Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-03-12
EQuatiSation Of Bounties.

A bill to equalize bounties was passed
by congress, just in the closing hours of
the last session, not long after the war,
but failed to become law for want of the
Presidents approval The measure was
then opposed, as it is being opposed now
by the money kings. They said, as they
now say, that to pay all claims under
such an act would bankrupt the govern
ment. They clamored for the payment
of their bonds and interest thereon, and
insisted that the soldiers wait for the
amounts justly due them until the nation
should be in more prosperous condition
financially.
Not wishing to bring on a bondholder's
rebellion so soon after the close of a
bloody war, the executive gave heed to
their objections, and, as we intimated,
vetoed the measure.
This all happened something like twelve
years ago, since which time we have paid
off nearly if not quite one-half of the
national debt, including more than bill
lion of dollars in interest to the bond
holders. During all this period the SOL
diers have waited until the present, or
until death stepped in to settle the account
between the government and themselves.
The time has now arrived when beth
justice and common honesty demand that
the claims, payment of which has been so
long delayed, shall be settled. The gov
eminent is amply able to pay every dollar,
without increasing taxation or in any
manner interfering with the gradual re-
duction of the public debt The United
States were never so prosperous as at
present-never before has the treasury
been burdened with such an immense
surplus of money-and we insist that it
is the plain duty of congress during this
session to pass an act equallzing bounties,
and thus deal as justly with the men who
saved the union as those have been dealt
with who, taking advantage of the ne
cessities of the hour loaned it money at
high rates of interest and grew rich from
! its misfOrtunes
While we were at the front ghting to
MAINTAIN the supremacy of the govern
ment those who are now advocating the
repeal of the arrears of pension act and
opposing the passage of an act to equal
lie bOunties were, as class, at home
coming money out of our blood and suf-
ferings.
Nothing less than per cent interest
in gold on bonds free from taxation would
satisfy them then; now they eagerly
snatch at a chance to get 81 or per
cent on their investment in bonds. Then
they considered the government as at
their mercy financially, and insisted upon
not only their pound of flesh but the
| blood also. Now the nation is rich and
prosperous, and can, if need be, borrow
any amount of money abroad at the very
lowest rates, and their patriotism has in
creased with the financial progress of the
country.
Looking over the past, we think their
course would seem at this present time
more patriotic had they made easier
terms for their debtor when easier terms
were serely needed
All the soldiers want is that same even
handed justice and strict carrying out of
contracts which is accorded by the gov
eminent to the holders of its bonds. We
ask nothing more, nor will these who
saved the Union from disruption be sat-
isfied with less.
| To-day, as people, we are the richest
and most powerful on the earth. Our
government has given millions of dollars
in the shape Of lands to build railroads
throughout the western country.
Let every soldier or sailor write to his
senators and member of congress to vote
and advocate no repeal of the arrears of
pension act, and vote to equalize the
bounties, and for all honest measures that
will be Of interest to the soldiery; and
any senator or congressman that will not
do this, mark him as an enemy to the
soldier and his interests Let every G.
| p mot copd Sopoforc Voorboos on Il
ingalls, their thanks by resolution for the
honesty and integrity of these senators,
shown by advocating no repeal of the ar
rears of pension act. Don't delay.
CoMRADE FL. G. 3.