The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-12-13
Senator Ingalls, and the Arrears Bin.


In our issue of last week, under the head
of the soldiers g Friends and Foes" we took
occasion to refer to the distinguished serv-
ices rendered our veterans By Senator John
A. Logan, of Illinois. In another column,
this week, viii be found an extremely inter
esting interview with another friend of the
soldier-Senator John J. ingalls,. Of Kansas
in which he gives expression, in the most
convincing and patriotic language, to his
views II regard to the merits Of the arrears
of pension bin, and reasserts his determine
ton TO use his utmost endeavors to secure its
passage at the present session Of Congress.
In his speech at the great Reunion of Kan
sas soldiers at Leavenworth, last October, as
was duly chTanicled in THE TRIBUNE, Sen
ator Ingalls, announced his purpose TO intro
duce at the opening Of the present session
of Congress bill 10 amend the arrears Of
pension act by striking from it the limita-
ton clause as TO the date Of fling claens
under ii, and it is proof of the sincerity and
fidelity Of the man that this bill stands to-
day Number One on the Senate calendar
There was a special appropriateness in the
offering of this bill by Senator ingalls,. since
ii was he who, in the last Congress, boldly
challenged the Opposition to the principles
Of the arrears bill 10 face the Issue, by NOV
ing the adoption of resolution declaring
that the act ought not to be repealed
Tt viii be seen by reference to this inter
view that Senator ingalls, goes to the root o.
the principles involved in the arrears o
pension legislation, and, with unanswerabIe
logic, proves that it rests squarely upor
! equity and justice Instead of being as hai
been charged By such interruptions journals
as the New York Sun, departure from
sound public policy, he shows conciusiyeI,
that it is. on the contrary. simply reaiiirma
ton Of the just and fair Interpretation of tn
terms Of the contract which the Government
made with its defenders that was express
ed in The early pension laws. Tt is cleal
from his reference to these laws, that from
the first the Government recognized I'll
right of tie soldier disabled in its serv;c
/ to draw q pension from the date when hi
disability was incurred, and that in assun
/; ing, as it did IN later legislation, to FIX an
; other date as the time from which be shout
! draw pension, the Government was guilt
) Of an attempt TO eyade the conditions Of il
own contract-a breach of faith with lis e1
soldiers, which, had it yentured it in its dea
ings with the bondholders, would have pr
voked instant and overwhelming conden
nation So far, indeed, as the naked que
ton as to whether or not by the terms
the contract between the Government an
the soldier, the latter is entitled, If di
abled, TO draw pension from the date
his disability-the time when the debt
the Government to him began to run-h
y statement Of the law and the facts must
regarded as conclusive by every reasonah
aad patriotic citizen.
, and not less forcible are the argumen
. which Senator ingalls, presents to prove til;
aside from the question of the justice
Sc the bin itself. It's passage is desirable
be grounds Of public policy. lie points 0
be that the effect of the original bin was L
h only 10 relieve The necessities Of our disati
y veterans, but 10 stimulate the prosper
w Of the country at large; for the money viii
OF it put into circulation, at time when 0
st industries we're paralyzed and The shadow
at a panic hung over the land, entered
E rec,ly into the channels of trade, and, by I
nd operation of natural causes. brought abe
zee q quick revival of business and manuf
lg lures Of every description.
70 The reference which Senator ingalls, NAL
st. to the hue and cry about pension flauds
y. a:nios. cruel ia It's sarcasm. and his allusi