Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1888-05-18
TIE FER DIEM PENSION BILL.
Tho Only Just Bill Before Congress.

NOmhhtto VI "nluH' ~ HHySi ~ SVWIpSe"
Of comrades Whose names and standing
are sufficient guarantee Of all assertions
they may make IN amy section Of the Un-
ion.' The Gazette WAS fully confident
united upon thi4 hill il would have become
law by The fist oi the present month.
II aavs; THE bull isso obviously juA nnl
equitable that to II III jnIty of the ve!er-
Una il conmend' itself Mt sight, but there
are always doubling Thonia-ca in every con-
gregaiIon, aud for the benefit 0f such we
append the following questions aud ans
wers :"
First dubious Comrnde-"What il the
Per Diem Service Pension Bill, nnywa!"
Anawer--"It is bill which will give to
every honorably discharged soldier, sailor
or marine u monthly sum equivalent to
one cent per d,y for every day which he
actually passed in the service Of the Gov
ernmeni."
Question--"In what way is II better than
the service pension bill giving So per mon til
to all lonorntly discharged veterans?'
Answer-"Becauso it is based on the
principal OF justice aud equity. The SOL
dier who enlisted for thirty, sixty or nine
ty days In the early part of the war, aud
served only that length OF time, will get
but 80, 60 or 90 cents per month,it is true.
But il he was wounded or contracted dis
abling disease during his time OF service
he already receives, or can get, compensa-
ton through the pension laws already on
the statute books. II lie refused TO re. ell
list, and stayed ut home after his brief
period Of service, lie found ready employ
ment at Large wages, while those who re-
mained In the field were risking life aud
limb, for the nominal sum OF Sll or Sl3
per month, which the depreciation OF green.
backs reduced from one-half to one-lhird
OF that sum in genuine currency. Then,
again, this class OF soldiers were already
III place at the close OF the war, which gave
them M immense advantage over their
comrades OF longer service who came home
TO find almost every avenue Of employment
closed ag inst them, by the growing up Of
n new generation, or the influx OF an un-
precedented Tide OF immigration. The only
other class who can find fault with the bill
are the men who were persuaded to go To
the front near The close OF The war by the
inducement Of the immense bounties then
being offered for recruits. The claims Of
this class Of men are not worthy OF consul
Grafton. They were the last to get iltI
aud the frst TO depart from, any place
where danger might possibly lnrk."
Question-"Bnt do yon not think that
many thirty, sixty and ninety days regi-
nents performed good service2"
Answer-"UndoubteJl and majlr-
iiy of the members of such regiments re.en
listed. Those who did not choose to g,
into the service for longer period hav,
no cause OF complaint, because they do no
get the same amount as men who served
months for their days. The flower of tn
army and navy was composed of the one
two and three years men enlisted durinI
the first two years of the war. They di
the marching and fighting; they made III
sacrifices aud bravely encountered the per
ils, and those who survive are the ones
be recognized by the government as EMIT
led to lar treatment TO LAY the least. &C
ing to the front IN spirit Of boyish en-
lhusasm md patriotism, they were prom
Ised many things Of which they took lIltl
heed at the time. Now, they simply as
for the same justice and liberality that Ia
long ago been shown TO the bondhoide r
who risked nothing but their precious dol
lars which rapidly augmented during, an
after the war"
QuesliOn-''If the members Of the Gran
Army are practically united in favor {
lhe PER DIEM bill, why is it that the Pen
ing the pnssage of the dependent pensio
bill,' and other members of the order al
clamorng for the eight dollars service pen
sion bill p"
Answer-"The Grand Army Pensio
Committee does not represent the G.. A. i
but as is alleged on good authority obey
the mandates Of George Z, Lemon, III
boss claim agent Of the country and pro
prieior Of a newspaper Of large circnlatio
which Is said TO have been attained by CIV
irg preference TO applicants who sent
/ Al, a,l, If
ing the same pension to man who enli.t
ed in 1861 and served until the end of I'll
war, that is paid to one who was indnce
to go TO the front by the payment Of 81 20
or 81 500 in January or February, 1856
is too apparent TO need discussion. II
this fatal discrepancy which has cause
the lukewarm support OF the eight dollS
bill by the Grand Army, most OF who's
members served from one to four year
The dependent, or 'panper' pension billi
simply n measure giving a premium I
men Of dissolute habits at the expense I
worthy veterans. II n man is 80 friendles
and iorlorn that lie has to seek refuge 1
an almshouse, the paliry rum OF $l2 II
month will not keep hIm out Of it. II
will simply have 40 much more money I
spend in dissipation. Every repu,abI
veteran can find shelter, Unnecessary in on
of the State or National homes for soldi, r
II more homes are necessary the g"vtrn
ment should build them, and keep III
promise made quarter Of century ago
Question Are not majority Of tn
people OF the United States opposed TO tn
further granting Of pensions2"
Answer-"Not in the Northern States
any rate, and probably not in the Soutl
A service pension would benefit lhe entIr
county. The government has more mon
ey than 1t knows what 10 do with. Pa,
the service pension bill Snd the none
would be diSburSed in every hamlet, vii
| Inn. ,own and oiIv ihronghn,il flo ITnin,