The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-11-21
Our RIGUT TO INSIST.

In insisting that Congress shall make the
passage of pension legislation its first duty
after organization, and before any other
business he transacted, the comrades are not
thrusting a new question upon it and de-
handing hasty and inconsiderate legislation.
On the contrary, no business which will
come before it has been so thoroughly con-
sidered, debated so long and so earnestly, or
so well digested and agreed upon by so many
public men of varying views.
The Disability Bill, in substantially the
shape in which it will be reintroduced Mt
the first opportunity, has been before at least
four Congresses. 1t has been considered
with the utmost care by the Senate Com
mittee on Pensions and by the House Com
mittee on Invalid Pensions in each of these
Congresses, and reported favorably with
strong recommendations TO their respective
Houses, which have discussed it exhaust
lively and passed it substantially in its pres
ent shape. In one Congress at least it failed
of becoming a law after passage by both
Houses, because of failure to concur on
minor and non essential amendments. In
the next Congress it was again passed by
both Houses, but was vetoed by President
Cleveland on what was denounced by the
Democratic Chairman OF the House Com
mittee on Invalid Pensions as fimsy and
insufficient grounds. A strong majority of
the Democratic House of Representatives
voted TO pass it over the veto, an attempt
which failed because of lack of only %
votes of the requisite two-thirds.
During all these years the measure had
been under consideration by the veterans as
a body. They had discussed it in their
Posts, Reunions and Department and Ma
tional Encampments, and everywhere given
it the strongest possible Endorsement. They
had sent it petitions, signed by hundreds of
thousands Of names, asking for its passage.
Upon the failure of the 5Oth Congress the
veterans appealed TO the country upon the
general issue of more liberal pension legisla-
ton. The decision was emphatically in their
favor-a President aud majority of Con-
gress being elected on that issue.
In the face of these facts, which none can
dispute, it is clearly obligatory on Congress
to first dispose of the recommendations of
the G. A. r. National Pension Committee
before it even begins the consideration of
other business, none Of which can begin to
be Of SO pressing nature as the duty of
giving the rapidly-dying veterans the just
ice that has been on the point of being
granted them by every Congress for the past
eight years.
Justice dictates this; National honor de-
mands it; common humanity requires it;
the people have said emphatically that 1t
should be done
There is no other matter that can possibly
be so pressing. There is no business lt0t Con-
gress can take up uLieL is anything ike so
nearly ready for immediate disposal as This is.
We want every comrade TO thoroughly I'M
derstand this, and to bring it home to his
Representative in Congress. Let every one
INFORM his Congressman that the comrades
Of his District are unit in expecting of him
that he insist by voice and vote that the
House pass legislation embodying the recon-
mendations of the GAR. National Pension
Committee before it even begins the con-
sideration Of any other business. Let the
/ Posts express the same desire by strong reso-
buttons, and all Congressman be given TO I'M
derstand that their course on this all-im-
portant matter VIII be studiously watched
! their veteran constituents viii hold them TO
strict accountability.
Let the ueterdns hare hcir day in Court