The Saline County journal., 1889-09-19
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ArRrpdssxsrRf ePoz an APfEE-
oAffoz FOE rKNszoE.
The subject Of service pension bss
attracted much stteniioa u late. for
the reason that I'm many deserving
cases necessary proofs Of disability
eannct be made enthusiastically 70 the
pension bureau, which 10 tied By
forms and limited In Discretionary
sction.
Our attention hss recently been
called 10 the very plain injustice
that ls being done every day In this
regard. One instance hsss more
fOrcibly than any other, been
brought 70 our notice. We quote an
endorsement on an application for
pension:
"I regret exceedingiy that have
no memorandum, made at the time
Of the alleged injury 10 Howard
Landrum.
"Sneh work % mentioned was
done by us, during and AFTER the
sIege Of Wagner. There were, ,natur-
ally, O number Of accidents, some
not severe enough 10 cause imme-
diats discharge, but - truly wounds
a. those received In battle. Some,
whose serious nature and pefma-
nentiy disabling character, may
not have declared themselves, even ct
time Of mustsr-out, % as 10 be
noted on the rolls. Neithsr ofiieer
nor private realized how difiieult lt
was to become, 10 enforce the per-
formancs Of the promises. ofiieial
and unofficial, made ct the time Of
enlistment.
"I believe what Howard Lam
drum says. II you know his ad-
dress please send same 10 me, and
II you have not done %, viii write
him TO recall who was with him on
the particular detail when the acei-
dent happened. and try 10 get their
affidavlts.
aIt is better that one deserter be
pensloned, than that one pensioned
be denied his deserts. Better even
that some 'stay-at-home' pay q tag,
than that one enlisted man 70
needy. Better for the country Ia its
next need for men, o record OF liber-
allty towards defenders, than that
getting q promised pension be
harder than taking o fort.
"The war ended In 1885. The time
has come with twenty-five years.
that q service pension be declared,
and those who made money, while
we spent our blood, shall be obliged
to keep the promises made to save
their skins.
IAN honorable discharge entities
. man TO q pension, and money bags
shall not keep both skin and purse
whole.'"
The above endorsement was made
upon an application for pension.
The writer Of 10 entered the service
At the age Of IS, out Of Harvard col
lege, and attained the rank Of major.
He, himself, was twice wounded
severely, once through both legs
with . piece OF shell. Up TO two or
three years ago, he had never ap-
piled for . pension, being . gentle
man Of wealth, and 90 he claimed,
able to get along without Q pension.
His warm sympathy and financial
aid have always been extended to
the needy veteran, and he has
always assisted Q deserving appllca-
ton for pension. The Infamous car
toon In Puck two or three weeks
since, excited his indignation, and
the strong expressions used are
probably the outgrowth Of Il.
1t IL better that many undeserving
receive pensions than that q single
man who served his country honor
ably and patriotically should not gel
that assistance which the country
owes to him. The millions who en-
Joy the fruits Of the veterans valor
In the dark days Of the rebellion,
when the nations life was In peril,
can not afford 10 refuse the pittsnce
asked for In behalf Of the thou
esnds who are silent sufferers, even
down to the present time, from dis
abilities received In the performance
Of duties.