Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1886-01-08
SOLDIERS, CLAIMS.

In estimating their claims the people should
take into the account the nature Of the contraC,
and all the circumstances in the case. The
goid, or lis equivalent, and offered in addition
100 acres ef land as a bounty. Besides the
payment Of these sums the government prom
ised TO support those disabled and their families
by pension. These were fair promises. How
were they metz The government paid between
So and SO per month. Cheated the soldier out
Of oue-half Of the pny promised. Then the
bounty act required each soldier 10 10 out into
the wild tracts Of land and become an actual
settlerb before he could receive clear title.
Not one soldier in a hundred could go. BY this
proviso in.the bounty net nirety-nine soldiers
in hundred were cheated out Of the l 90 acres
Of land promised. How is it about the pen
sions This act is disgrace To civilization.
When a soldier enlisted be went before a board
of doctors to prove that his body was sound.
After lie came out Of the service pale faced,
broken down in health, gasping for breath,
scarcely a shadow Of his former self, he must
go befure another board Of doctors to prove that
his diseases came upon him after his enlistment
and bring o certificate from the surgeon OF the
hospital where suffered. and some fellow sold
ier must testify when, where aud how lie got
burt.
IL yon have patience, and are not addicted TO
swearing, just look at these entang lements Of
Of the pension act. On his enlistment the doctor
says to the sergeant, take this man, his body is
sound, put his name on the roll. When he
asks for pension, this soldier comes before
another doctor who says. pull off your coat.
After piuching his flesh, squeezing and punch
ing an hour, moro or less, the doctor says, l see
you arc badly smashed mp. So he gives this
candidate for pension paper certifying that
James A., came before this medical board and
after duo examination we found that one leg is
an inch or more shorter than the other that
tho knee Joint of the other leg is somewhat stiff,
of order. We found a small scar on his hip.
lie says hs was hit by u sharp-slooter and the
bullet WAS never taken out. But we couldn't
find anyother signs of It except the scar. 1t is
our opinion that this soldier ought to have q
pension. James A, sends this certificate to his
pension Agent in Washington and after watt
ing six or eight weeks receives note that the
quires that substantial proof mnst be given
that these disabilities were the result of actual
service after enlistment, and that he wants an-
other $40. before he can prosecute the case
further. James A. hunts up doctor No. 1 who
tsslifss TO the sOundness of his body ON his
enlstnent, encloses an X and sends again to
his agent who. after three or four months sends
a note that hc must give certificate frOm the
hospital surgeon and ono or two OF his fellow
soldiers; that he mHst have another $40 to
pay expenses. James A. tries 10 find the sur
geon of the hospital and a fellow soldier who
know all about his war history, all 10 no pur-
pose. They are either dead or gone beyond his
home. SO after irving to get a pension for
some tro years. James A. gives up the chase,
minus some $40 or $50.
by this process one half or more Of those
who ought 10 receive pension are cheated out
"fi IL. with time aud money hard earned. To
| rectfy and IN some measure 10 make amends
| for these wrongs, let Congress so amend the
| pension act that each soldier who has received
an honorable discharge shall be entitled to a
pension according to his necessities. and that
every one OF tho afore said soldiers. whether
he may have received a pension or not, shall
DO put on the r. tired list with half pay, to-wit
eight dollars per month. and shall be entitled
to 100 acres OF land. secured by u land warrent
and warrentee deed free from all encumberan-
ces. BY such enaciments the government will
be able TO pay the soldiers Of the Union Army
Just wbat they promised 10 do and nothing
more. The American people will na permit
the brave men who fought 10 save the nation TO
be cheaied ont Of their Just dues by monopoly
The claims oi the soldiers can aud must he met
u. A.