Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-10-25

now reported TO the House which they cnsose to
do Not Republican member upon that floor
win make the slightest objection to a fair con-
sideration Of any measure for the relief of the
brave men who saved this co nfry from disrup-
ton, and who made it possible for US to enjoy
the prosperity which surrounds Us; who in fact
gave US the OVERLOOKING treasury which now
causes so much needless alarm and which would
be speedily relieved OF portion OF its surplus
were justice done them Let every man who wore
the blue during the late war, then. understand
that the Democratic party alone is responsible
for he failure of Congress topass measures for
their relief. 1t is highly probable that yielding
to the growing demand for the enactment OF fu-
ture pension legislation. they will consent to the
passage of some of the more unimportant bills;
but ii seems equally certain that no time will
be set apart for the discussion OF such meas
ures and consideration OF such bills only as
they selecs will be allowed. and this only on
suspension days, when no amendments can be
made, and when debate is practically cut OF.
SENSELESS TwADDLE.
A great deal has been said OF the liberality Of
our Government in providing for its able de-
tenders, and their widows and dependent ohil-
dren- Again and again we are pointed to the
appropriation of S. 100000 in q single year for
the payment Of pensions as proof Of this. This
is misleading and aot altogether fair. The
Commissioner Of Pensions shows in his last re-
port that the annual pension roll costs less than
s6S 600 900. All in excess of this is to pay pen
sions that were due for previous years, and is
to pay old claims which have just been adiudi-
Gated. 1t will be freely admitted that even
F3,OO00D0 is large sum, but it must be borne
in mind that the late war was gigantic one,
unparalleled in point Of numbers engaged by
any in the history of the world
The reports in the Adjutant-Generars Office
show that during the four years OF its continu-
ance there were 2,S6 ,G2S enIstmehts Allow.
ing a liberal estimate for the dOubls enlist.
ments, at least 2,40O.0lG men must have been
engaged in the Union army. OF this vast num-
Der. nearly O1OD0 were killed in battle or died
OF wounds received or disease incurred during
the war, and thousands of others returned to
their homes only to suffer and die in a few short
months. or this vast army, up to June 30, 1881,
62S,212 had filed claims for pensions, OF which
but 36i. $50 had been allowed. OF these, 294, AS
were on the rolls at the time above stated.
Three hundred and sixty-four thousand
eight hundred and eighty-six claims had been
filed By widows, orphan children and dependent
relatives. The average pension paid was sl30.l0
per year, surely not an extravagant sum to pay
for the loss of husbands or fathers, and the ter
rible loss OF limbs, and the suffering from
wounds and diseases. or the number then on
the rolls, 1851 nearly one-hah Of the soldiers
were receiving less than S75 each per year.
What munificencel
Tne widow who gave her husband in the prime
of life, full of bright hopes for the future re-
ceived 70 per month for her sacrifice and this
generous Nation gave her - per month for the
support of the child made an orphan by the
ravages of war. What happy wife would not
cheerfully surrender her loved one for such
generous pension? What child would be so IN
grateful when it arrived at manhood as to lose
an opportunity to sing praises to the glorious
Government that contributed so literally to his
support:
1t is about time that this seuseless twaddle
about the generosity Of the Government to the
noble men who sacrificed their all to preserve
it's existence should cease. The brave men
who fought the battles for the preservation OF
the Union from 1861 to 1865 will never be COM
pensated for their terrible suffering and sacri-
fees. The Government is abundanty able to
provide for these men in their declining years
to care for those who are destitute and suffer
ing; and to do this entities it to no credit. To
do less would be base ingratitude.