The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-16
PENSION VETOES.

The administration and its friends are grow
ing very impatient with the veterans of this
republic, and have no time to waste with
them The rule now is to veto all claims for
pensions. The President has been applauded
for the reason that he has seen fit to veto bills
passed for the relief of veterans who have not
been able to technically establish their claims,
but who, nevertheless, are as much entitled to
relief as any men who ever served their coun-
try in war. There are thousands Of men,
doubtless, who are deserving Of pensions, who
could not substantiate their claims in accord
ance with the requirements of the govern
ment, interpreted literally. This is not to be
wondered at when it is taken into considera-
ton that there were a million men in the field.
1t was impossible to keep accurate account Of
struggled through the war without giving up,
only to die at the end of the war, or to carry
with him the disabilities that he received, with
out q murmur. And now, because such
man has no ''hospital record" and was too
proud and patriotic to make complaint or give
up, it is ruled by the President that he will
veto the claims of all such, by which means
he expects to make capital for himself as a
''reformer" There are papers narrow enough
and mean enough to praise him for it, and he
is to-day in the enjoyment of the regard of a
certain few who do not favor anything "irreg-
ular," even though it may right wrong of
years standing Only the other day, COM
mittee of veterans called on Congressman Nor
rison to get hearing in behalf OF some bill in
their favor, and were insulted for their pains.
Mr. Morrison, taking his cue from the Pres
ident and the party of his choice, cannot
appear to be favoring the idea Of pensioning
the veteran. The press of that party has
taken up the cause of the congressman, and
do not hesitate to berate the men who had the
temerity to call in the interest of their rights.
The Louisville Courier-J ournal says eff the
Grand Army person who wanted to make
three-hour speech to Mr.. Morrison had hired
hall, and captured Mr.. Morrison on some day
when Congress was taking holiday, all would
now have been sunny between the two veter
ans" 1t was 'person" who had presumed
to address the gentleman from Illinois. He
is requested to ''hire hall" when he wishes
to get a hearing there. The veteran in the
White House does not want to be bothered by
such things. He has decided to veto the SOL
dier-boy claims, and there is no time to fool
away listening to the petitions of the veterans
who have not the honor of being Democrats.
Mr.. Morrison is too busy in his schemes to
tear down the tariff to think Of giving any of
his precious time to the consideration Of the
person who used to be known as the Union
veteran. Democratic reform is moving at a
rapid pace, and has already disposed Of that
vexatious question of what shall be done with
the Union soldier. The administration is too
much engaged in other things-the Lord
knows what-to give any Of its valuable time
to these things. The boy in blue who inquiries
about his rights is blandly advised to hire
hall