The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-02-03
CLEVELAND AND REA TALK.
Substance CT the Recent Confer.
ence Between the President and
the c. A. z. Commander Regard.
ing Pensions.

Substance CT the Recent Confer.
enco Between the President and
the c. A. z. Commander Regard.
ing Pensions.
New York Special: Commander. in Chief
John p. Rca. OF the G. A. r., who has just
come on from Washington. is spending u
few days in New York looking alter G. A.
Il. affairs. He is accompanied by Adju.
tant General Fish, who like Judge Rca, lives
in Minneapolis.
While in Washington lie held confer
encc with the Grand Army committee on
pensions, and also called on the president
and consulted with him for more than an
hour on tho subject Of pensions.
II did not call on the president in refer.
cnce to this BILL" Commander Rca said
when asked about the consultation. The
members OF our committee called ut the
White House in a social way, and as
the president was ut the cabinet meeting
we left our cards. Later in the day | re.
ccived u note saying that President Clevc.
land would be glad to see me il / would
call at ; O'Clock. Since the consultation
was neither official nor confidential, l
don't feel that IL statement OF it should
come from me. This much am willing to
say, our discussion was general in its char
actcr, on ull sorts OF topics. and that Of
pensions was only mentioned incidentally.
President Cleveland expressed IL desire
that every man who served in the war and
was deserving OF u pension should have it.
Nothing whatever was said in relation to
his past action. He neither said that he
would approve or disaprove any bill.
but he did show q kindly feeling toward
disabled soldiers and those who had scrv-
ed their country through the war and are
now physically disabled"
Adjt. Cen. Fish, in conversation about
Commander Eea' g interview, gave what he
had heard Of its character.
II don't understand" he said. "that
the interview was confidential. and it was
not so told to me. The president himself
first broached the subject OF pensions, aud
Judge Rea told him what the G. A. r. de.
sired to do. Mr.. Cleveland in reply said
in familiar way. you know, Judge. that
a great lot Of scalawags have been get.
ting pensions all over the country
We are not trying to aid those
who secured pensions without deserving
them Judge Rca said, in reply. Many OF
those you speak OF have their hospital rec.
ord, which enabled them to get the pen
sions whether deserving or not. What the
G. A. Il. now wish to do is to secure pen
sions for men who are deserving, who
fought through the war and perhaps never
received wound, bat whose constitutions
and who are. as result, physical wrecks.
They are not provided for by the pension
law and thousands OF them are scattered
over the country.'" "Of course" added
Gen. Fish, II don't give this word for
word. but in substance. as it was told me.
President Cleveland admitted the justice
OF such pensions and Judge Rca
OF his-who is crippled and useless
from disease acquired in the war, and
maintained that such man who had
served honorably deserves n pension. To
this President Cleveland replied that he
did not think that any sensible man could
object to such law; have no doubt that
the president will see his way to sign the
pension bill il one is passed. and to make
his action appear consistent but l have
strong doubts whether the present congress
will pass any pension bill.