The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-10-26

now reported to the House which they choose 70
do Not Republican member upon that floor
viii make the slightest objection to fair con-
sideration OF any measure for the relief OF the
brave men who saved this CO ntry from disrup-
ton, and who made 1t possible for us to enjoy
the prosperity which surrounds us; who in fact
gave us the overlooking treasury which now
causes much needless alarm and which would
be speedily relieved Of a portion OF its surplus
were justice done them. Let every man who wore
tho blue during the late war, then, understand
that the Democratic party alone is responsible
for he failure of Congress to pass measures for
their relief. 1t is highly probable that. yielding
to the growing demand for the enactment of fu-
,ure pension legislation they will consent TO tho
passage OF some OF the more ulimportant bills:
but it 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 select will be allowed. and this only on
suspension days, when no amendments can be
made. and when debate is practically cut OIL.
sfNsRLEss TwADDLE.
A great deal has been said OF the lberality Of
our Government in providing for its able de-
tenders, and their widows and dependent chill
dren. Again and again We are pointed to the
appropriation of s. ,OOO,OOO in u single year for
the payment Of pensions as proof Of this. This
Is misleading and not altogether far. The
Commissioner OF Pensions shows in his last re-
port that the annual pension roll costs less than
$4,000 900. All in excess Of this is to pay pen
sions that were due for previous years, and il
to pay old claims which have just been adjudi-
Gated. 1t will be freely admitted that even
$4,000. 900 is large sum, but it must be borne
in mind that the late war was a gigantic one,
unparalleled in point Of numbers engaged by
any in the history of the world
The reports in the Adjutant- Generals office
show that during the four years OF its continp
ance there were $50 ,o2s enlistmehts Allow.
ing liberal estimate for the double enlist.
ments. Mt least 2.40O,O)0 men must have been
engaged in the Union army. OF thus vast num-
Der, nearly 0)0O were killed in battle or died
OF wounds received or disease incurred during
the war, and thousands OF offers returned to
their homes only to suffer and die in a few short
months. or this vast army, up to June 30. 1887,
62S.2'2 had filed claims for pensions, Of which
but 3Bi. SIS had been allowed. OF these. s94, AS
were on the rolls ut 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 sI;D. Ii
per year. surely not an extravagant sum to pay
for the loss OF husbands or fathers, and the ter
rible loss Of l mbs and the suffering from
wounds and diseases. or the number then on
the rolls, l4i.SS1 nearly onehalf Of the soldiers
were receiving less than Ss5 each per year.
What munificence!
The widow who gave her husband in the prime
of life. full of bright hopes for the future, re-
ceived 10 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
checrfully surrender her loved one for such q
generous pensions What child would be so I'M
grateful when 1t 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 senseless twaddle
about the generosity Of the Government to the
noble men who sacrificed their all to preserve
its existence should cease. The brave men
who fought the battles for the preservation Of
the Union from 1851 to 1865 will never be COM
pensated for their terrible suffering and sacri-
fees. The Government is abundantly 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.