The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-05-08
Let the soldiers Voice BE Heard.

So far as the Republican party is con-
cerned, the canvass preliminary to the choice
of q candidate for President is practically
over; yet upon whom that choice viii fall is
still matter of profound uncertainty. At
present the contest would seem to lie be-
tween President Arthur and ex-Secretary
Blaine, but neither has succeeded in secur-
ing the number of delegates necessary to
secure his nomination on the first ballot
and, as has been the case so frequently here
tofore, ii is more than likely that the coz
test viii result in the selection of a compro-
mise candidate This VIII be the soldiers
opportunity, and he should not fail 10 take
advantage of it. Like all others, the editor
Of THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE has his per
sonal preferences, but he would gladly sac
rifice them if only the nomination could be
secured thereby of some statesman who
would be true to the soldiers cause and
faithfully represent his interests, and he
knows from the letters which he has re-
ceived from ex-soldiers in every section of
the country, and including members of both
political parties, that there are many others
of the same mind. This is not the result of
any weakening Of faith in party principles
but il is due to the conviction that the lead
ing politicians of both parties have shame
fully neglected the interests of the soldier
and thought TO make sure of his support by
means of profuse but delusive promises
Our ex-soldiers are not the fools the poll
ticians take them to be. They have watched
the course Of Legislation during the past few
! years with sharp and attentive eyes, and it
has not escaped their notice that despite the
numerous bills introduced in Congress to
secure the recognition of their claims, the
relief actually accorded them has been of tri-
fling consequence and far short of that which
they demanded and which was solemnly
promised them. They have seen, too, that
not only have our Lawmakers failed TO make
good their pledges, but that in the admins
tration of the law a shameful indiher-
ence has been displayed to the rights of
the soldier. We say it with profound
regret, but it is fact that can no longer be
overlooked that the present Commissioner
of Pensions, Notwithstanding he is soldier
himself and has always proclaimed himself
ardently attached TO the soldiers cause, has
signally failed to fulfill the rosy promises
which be made upon assuming Office. A
Joyous confidence filed the hearts of our
Z comrades when he announced his intention
/ to put speedy end to the exasperating de-
lay in the adjudication ofpension claims, and
! il grewsti1 stronger when Congress readily
voted the large sums Of money which he said
| he should require; but as the first and then
/ the second year went by with scarcely any
appreciable improvement in the business
Of the Pension Office the same technical
rules being enforced that had so aroused
public indignation against his predecessor
and the strange spectacle was presented of
the Commissioner turning over to the Treas
ury unexpended millions of the appropria-
tons which he had 50 urgently demanded as
necessary to the satisfaction of the claims he
proposed to allow, this confidence in his in
tentiOns on the part of our ex-soldiers ma
turally gave way to doubt and distrust, and
finally TO open and positive disbelief. They
pointed to the 100000 claims that were still
1 pending, the cast-iron rules of evidence en-
forced against the claimants, the unnecessary
and grieyous delay to which the Commits
sioner's system ofspeciaI examiners subjected
them, and, with Senator Hoar of Massachu-
sets, they did not hesitate to denounce this
pension tragedy as reproach and disgrace
to American legislation and American adj
ministrationl
Now, such being the existing state ofthings
and such the sentiments of our ex-soldiers
in regard TO them, it is clear that they ought
TO spare no effort, not only to secure the
nomination Of patriotic and upright men to
Congress, but TO bring about the selection by
both political parties of candidates for the
Presidency, upon either of whom, III the
event of his election, they could rely, to see
that the pension laws, instead of being mis-
interpreted as they now are, were construed
in accordance with their real intent and pur-
pose, and who in his annual messages to
Congress would not ignore, as the present
incumbent has done, the righteous claims OF
the Nations defenders If We are to have
a soldiers candidate this year, our veterans
must now forego all personal preferences
and bring their united influence to bear