The National tribune., 1886-04-08
SOMETHING DEFINITE WANTED.

| been a session of Congress from which the
soldiers of the country had reason to expect
as much as from the present one.
The question of doing justice to the SOL
! diers was more of an element in the elections
at which the Members of the present House
were chosen than it had ever been before
There had come to be general popular rec
ogniiion of the duty of the Government to
do much more for those who saved its life
than it had so far done. The spectacle Of
disabled soldiers in poorhouses, of broken
down men and their families reduced to the
utmost destitution, but unable to get par
ticle of relief because of the iron-clad con-
struction of the pension laws; of men who
had given the glory of their young manhood
to the defense of the country, now virtually
begging for bread from those whom they had
protected-all this had wrought upon our
grateful and generous people, until they de-
manded change.
Throughout the North and West both-all
parties expressed themselves repeatedly
and strongly in favor of a much more liberal
pensioning of all survivors of the Union
armies. This was something that came be-
fore every convention, n,-State, Congressional
and National, without reference to political
complexion,-an invariably there was
strong expression in favor Of such legisla-
tion as would give the soldiers very much
more than had so far been allowed them.
The candidates not only for Congress, but for
every other Office, went before the people on
these platforms, the matter was continually
brought up and talked over during the CAM
paign, and positive promises made. The
gentlemen who were candidates for Congress
were naturally more profuse in their promi-
ses than any other candidates, because it
was a matter with which they had direct
concern.
Was there not, therefore, abundant reason
for expecting that this session of Congress
would do something extraordinary for the
soldier?
But Congress has been in session now over
four months, and what has been done to full
fill the manifest and earnest desire of tine
country and make all these promises good?
Almost nothing
With the exception of the passage Of the
widows bill,-a measure that was virtually
passed year ago, and only failed on account
of technicality,-thereh has been almost
nothing done, or put in visible shape for
doing, to meet the demand of the country
and the promises to the soldiers of adequate
pension legislation.
This certainly has not been for any want
of information as to what it is best to do for
the soldiers. There has been no opportunity
for the Representatives to plead lack of
knowledge as to what they desired, and what
would be required as rightfiIl and just re-
quital of their services. They have been
fully informed and by competent authority
on this head. The National Pension Com
mittee Of the Grand Army OF the Republic,
speaking in the name of 100000 ex-soldiers
and sailors, has formulated the desires of
those they represent, and these recommend
atoms have been before Congress for more
than two months. The recommendations
have received such an Endorsement from the
soldiers and sailors everywhere that there
can be no doubt in any ones mind that they
with entire accuracy the views of
the great majority of those who fought the
war through to a victorious conclusion, and
saved the Nation.
The time has now arrived when the SOL
diers Of the country and their friends have
the right to know what these gentlemen
propose to do. They have the right to know
who favors a fulfillment of the promises
made, and who are opposed to the same.
They ask, as they have the right to- that
the recommendations Of the National Pen
sion Committee be brought before Congress
in the shape of bill, and that vote be
taken upon their adoption as law.
They want vote on the repeal of the
limitation to the arrears law
They want vote on the pensioning of all
disabled soldiers.
They want vote on pensioning all pris-
orers of war who are now disabled, without |
requiring them to prove that their disability
originated from their prison-experience
They want vote on equalization of boun-
ties.
Certainly they have the right to this They
have the right to have every man who favors
these acts Of justice to them to place himself |
on record by his vote, and the contrary like
wise.
Now, gentlemen Of the Senate and House |
of Representatives., in Congress assembled,
favor the men to whom you have made these |
promises with prompt action, that they may
know what to expect. Either give them the
laws they ask for, or let them know there is
no hope for them.