The National tribune., 1886-09-23
LET ALL UNITE.
1mrades, all 90 10 TOrk Tih a irM nO,0.

tion, but the empowering importance of
the matter demands that we repeat our
urgent call upon all comrades to unite upon
the recommendations of the GAR Pension
Committee.
Upon the action taken now depends most
of the hopes of securing that relief this Win
ter which will take every decrepit veteran
from the poOrhouse and place him in his
own home; which will drive the gaunt wolf
Want from hundreds of dscase-and-poverty-
stricken homes, and place food, clothing,
fuel and medicines again within reach of
every veteran and his dependent ones.
The way TO do this is so plain and clear
that the wayfaring man, though he be fool,
need not err therein. The recommendations
of the National Pension Committee embody
plan of relief at once just, practicable and
acceptable TO the people of the country. If
enacted into a law they will reach at once
and with certainty the restitution that most
loudly demands being reached at once and
with certainty. The enactment of the rec
concentrations into a law can be made sure if
comrades everywhere will, without regard
to party, unite in asking of those who now
represent them in Congress, or who aspire TO,
that they pledge themselves to support this
measure.
This is the Issue of the most supreme i'm
portance in the forthcoming election. To
veterans all other issues sink into subordi-
nation.when compared with the great duty of
bringing speedy relief TO their disabled COM
rades.
The duty Of every veteran now is to Sc
cure exact information from every Congress
man and every candidate for Congress rs TO
what his views are in regard TO the recon-
mendations of the National Pension Com
mittee, and how he proposes to vote if he is
elected. No matter what a Congressional
candidates politics may be-no matter how
closely he may be associated with the voter
by partisan affiliations-he should not re-
ceiye a single veterans vote if he will not
distinctly promise to vote for the enactment
of those recommendations into law. BE
he Democrat or Republican, Prohibitionist
or Greenhacker, Jew or Gentle, bond or
free, he should be treated precisely the same
way-that is, Intercepted categorically, and
put on record by every Post and every SOL
der organization in the District that he
represents or aspires to represent If he
will not promise to support the recon-
mendations he should be firmly denied the
support of every man who wore the blue with
honor.
1t will not do for him TO make a general
promise TO support some form of pension
legislation. This is an old device 10 juggle
with the soldiers and evade the fulfiIlment
ofpromises. A Representative who does not
want TO keep his promises to the soldiers,
shuflies out by supporting some fair-sound-
ing scheme which has not the ghost of a
chance Of success We saw this done last
Winter, when the preposterous income-tax
bill was invented TO enable certain Members
TO escape fulfilling their promises TO their
soldier constituents.
, The way to head Off a repetition of this is
by making the recommendations a political
shibboleth. Let the question be put simply
and squarely:
"Are you in favor of enacting into law the
, recommendations of the National Pension
Committee Of the GAR? Yes, or NoT
"If now Member, will you vote for bill
TO enact them? If candidate, will you
{ vote for them if you are electedr Yes, o.
, Mop"
If he has any amendments or improve
ments let him add them to them, but by al
o means vote for the recommendations them
4 selves
4 In order that every comrade may approach
his Congressman or candidates for Congress
1 pIopciiy piePaaSui VIC icPupiiSn 'hO i0Sohi
e mendations of the National Committee:
To The Honorable 1e Senator's and Representatives
Congress.
, GENTLEMEN; The undersigned respectfully rel
resent
70 That they are THE Committee on Pensions"
the National body Of the Grand Army OF the r.
y public and that this committee instituted &
= the purpose ofhsving recognized medium throuG
which the Grand Army Of the Republic of
/ cialy address the Congress Of the United States.
This committee represents constituency Of u
" ward Of 10000 veteran soldiers and sailors. w
desire 20 give whatever weight we may have. as
10 body or individuals. in favor Of such measures
we deem just which may now OF hereafter be b
fore you.
We favor legislation by which the record of Il
OF acceptance and musterin of the soldier or sail
shall be Irirna. facie evidence that he sound
Ia that timethe Government not 10 lie debarred fro
proving that he unsound at date of enlistmeI
OF but the of the proof TO be the Governmeu
eve favor giving widows the increase from SIS
." Sl2 per month.
We favor the continuance OF pension 10 4
widow or dependent relatives, whether the pc
av sioner dies from the effects Of wounds or disea
. resulting from service not.
rs We favor increasing the pension paid on
count Of minor children from 81 10 S. per mont
al and of extending the limit for minors from the
Of I6 10 IL years: and in case said minor child
IT insane, idiotic. or otherwise helpless, that
pension shall continue during the life Of said chi
Is We favor the extension Of the limit