The National tribune., 1889-01-24
Ex-PRIsONERs OF WAR.
Address BY the National President.



HEADQUARTERS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
UNIoS EX-PR1soNERs Oh WAR,
WAsHINGTOy, ID. O., - ISS9.
To Union Ex- Prisoners of War.
COMRADES: The 10th annual Convention Of the
National Association OF Union Ex-Prisoners OF
War, .leId al Indianapolis Ind. having chosen ma
as its President for the ensuing year i am there
fore. grateful to the comrades for the honor con-
ferred upon me, and now congratulate Che assOcia-
ton on the good record It has made and the work
accomplished during the past year The spirit
which characterized the late Convention gives
promise of determined work in pushing the or
ganzatiOn to complete enrolment Of all ex-pris-
oners in the United states.
The verdict OF the people has once more been
recorded in the choice of our rulers. The friends
OF the soldiers of Tie Union have lost nothing in
the choice of the Executive and of Representatives
IN the 5lst Congress What we may hope for as q
National relief depends very much upon what we
demand - a valid claim. The question of a service
pension seems TO be settled, and we may expect
Congress during the next meeting to enact such q
law This viii embrace all prisoners as well as
other soldiers But the per-diem clause Of our
pension bill must be urged as q separate measure.
bill TO reimburse prisoners Of war for loss sus-
tanned, and special deprivations resulting in loss
must be presented to every Member Of Congress
and the following reasons may be assigned Why
the claim Is just one:
/. We were prevented from re-enIis.iug and Sc
curing large bounties, granted to others, being
2. We were deprived of all opportunity Of secur-
ing promotion while the danger risk was greatly
increased, as shown by the mortality in rebel
prisons
5. Most Of the prisoners when brought into the
Union lines were discharged mustered out Of the
service while yet in broken health causing them to
expend large sums IN payment for medical treat
ment and loss Of time incident to such debility
These, with many other facts, constitute q claim
which If fairly presented before the people, viii
find a ready Endorsement and Congress VIII gladly
confer q long-delayed benefaction-
Letthe comrades make known to their Represent
atlves IN Congress what they expect Letters from
individuals and petitions and memorials from or
CARNATIONS should be sent at once Don send these
to Congress, but to the individual Members and
Senators, asking them to support such q measure.
The following IS copy Of Senate bill 800, intro
dueed by Senator Hawley, which IS now before the
Committee Pensions IN the Senate.
Be It enacted bg TIE Senate and House Of Repre-
ssRtalreS Of the United States Of AHeTicd ga Congress
assembled That the Secretary OF the Interior be,
and he - hereby, authorized to pay to all surviving
officers and enlisted men Of the military and naval
service Of the United States who were prisoners Of
during the war Of the rebellion for period Of
so days more the sum of s. for each and every
day they were held in confinement as prisoners OF
war
This will in no way conflict with the passing Of
other pension claims but viii unite all ex-prison-
il a common interest. namely. reimburse
ment for loss which the Nation cannot ignore.
No time should be lost in completing the orgauf-
zton Of prisoners into local associations where
ever there are comrades enough in a town or
county form one, and where that not practical
every ex-pTisoner should cause ms name 10 be en-
rolled the books of the National Association as
an individual member This is necessary TO enable
the association to communicate with comrades
quickly when anything OF Importance arises touch
ing their interests.
Local associations and individual members are
requested TO be prompt in renting their dues 10
the National Association, as It Is principally from
this income that its expenses are met.
All inquiries in regard TO organizing local assO-
Citations, individual memberships in the National
Association, badges payment of dues, etc, viii be
promptly answered by addressing Mai l. 2. " il.
hams, Secretary, Box ~ v washington u. G.
President National Association Union Ex-Prison-
ers Of War.