The National tribune., 1886-04-15
WRITE LETTERS.

A reminder Of promises made during the
campaign viii do a great deal Of good in
bringing a Member of Congress into the
proper frame Of mind as regards pension
legislation. A good strong letter from each
Of his soldier-constituents, recalling his pro-
iession OF friendship for soldiers during the
time that he was seeking their votes, and
pointing out how little the present Congress
has done for the soldier, viii have q powerful
effect in stimulating action upon matters Of
vital importance to the defenders Of the
country,
1t is high time that such letters were writ
ten from every Township, from every School
District, from every farm and workshop
even, in the North and West to every man
who represents them in either House Of
Congress.
What is imperatively needed is that it he
imrressed-and at once-upon the minds of
Senator'S and Representatives that the SOL
jiers Of the country arc in earnest upon this
subject, that the diIatory, eyasive, do-nothing
course Of Congress is highly displeasing to
them, and that action Of some kind isrequired.
The season Of rromise-m making is over and
gone; the season of fulfilling is at
hand. Let every man, in every part of the
country, who feels genuine friendship for
the soldier, express this fact in personal let
ters 10 his Representative and Senator, and
ask of them to move at once and earnestly
to secure the legislation that was so layishly
promised the soldier when the present Con-
gressmen were candidates before the people.
II this is done with any degree Of unapi-
nifty, the result is certain. Congressman
only need 10 be made TO understand that
the soldiers do not intend to be put off any
longer with fair promises, but must begiven
something tangible or know the reason why
it is refused them. Let them be asked TO
put themselves squarely On record-and at
the earliest opportunity for or against
the recommendations of the National Pen
sion Committee Of the GAR, and come be-
fore the people for denomination and re-
election on that record, and not upon a
mouthful Of fair promises.
That the comrades may not lack for in
formation when writing, we reproduce the
of the National Committee
on Pensions:
To The Honorable The 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-
public, and that this Committee instituted for
the purpose Of having q recognized medium
through which the Grand Army OF the Republic
can officially address the Congress of the United
States.
This Committee represents a constituency of up
wards of 3IJ 600 veteran soldiers and sailors. We
desire to give whatever weight may have a
body individuals, III favor OF such measures as
We deem just, which may now or hereafter be be-
fore you.
We favor legislation by which the record of the
acceptance and rnusteT-in of the soldier sailor
shall be pFilad tdcC evidence that he was sound at
that time-the Government not 10 he debarred from
proving that he uDSouad at date of enlistment,
but the onus of the proof TO be on the Govern
ment.
We favor giving widows the increase from IS to
So per month.
We favor the continuance of pension to the
widow or dependent relatives, whether the PEN
soner dies from the effects of wounds or disease
resulting from service not
We favor increasing the pension paid on account
of minor children from s. to s. per month, and of
extending the limit for minors from the age of IS
10 Is years; and IN said minor child Is insane,
idiotic otherwise helpless that the pension shall
continue during the life Of said child.
We favor tEe extension Of the arrears limit to
Jan. J. 1858.
We favor legislation providing that if the pen
sioner left neither widow minor child, the
name of the dependent parent be placed on the
pension-roll from the date of actual dependence
Of such parent.
We favor granting pensions 10 survivors of rebel
prisons vino suffering from disability, without
requiring them to prove that such disability arose
from said imprisonment
We favor the following pensions:
To the men who lost both eyes, or arms or legs,
or arm and leg, or disability equivalent there
TO. SicD per month
For amputation at the hip or shoulder joint, so
near thereto as TO prevent wearing an artificial
limb. $50 per month.
For amputation of leg arm above the knee or
elbow, or ampuatlon so near the knee or elbow
Joint 10 render the joint useless, $40 per month.
For ampUtatiOn below the knee or elbow, $50 per
month.
We favor pensions to all honorably- discharged sol
diers and sailors now disabled or dependant upon
their own labor for support or who 65 years of
age, without compelling them TO prove at this date
that such disability arose from the service.
We favor a just and equitable equalization OF the
bounties paid by tie General Government.
GEO. 5. MERRILL,
LOUIS WAGNER,
JAMES TASEEE,
JOHE c. I!NEHAN,