The National tribune., 1888-04-19
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNEs PENSION
BILL,

BILL,
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNEs course with
regard to pension legislation has been clear,
consistent and unwavering. It has been
defined so often, and in such unmistakable
language, and every line that has appeared
in the paper has been so strictly in accord
with that position, that there has not been
the least excuse on the part of anyone for
installing it
For years we have insisted, week in and
week out, that the first preliminary steps in
pension legislation was for the Government to
carry out its contract to give proper pensions
to those who were wounded or broken down,
for the widows, orphans and dependent
relatives of those who were killed or died,
andtomakesuitable provision for the veterans
who are disabled from maintaining them
selves. Before anything elsewas done, oreVen
considered, we have constantly said the Ma
ton should provide food, clothing shelter,
fuel and medicines for those who were once
It's stalwart fighting men, but are now de-
crepit and needy. In this position we have
had the enthusiastic support of the friends
Of the soldiers everywhere, and the veterans
have rallied around US as a regiment around
its colors. Thoseide were formuIatedin the
various bills known as "The Amendmentseo
the Mexican Pension Bill" the Dependent
Pension Bill" and the Disability Pension
Bill"
From thefrst we have asserted that this de-
mand was not fnality, but merely begin
ing; that as soon as this concession was OBJ
tanned we had other measures of more
general benefit, of wider-reaching justice, to
urge.
After the passage of the Dependent Pen
sion Bill by the 49th Congress, and the near
ness to success in repassing it over the veto,
after its overwhelming Endorsement by a
popular vote of the Grand Army of the
Republic, and after majority Of the present
House of Representatives had been elected
upon distinct pledges to vote for If, or SINH
lar measure, we had every reason to expect
that its passage would be one of the very
first acts of the present Congress. That
this has not been done. is, we firmly believe,
the fault Of the Chairman of the Committee
on Invalid Pensions, who has, in spite of
all urging, allowed five precious months Of
this session to pass away without reporting
the bin to the House. Not in anger, but in
soTrow-in very deep sorrow-do we say
this. No one has wished with more earnest
ness than we that Col. Matson had earned
for himself the applause and gratitude Of
the veterans throughout the length and
breadth Of the land by pushing to it.
passage the bill which would have taken
thousands of soldiers from the pOorhouses
and would have brought comfort to thou.
sands Of homes where want and distress now
reign. What reasons he may have had fol
neglecting this high duty We will not nov
say.
We still have hopes Of the passage of tn,
Disability Bill in substantially the form in
which we and others have urged it for tn,
past five years.
And anticipating the speedy passage Of tn
Disability Bnl-frmly expecting that tn,
rescue Of the veterans and their dependen
ones from the cold mercies of the poorhous
would be no longer delayed,-we prepares
( q Dill 10 OE 4HtEyAuC6u a. EOou as III
Disability Bill was fairly out of the way
and which represented our ideas of VIVA
further justice the Nation should render t
those to whom it owes everything. Tbi
was in accordance with the plan that W
constantly urged upon our friends.
We have withheld this bill, waiting 70
the passage Of the Disability Bill, until thi
advanced stage Of the session, when we fet
it should be withheld no longer, since il
introduction and discussion now cannot en-
barrass or affect, one way or the other, th
passage of the Disability Bill
Our bill, which we have named 9TH
NATIozAL TRIBUNE Pension Bill" pr
vides as follows:
A BILL 10 equalize pensions. to facilitate prom
settlement ileTess and for other purposes.
BE Il enacted BY ne Senate and House Of ReErese4
1fjtes of the United states Of Auaerica II, Conqrl
assembled That the Secretary Of the Interior /
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