The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-07-17


and widows of those who died in the war. The
Republican party pledges itself to the repeal of
the limitation contained in the act of 1879,
that all invalid soldiers shall share alike and
their pensions shall begfa s5i the dGe Of disability
or discharge and not oith the date Of application
1t is true that on vote being taken in the
Upper House of the present Congress, seven
Republican Senators voted with the Democrats
against this proposition, and that two others
were paired, thus defeating it, but eoery Demo-
cratic rote against 1t, and it therefore only
shows the necessity of replacing some of the
present members of the Senate-Democrats
and RepubIicans-wbo are unwilling to deal
IS fairly with the soldier as with the bond
holder. That plank expresses the sentiment
of the country. and it is for our voters TO say
whether Congress shall be elected that viii
carry ii out.
What does the Democratic platform promise,
on the other hand?
On its face the declaration is very alluring.
it says:
The system of direct taxation known as the i" IN
teEnai revenue - is tax. ard so long the
jdto continues the money derived therefrom should
be sacredly devoted TO the reliefof tile people from
the remaining burdens of the war, and be made
fund defray the expense of the and comfort
of worthy soldiers disabled in the liue of duty Ia
the wars of the Republic. and for the payment of
such pensions Congress nady from time to time
grant TO such soldiers ike fund for the sailors
having been already provided. and any surplus
should be paid into the Treasury.
How empty this promise really is viii readily
be seen upon the examination of the party's
record during the last session OF Congress. In
another plank Of the platform it declares that
the necessity of change of administration in
national Affairs is proved by an existing sur
plus Of more than slO0.000000 which has been
yearly collected from suffering people," yet,
in spite of the declaration in the plank first
quoted-that this surplus should be sacredly
devoted to the relief of our veterans disabled
in line Of duty, and for the payment of such
pensions as Congress may from time TO time
grant-it is notorious that the party in Con-
grezs during the last session refused TO SO
devote this surplus.
Here are the proofs:
In the Senate June "a, the final vote was
taken ON the Mexican pension bill, which had
been amended SO as to grant pensions 10 every
person who for three months served on the
Union side of the war of the rebellion who has
An honorable discharge and is or shall become
disabled from any cause not the result OF his
own gross carelessness, disreputable conduct or
vicious habits, and is dependent on his own
labor for support" etc.; to increase widows
pensions 10 SIP per month; TO continue an in
valid pensioners pension to his widow or minor
children without requiring proof that his death
was directly due to his service; to remove the
restrictions as so proof in claims of dependent
parents and making the Government record of
enlistment and muster priaia Jfacie evidence of
soundness at date of enlistment"
On the roll being called there were yeas 81
all Republicans, except Butler rs. CO., George
and Lamar tAiiss.) and Ransom IN. CO; nays
81, all Democrats, except Edmunds VT and
Hawley Comm
The record in the HoHse is even worse for
there the Democratic members were in the ma
Der from Illinois, had charge of the bin and
| eloquently advocated its passage, but while the
Senate amendments SO far they related to
Mexican war pensions, were readily agreed to,
on those relating to Union soldiers he was
never able TO get vote that showed quorum
Of the House present while on a motion to
postpone the consideration of the measure to
next December, IS Democrats voted YEA and
not single Republican nay!
These are the facts and they cannot be dis
puted. In the face of such a record, the pro-
LESSONS of concern for the interests of our vet
Grams contained in the platform upon which
Cleveland and Hendricks stand cannot be re-
garded aught save mere buncombe. The
real intent is clearly to so cut down the reye-
nues of the Government that there viii be no
surplus out OF which to meet the payments re-
quired by new pension legislation, and rice
have an excuse for abolishing the internal rev.
enues entirely, and thus relieve suffering
people"--the majority of whom have no idea
that they are paying any taxes at all to the
United States.
The question, therefore, simply reduces it.
self TO this, so far as our ex-soldiers are con-
cerned:
Shall the battle for equal recognition with
the bondholders at the hands of Congress 90
, on under the leadership of Blaine and Logan,
or shall the struggle, on the eve of success be
| abandoned in Difference to the well-defned
/ policy of the men who now control the once
great Democratic party3
TIE NATIONAL TRIBUNE for its part has al
ready decided that question, and TO the best OF
its ability it VIII advocate the election oil
( Blaine and Logan as most deserving of the SOL
dier's support, and as standing on a platform
which is unequivocal in its declaration In
i favor of carrying out the Governments pledges
/ to our veterank