The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-07-09
A SECRET POLITICAL ORGANIZATION
Now Forming 10 Divide the Union Soldiers,
Backed BY Democrats-Duty of Republicans.

Oniou uaVe prooaoiy seen and read congressman
Matsons late report and substitute for the Sen
ate disability bill, for the relief Of totally dis
aoled soldiers, some thousands of whom are now
In poor-houses. and all will remember, that Mat
son and his Democratic majority on the in
valid pension committee proposed to apply the
one cent per der. idea to this class of soldiers
and their widows in FUTURE under which pen
sions for total disability would not average
30 per month, and in effect bring into contempt
ana destroy the pension system-for he says
II the soldier receives not enough, it is because
he did not serve long enough; aud for ''the re-
mainder of the relief" necessary to his support
he shall be allowed, as other citizens must. to
accept 1.-The charity OF the 'local authorities
forgetting that the purpose of all pension legis-
iation thus far placed upon the statute books by
the Republicans and few Democrats from
Northern constituencies voting with them, has
been to save every man who honorsby wore the
blue from having to accept aims from local
authorities. For even this insulting PROPOSE
ton Mstson did not ask day or An
hour set apart for Its consideration
by the House. as he and his
colleagues have not. far. for any other pension
bill Knowing In advance that his lone cent"
day proposition would not be accepted, a new
tack must be taken. to hoodwink, deceive, and
divide the soldiers of the country and Mr., Mat
son appears in the ring trying to ride two horses
gong In opposite directions-one labeled AR
rears of Pensions" the other mills Tariff Bill"
which overy soldier ought to know would, in
effect, destroy the pension system. Now for
the facts and ''the tactics" adopted to extrica.e
Mr.. Matson from his inconsistent record before
the soldiers of the country. Before entering
on his canvass for Governor Of Indiana, he
brings forward and offers in the House another
piece of patchwork the arrears bill. esti-
mated to cost $780, 600, 900, but asks no time set
for its consideration. To show 1.-The trick" in
this action ''the tip" was evidently given from
Washington to a few Democratic soldiers. who
advance of the bill being offered in the Housel
for the purpose of Surfing ND the sol
diers of the State in favor OF reopening the
arrears act" The writer happened to be at
indianapolis at the time. and struck lot Of
them from Carroll and Cass counties. all Of them
Democrats, and fertile with excuses for Matson's
non action on pension legislation this session.
Another meeting was held at Indianapolis june
3, TO further the scheme to boom him as the
friend of the soldier in his canvass and as the
sequel shows. a secret political soldiers oreani-
cation is under way. with constitution. bylaws.
obligation. signs, grips and pass words. 1t 10
called mon bipartisan" organization, in or
der to conceal its real purpose and
few Republican soldiers have signed their rolls
as too many soldiers do without inquiring into
the matter presented. Its promoters and lead
ets are not Republicans. The head pusher"
In the scheme at Terrs Haute although PEN
sioner for years under laws placed on tho stat
ute books by Republicans, will not vote for Gen.
Harrison, but on the contrary is prolific in de-
nuuciation Of Republicans. Having secured
number of names in favor of the scheme in ad.
vance. open meeting of soldiers and their
sons was called at Pixlsys Hall. in this city, last
Saturday evening. At which have no doubt the
promoters expected every soldier was gudgeon
aud would walk into ''secret political orgsni-
cation" of the kind proposed, without any ques-
tions, 1t being broadly stated by the chairman of
the meeting that IL was the intention to extend
the organization throughout the country as rap
idly possible.
Soldiers of the Union, beware Of any ''secret
organization" or scheme during this contest
Tho writer and other comrades told them the
people would trample under foot a. thsy ought
bulldozing of candidates for Congress into sup
port of Missions proposed arrears o: any other
pension bill Soldiers. it 10 true, are q balance
of power between the parties that will very
largely determine the result of this contest and
should unite in demanding of candi-
dates for Congress sheir pledges to
pass 1t an early day at the next
Congress the necessary bills for final settle
ment Of their just claims. But all such claims
and demands must be made in 'open daylight
persuaded they are right" without resorting to
any secret, dark-lantern methods. Matson has
not brought forward this arrears proposition for
any other purpose than to deceive and divide the
soldiers of Indiana and other States, as he and
every other Democrat knows its
undsr the Mills tariff bill. and that
Cleveland would veto any such measure
Furthermore, it is q piece of legislation that
would cost a thousand million dollars to carry
Il H. Il = - ks.l-
principal sbrekers" for reopsnine the arrears
act are the claim agents who would make sew
era millions out of 1t. and lot of soldiers whose
wounds do not amount to a pin scratch as disa-
bilitles, by the side Of thousands of others
racked with incurable disabilities. rs the result
of their service, who are not yet pensoned
at all. TO our MANNED soldiers
the government has granted liberal
living pensions, and it is not from this class we
are hearing this agitation. The time has come
however. to consider and pass the arrears of
pay bill" equalizing the currency paid the
army. now the only measure of arrears based
on law, justice and equity TO all. In addition to
this service pension bill should pass at the
first session of the next Congress, placing every
bonorably discharged soldier on the rolls for life
at the age of fifty years. this pension to be added
to the pensions of all totally disabled soldiers.
Measures of this kind. having the elements of
universal justice behind them. the people will
approve, measures which Republicans can now
with much to Rain-nothing to loose by doing
so, as matter of justice to the defenders of the
Union honestly due them. 1t is hoped for by
many that General Harrisons letter OF accept
snce will sound a keynote on this matter that
will entirely destroy the secret dark- antern or
eanization proposed. by Democrats or
others, to force pension bills introduced
by Matson anG his committee, with no
intention to have them considered tn cir action
this entire session has proved. The following
editorial from the st. Louis Republic. admins
tration organ correctly states the Democratic
position on pensions. In its issue Of June II
says: "One civil war issue neutrality-suspicious..
Southern Democrats have felt under sort of
obligation of honor above the spirit of Democ.
racy, even above the spirit of the Constitution,
to vote the federal soldier pensions Presiden,
Cleveland has felt it his duty to check this ten
cncy." just so. Fits Cleveland and his vetoes
exactly. The candidates of the two parties are
now before tine country. Every man that car
lied q musket in the Union armies ought to vote
for the candidates whose antecedents promise
most for himself and comrades, and not allow
themselves 20 be eulled into secret political or
CARNATIONS in support OF those who only make
promises TO break them. Stand by the men
who stood by you. and exhibit an interest 10
your welfare and the principles for which you
fought. Harrison and Morton represent those
principles, Cleveland and Thurmsns 81 mpathies
were on the other side. &. A. Power.
TERRE HAUTE, July 4.
Organization Mt Petersburg.
Special to the Indiana polls Journax.