The National tribune., 1884-01-17
A CALL FROM KANSAS.
Congress Petitioned to Establish Soldiers Home
In that Elato

Congress Petitioned to Establish 4 Soldiers Home
in that State.
In the United States Senate, on the 9Th inst.
Senator Plumb, of Kansas, presented the fol-
lowing petition, signed, as he stated by more
than 10000 ex-soldiers, representing over one
thousand regiments and seventeen States and
Territories. The petitioners are now residents
of the States of Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska and
Kansas. the Territories of New Mexico and
Wyoming and the Indian Territory:
AN APPEAL FOR A SOLDIERS HOME IN KAN
S4S.
To tie honorable ne members ofthe Senate aud House
Of Representatives. IA Gof9reSS assembled;
Ne. your petitioners, representing every reGi-
ment, of all arms-aFiiiery cavalry and infantry
and every man-of-war that participated in The
defense of our country during the war of the
rebellion, 10000 ex-soders and sailors now
residing in the State OF Kansas, and hundreds of
thousands at present in Colorado New Mexico
Arkansas, Missouri, Nebraska Iowa and the In
dian Territory forth the fsct that hundreds of
former comrades in arms, disabled by wounds
received and diseases contracted while in the
service OF their country are IN u helpless cOndi-
ton dependent upon the labor Of their wives and
children, burden to those whom they should sup
port, or upon charity they cannot accept without
humiliation. for the simplest necessities of life
Many of these men, by reason of the length of
time which has elapsed. the loss of important
papers or the death OF those who could have fur
nished the necessary proofs, cannot hope TO
establish their right to pension and if they could
the character OF the original would cntitle
them TO a pittance so small rs to furnish ade-
quate relief; the influence OF time toll and pain
upon Tie system, weakened by wounds received or
disease contracted in the service, being con-
sidered IN the award
As an example, we cite to the case of GreenviIIe
Meade, late private of company f, 1lSth Illinois
infantry. OF Fort Scott recently deceased. After
twenty years of suffering, and six years of entire
heiplessneSs. during which he confined 10 the
house, wholly dependent upon the labor of his
wife, he died IN real poverty and the day after his
death the notice came that he had been granted
pension of 81 per month.
Such cases might be multiplied by hundreds
throughout this Western country The reason
why they abound here is readily understood;
when the discharged soldiers returned to their
homes they found the places they had occupied
filled by Others and conscious that they would
have to compete with those in sound health thew
moved to the West, where competition would be
less and the opportunities greater But The hard
ships incidental to a new country increased their
iniirmities, and at last they are lett in poverty
with no prospect Of adequate relief unless the
Government, IN whose defense they risl1ed every
thing and lost so much, shall come to their help
and furnish them home wherein the few years
OF life yet remaining may be spent while they
listen for the call that shall summon them from
the pain and pcnury they have so long endured.
We send you this appeal the more checrfully
because we know you are not strangers to facs set
forth. and in the past Congress has recognized the
right of the soldier and sailor who barred his
breast for his country in the time of her peril to
just reward for the service rendered and the nju-
rics received
We have seen with pleasure the order of the
Secretary of War providing shelter and food for a
mule that worn out in the public service, and
know that every true man viii say, The soldier
who the effects of disease contracted in the
prison pens OF the South, in the aFduous cam
psligns of the war, or the injury resulting from
wounds. IS no longer able 10 work, is justly entitled
to SHELTER and foed."
We plead for those who cannot plead for them
selves their heip.essieSs renders them silent and
love Of their country seals them lips against eolE,-
p.sint ". e. sssiocgLEY
Chairman of Committee on Soldiers Horne
FoRT SCOTT. KAN.
The petition was referred to the Cesnsaistee
OH aIi!it..ry A.s.lirs