole life IN his uew pension bill he eI
! deaycrs 20 provide for the poor. The edftors
The newspapers who are politically opposed q
him, ard who make it . bUsiDess 10 prate Of loyR
y. tut who are always found in opposition
every biil that advocates the interesJ OF the so
dier,iIusy utter their falsehcods and misrepreseu
him, bus 10 will avail nothing
There are g number OF journals In this C5ugres
scnal district that unstintei IN their abuse
General Cutfruth. yet observe that the InCr,-
ls Yl1ed by said journals the better p stands ~
!ore jhe cofnmuni'y anu u General Cohrot
7Elts 20 make sure OF reelection lie has but
hire certain newspapers in this district % oppO
[ him
I, II conclusion. VIII slate that / not inte
- ested pecunarly IN General C0ffrotb's bili-beir
now the perstOu-TOll OF the GoFeruIneat for ID
Z highest rate allowed tor my class Of wounds-n
= am la hcnetc tcy OF General CcfLroth in sny sen
. of the word; but soldier and as : pe
= sicner, cannot calmly read -ils and untruthn 4
. abuse = solcicT's friend such IS know Generi
7, Cohroth 20 be without entering word Of protes
SoHEEsEE. JAZZ. 5, lsss. EEss