The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-13
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.


Over quarter of q century ago tho men who
had braved the dangers of the rebellion bid their
comrades and their old battle flags farewell, to
renewiife's struggle in peaceable pursuits under
the flag Of reunited country, then starting
upon its mission Of educating the nations OF the
earth on the operations and the elevating infu-
ences of free institutions. These brave men
went home to find their trades and professions,
after four years absence, much OF 1t In the
hands OF other men. Farms were run down
under the depicting or the neglected cultivation
of others, fences were down and fence rows
grown up with briers. Stock had to be renewed;
plows and other farming implements procured.
Some had saved from their $13 per month a
small sum; others none. Everything was dear
that he had to purchase and the purchasing
worth of money was estimated by gold stand
ard which commanded an enormous premium.
With all of these difficulties. these patriotic
men, without complaint, started out to make
living fer their families and help to develop the
industrial resources of their country. They had
slept upon the ground, and eaten belly and
hard tack when they had it, and when that
could not be had mule meat, and many times
nothing and often scantily supplied; they had
starved In prisons-some OF them; some were
suffering from wounds, and most of them from
injured health in some way. 1t is an unques.
El0f16Q IacG bHdt Out lew uleQ Went through TIC
late war without having, in some way, their phys
zeal health or ability to perform labor i'm
paired.
These men were told that whatever favors
could be conferred upon them, in giving them the
best and easiest places to make living, would
be done by unanimous consent and with great
pleasure.
The government passed very liberal pension
law. but most OF these men entertained high
sense Of honor, and determined to not ask this
- lana hay aYyld
make good living and enjoy reasonable de-
gree of health and ability to continue life's pur-
suits. With the march Of years they found
themselves growing old and their hardships,
exposures and wounds began to be felt About
this time Congress concluded that time enough
had been given these men to make out their
claims, and passed q law known as the limiita-
ton clause Every one knows its provisions.
Two of my comrades, living neighbors, fled their
claims. One who applied first, about fifteen days
before the limitation clause took efect--he was
much the younger of the two-had served but
three months. The second had given over three
years hard and faithful service; his application
was filed few days later but late enough to be
cut out by this unjust law. They both were paid at
the same time. The first received 81 $780, the
second 500. I do not say the first received too
much, but say, unhesitatingly, that the second
received too little, for he was required to prove
that his disability was received in the discharge
of his duty; that he had suffered with
the same up to date, and that he had been
treated for it continuously and had kept ply
stefan on duty. Some one of the applicants was
not long ago reported, as worthless, unmer7t-
ing scamp, by some doctor whose bill he had not
the means to pay, and effort was then made to
cut him out.
Ever since the passage of this limitation
clause dutiful, deserving men have had to prove
MP their disability for from fifteen to twenty-five
years Of time, suffering and expense, for which
they have received no pay. When the issues OF
the last political campaign were made mp, both
parties declared that, if elected, this odious law
should be repealed. The stump orators who
district, dwelt with impassioned eloquence on
smattering balderdash on the patriotism, the
bravery of the men who saved the country, and
the claims due them for the battles they had
fought This was most to be heard from
votaries Of the Democratic party, whose solemn
pledge to the soldiers that this unjust and, as
they called it, odous Republican measure should
no longer disgrace the statutes If they went into
power The very first opportunity they had they
voted this proposition down, by defeating Gen.
Brownies neutrality-suspicious. pension increase.
Thsy arc now intensely excited over hediscovery
that it will bankrupt the Treasury. Does that
party suppose that every one does not know that,
if this promise was made without estimating its
cost, it was made only to catch votes, and if
made without any intention Of fulfilling it, or
that those who MAJ it were too ignorant of the
state of the Treasury and the of the gov
eminent, they are unworthy of the trust News
papers are now being filed with correspondence
from learned scribblers at Washington, stating
that it has been found out by some Senator or
some Congressman, or some Of the clerks In the
Pension Bureau, that to repeal this clause would
not only exhaust the Treasury. but impose
enormous burdens Of taxes upon the people. The
soldiers have had some experience in this kind of
talk. They have always learned that there is
not one word of truth in it. and that it is made
so that these men may have plea to make when
tk W again come before the people. Let those
kl 49,
founded on facts. 90 to the committees on diff
ferent appropriations to be made from the
Treasury, and they will there find enormous
gums set apart for government buildings in al
most every congressional dlstrict-for the i'm
provement of goose ponds and spring branches
These are demanded because members promised
their constituents that if they would send them
to Congress they would open the national Treas
ury into their districts These men, after get
ting together found that they could not do what
they had promised to do for the soldiers and
satisfy the other part of their constituents. The
soldiers being in the minority, il was thought
best to ignore this promise, so they form pool
and agree that if A will vote for BIS appropria-
ton. B will vote for AS. and so on through the
whole routine OF legislative appropriations. If
anyone doubts this, let him get ali itemized re-
port of the different committees and of the gen.
oral and specific appropriation bills This is all
we can now take time to say on this subject but it
Is only an introduction to what can and will be
said if necessary
The government would not suffer by doing
equal justice to all Of its defenders. These men
will nut long be pensioners upon it's bounty. I
for one would rather have any other charge sus-
tanned against this great, free and prosperous
aation than that of national iugratitude to the
men who gave perpetuity to the Union stability
to our institutions patriotism to our children
and honor to our name as a people.
INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. IL. j. w. HERyEY
The Eight-Hour Question.
TO tne Editor of the indianapolis Journal.
It Is entirely proper for the President and
heads of departments to pay full days wages