The National tribune., 1886-01-28

suits likely 10 be achieved during this ses
sion of Congress.
In addition TO personal conferences Will
! the majority Of The Members of both House.
and the Commissioner Of Pensions, the com
mittee formulated the following embodiment
of their ideas as to what legislation should
be adopted for the soldiers at this session
and forwarded a copy of the same to every
Senator and Representative:
To he honorable tie Senator's and Representatives in
Congress
GENTLEMEN: The undersigned respectfully rep
resent
That they are The Committee on Pensions OF
the National body of the Grand Army of the Re.
pubic, and that this committee was instituted for
the purpose oflayiaga recognized medium through
which the Grand Army ofthe Republic can officially
address the Congress of the United States.
This committee represents 4 constituency of up
ward Of $4,000 veteran soldiers and sailors. We
desire to give whatever weight we may have, rs a
body or individuals in favor of such measures as
we deem just, which may hereafter be be-
fore you.
We favor legislation by which The record of the
acceptance and muster-in of the soldier or sailor
shall be prima tgcje evidence that he sound at
that time-the Government not to be debarred from
proving that lie unsound at date of enlistment,
but the OH,tS ofthe proof to be the Government.
We favor giving widows the increase from S. to
SD per month
We favor the continuance of a pension to the
widow or dependent relatives whether the PEN
sioner dies from the effects of wounds or disease
resulting from service or not
We favor Increasing the pension paid on account
of minor children from g. to s. per month and of
extending the limit for minors from the age of I6
to Is years and in said minor child is insane
idote, otherwise helpless, that the pension shall
continue during the life of said child.
We favor the extension of the arrears limit TO
Jan. ], 1855.
We favor legislation providing that if the pen
sioner left neither widow nor minor child, the
name of the dependent parent be placed on the
pension-roi from the date of actual dependence of
such parent.
We favor granting pensions TO survivors of rebel
prisons who are suffering from disability. without
requiring them to prove that such disability arose
from said Imprisonment.
We favor the following pensions:
To the men who los, both eyes, or arms, or legs
or an arm and leg, disability equivalent there
to, one hundred dollars per month.
For amputatiOn at the hip or shoulder joint or SO
near thereto as to prevent wearing an artificial
limb, $50 per month.
For amputation of leg arm, above the knee or
elbow, or amputaton near the knee or elbow
joint as to render the joint useless $40 per month
For amputation below the knee or elbow, $50 per
month.
We favor pensions TO all honorably discharged
soldiers and sailors now disabled or dependent
upon their own labor for support or who are G5
years of age without compelling them to prove at
this date that such disability from the service.
We favor a jus: and equitable equalization of the
bounties paid by the General Government
GEO. s. MERRILL,
LOUIS WAGNER
JAMES TANNER,
JOHN G.. LINEHAy
JOHN S. KOUNTz
Committee.
Here we have a platform upon which every
soldier and friend OF soldiers can stand with
perfect confidence. 1t outlines clearly what
the soldiers and their dependent ones have
the right to expect from Congress at the
present session. 1t asks nothing unreason-
able-only what is based on common Justice,
aud an honest fuIilment Of the contract
made with the soldier at the time the Gov
ernment asked him to enter its service and
protect its life from its deadly assailants.
The passage Of bill embodying these
recommendations will right a number of
serious injustices under which the soldiers
and their dependent ones have long suffered.
II will sweep away mass of annoying and
unTighte0us technicalism which has long
afflicted them. 1t will take thousands out
OF the poor houses and other charitable insti-
tutions, and place them once more in their
own homes. 1t will re-Gnite families that
have been torn asunder by the fierce hand of
need and suffering. 1t viii carry food. medi-
cines, clothing and warmth to men, women
and children everywhere, who are perish
ing for the want OF these In short, it will
do more good to more well-deserving people
than any other measure contemplated or
urged by any one.
The National Committee has done its duty
well, and now it remains for the Grand Army
of the Republic, for ex-s0ldiers generally,
and for all who wish Justice done the sol
diers and their dependent ones to do their
duty equally well. This can be done by Civ
ing every one Of these recommendations a
jealous support. Individual wishes, prefer
ences and schemes should be laid aside to
join in a unanimous Endorsement of these as
a whole. If we all concentrate upon them,
their speedy enactment into law is beyond
a doubt. Though they may not carry out
all that everybody wants, they will give
much that everybody agrees should be given,
and the immense amount of good that they
will do should silence dissent and carpins
criticism.
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE has enlisted for
the war in support Of these recommendations.
From now until they shall be enacted into
a law it shall advocate that being done with