The National tribune., 1886-08-05

an Invalid daughter, unmarried, who Is also a
Another daughter also un married remains In the
family to for her mother and sister far she
can. There are then three persons 10 provide for,
and IL will be that allowance OF so a
month would be entirely insufficient for that pur-
pose, insufficient to feed and clothe and house the
persons and pay for the medical attendance of two
invaliis. II an allowance of only SO a month be
made the support of these three persons will fear
nave 20 De PROVIDED Tor 70 some extent Out OF the
contributions by the soldiers of Vermont who
would not the family of the hero Of Gettysburg
in want or in the poorhoase.
Gen. Stannard wounded the field ut
Getty sburg by the side Of Gen. Hancock near the
time the latter wounded; and he wounded
five times anerward losing his arm at Chapin's
farm Gen. Hancocxs widow voted a lump
sum OF s. 0o0 year, and with no evidence brought
TO the attention of the House that Mrs Haneock IS
not person in the full possession Of her physical
faculties and in every respect IN good health.
Therefore say guided by this precedent, il is
asking too much for Us to ask the provided in
the Senate bill
Now one word as to the action of the Committee
on Invalid Pensions, which do not wish 20 be
understood as in any way eriticising Ia accord
with the rule they have adopted OF only allow
ing $50 to the widows of general officers, the
amount in the Senate bill has been reduced 10 that
figure.
1t seems this rule was a necessary and whole
some for them. They reported this amend
ment to the House. which was agreed TO. and now
refuse to recede from their position. This Is an
exceptional case in every way, and do not believe
the members Of that committee and Of this House,
touched as you all must be with generous sympathy
for this hero and for his invalid family fail TO rec
ognize this a case where you may well cease 10
longer insist upon that rule, but that on the facts
as above stated different rule may properly be
adopted by the House and this larger sum be
granted this poor woman, who will not be likely to
long remain to need IL.
Mr.. Matson 1nd.):
After all Is said in behalf Of these gallant
and their stricken widows it IS a matter of favort-
ISM matter OF pure favoritism on the part Of the
House to give one widow 500 a month and to give
another a much smaller amount. The House has
tolerated the practice OF giving month To the
widows OF general officers. IL has been done in
many cases. That is what should be given TO the
widow Of Gen Stannard, under the circumstances
Of the case, because she needs IL. III she did not
need 1t she ought To have more than the general
iaV gives TO the WIDOWS OF oulcers oil TINS rang
have no doubt, for 1 remember We'll 70 have
heard Gen. Stannard during his lifetime speak Of
the fact that his wife an invalid and had been
upon her bed for years unable 10 leave il. know
that as well as know any fact OF which have no
personal knowledge.
But, Mr.. Speaker, wish If can to impress upon
the House the importance Of this legislation Some
gentlemen will say this IS a that ought to be
passed and that il would afford precedent for
another case that is not precisely like it in ali re-
spects. In response say that II is not true state
ment Of the facts Ii will be used for precedent in
the case OF every other general officer whose widow
applies for pension for increase Of pension,
because they ali could show less Of antry
in the discharge Of their duties while in the service
Therefore If hundred dollars a month IS given to
this widow il will not be long before 10 viii be urged
that the widows Of all general officers who are
now receiving $50 a month should be increased 70
Il SlOO a month. and on the same ground.
/ Gen. Stannard had pension during his lifetime
I OF slS per month. That pension increased
| from $50 to SiS by act of Congress, the appca-
/ ton being made at my suggestion. That increase.
| in my opinion, was rightfuliy given, because he
had lost his arm above the elbow, for which he re-
! ceiyed pension Of $50 a month. and he had five
| wounds, 1 believe in one leg, besides two three
others; think eight wounds in ALL insisted that
he should make personal application to Congress,
because under the law he could get but so My
friend from Alabama 8Ir. Oates think joined in
/ that request. / remember well he had something
10 do with it, because he admired Gen. Stannard
But he could only get for himself sf5 month dur
ing his lifetime, and yet it is proposed here 70 give
his widow Sl0O month
Mr.. Grout:
As / said, until Gen. Stannard was appointed on
the soldiers roll Of this House in the eth Congress
owing to his indrm health and the invalid eondi-
ton of his wife they were helped By the soldiers d
the State After be got this position that with his
pension combined, was sufficient TO give them the
means of living.
The House refused TO reeede from its amend
ment, and further conference was ordered
On Monday the Senate, finding the House
memorable, yielded, on motion Of Mr. Blair. and
the bill was passed, fixing Mrs. STANDARDS
pension ut $50 per month.