Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-12-07

ganized charities, exclusive of those
in soldiers homes under the direc-
ton and control of the Government.
Only 13 per cent. of these are pensioners,
while OF the entire number of men furn-
ished for the late war something like 20
per cent, including their widows and
relatives, have been or are now in the re-
ceipt of pensions. The American people,
with q patriotic, grateful regard for u
ex-soldiers too broad and too sacred to be
monopolized by any special advocates, are
not only willing but anxious that equal
and exacting justice should be done to the
honest claimants for pensions. In their
sight the friendless and destitute soldiers
dependent on public charity, if otherwise
entitled, has precisely the same right to
share in the provisions made for those who
fought their country 'sbattles rs those bette.
able through friends and influence to push
their claims. Every person that is granted
under the present plan upon ony other
grounds than actual service, and every
instance of the many in which pensions are
increased on other grounds than the merits
of the claim work an injustice to the brave
and crippled, but poor and friendleSs
soldier, who is entirely neglected, or who
must be content with the smallest sum
allowed under general laws. There are
far too.many neighborhoods in which
are found glaing cases of inequality
of treatment of the matter of
pensions, and they are largely due to a yield
ing in the pension bureau to importantly
on the part of those other than the pen
sioner who are especially interested, or
they arise from special asts passed for the
benefit of individuals. The men who
fought side by side should stand side by
side when they participate in a grateful
nations kind remembrance. Every con
sideration Of fairness md justice to our ex-
soldiers, and the protection of the patriotic
instinct OF our citizens from preservation
and violation, point To the adoption of n
pension system broad and comprehensive
enough TO cover every contingency, and
which shall make unnecessary an ohjec-
tionable volume of special legisla-
ton. AS long as We adhere TO the prin-
ciple of granting pensions for service and
disability as the result OF the service, the
of pensions should be restricted
TO cases presenting these features. Every
patriotic heart responds to q tender conSid-
Grafton for those who, having served their
country long and well, are reduced to dcs-
titution and dependence, not as M incident
of their service, but with advancing age or
through sickness or misfortune. We are all
tempted by the contemplation of such a
condition TO supply relief. and are
impatient of the limitations OF.
public duty. Yielding to no one
in desire TO indulge this feeling
Of consideration, ! cannot rid myself
of the conviction that if these cN-
soldiers are TO be relieved, they and their
ment under which relief may be claimed rs
a right and that such relief should be
granted under the sanction of law not IN
To il. For should such worthy OBJ
jcctS of care, all equally entitled, be- re-
mittcd 10 the unequal operation OF sympa-
thy or the tender merCles of social and
political influence with their unjust dis
The discharged soldiers aud
sailors of the country are our fellow citI-
zcns and interested with us in the passage
and faithful execution of wholesome laws.
They cannot be swcrvcd from their duty
of citizenship by artrul appeals to their
spirit of brotherhood born of common peril
and suffering, MOI will they exact, rs n test
of devotion To their welfare, n willingness
Ia neglect public duty in their behalf.
TIE PACIFIC RAILEOADS.
The Secretary of the Interior suggests a
change in the plan for the payment for the
Indebtedness of the Pacific subsidized roads
To the Government. His Suggestion has
the unanimous endorsement OF the persons
selected by the Government Ia act as direc-
tors of these rOrds and protect the interests
OF the United States in the board of direc-
ton. In considering the plan proposed
the sole matters which should be taken
into account, iii my opinion, are the situa-
ton of the Government "a a creditor and
the surcst way 10 secure the payment Of
the principal and interests of the debt. by
a recent decision of the Supreme Court OF
the United States, it has been abjudgcd
that laws of the several States are inopera-
tive To regulate rates of transportation
upon railroads if such regulation inter
fcres with the rate of carriage from one
State into another. This important field
ofcontrol and regulation having been thus
left entirely ~uHoccupicd. the cNpcdieDcy
of federal action upou the subject il worthy
Reconsideration.
THE LABOR QUESTION.
The relations of labor and capital and of
Iaboring men 10 their employers, are Of the
utmost concern to every patriotic citizen.
When these are strained and distorted un-
justiiiable claims are apt 10 he insisted up
by both parties interested, and in the
controversy which results, the welfare Of
all and the prosperity of the country are
jeopardizcd. Any Intervention OF the
Government, within the limit OF
its constitutional authority, TO avert
such a condition should be willingly
conceded. In a special message, trans
TO the Congress at its last SEES
sion, ! suggested the enlargement Of
our present labor bureau and adding
to its present functions the power OF arbitra-
ton in eases where difference arise between
employer and employed. When these
differences reach such a stage "a to result
in interruption of m between the
States, the application Of this remedy by
the Government might be regarded ~ en-
within its constitutional powers, and
I think we might reasonably hope that
such arbitrators, if carefully selected and
if entitled to the confidence OF the parties
10 be effected, would I've voluntarily called
10 the settlement Of controversies Of less
and not necessarily in the domain
If Federal regulation. am Of the opinion
hat this suggestion is worthy the attention
IF the Congress; but after all
mas been done by the passage Of
avs, either Federal or State, 10 relieve a
situation full Of solicitude, much more. re-
mains to be accomplished by the rc~instate-
ncnt and cultivation ofa true American
sentiment which recognizes the equality |
IF American citizenship. This, in the
light of our tradition and in loyalty TO the
,pIrit ofour institutions, would teach that
/ hearty corporation on tine part Of all in
.erests is the surest path 10 national great
and the happiness Of all our people;
hat capital should in recognition Of the
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