The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-12
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COLUMBIA, Tenn, May lin the course
Of his address at the Scotch-Irish celebration
tonight, Corporal Tanner, Commissioner Of
Pensions, said
We hear great deal today about the pen
sion list Of the United States. II Is great
list, am here 10 assert IL Is n roll Of honor.
Among the scores Of thousands who are upon
that roll OF honor there are 1851, no one Of
whom draws from the Treasury Of the
United States moro than 1910 per month;
3s7 Of them draw S3.75 a month; l,sg3 Of
them draw 81 per month; thirty-eight OF
them draw t2.GGS per month; seven Of them
draw s2.G6 per month; two Of them draw
$3.50 per month; four Of them draw g. % per
month; three Of them draw s2.i2Jl per
month; two Of them draw tl.s7 per month,
and 2sJ Of them draw 81 per month.
Mr.. Chairman, ] think that In this great
assemblage there sits no man who apprecl-
ates more highly than do natural endow-
mcnt and intellectual development But
Notwithstanding all these disadvantages |
lift my hat In awe aud bow In reverence 20
that extremely cultured intellect which can
make the fine distinction OF two.thirls OF n
cent per month In the disability OF men who
stood ON the same battle field. For twenty
years aud under varying circumstances /
have pleaded the cause Of my comrades who
wore the blue. For twenty years have been
able 10 only plead, but now ] am thankful
that at these finger tips there rests some
power, aud that power Is mine, | broadly
say that propose just as soon ~ possible 10
call In every one OF the certificates OF pen
sions, the figures Of which I have named.
and reissue them on the basis OF the truth
Il N..NW II. 4. 4 -
sion roll Of the United States for less Than
/ the miserable pittancc' OF 81 per week,
though may wiring from the hearts Of some
the prayer. God help the surplus"
This, and some other things, too numcr-
Gus 10 ~ into detail about, propose 20 do.
| II my life be spared aud my official existence
be not cut short No good citizen Of the
/ United States will dispute for an instant
but that IL Is wise political economy 20 care
/ tcndcrly for the men who have borne the
heat and burden Of the day. From the lips
Of my predecessor In the official position
which hold, have the statement that from
statistics gathered by him, there Il NO doubt
/ but that az least 1900 hononbly discharged
soldiers and sailors Of the Union Army aud
/ Navy lay down their heads this night on pal
lets Of straw aud eat the bread Of charity In
the almshouscs Of the United States. II u n
shame 10 us, North aud South, and God
willing We will right H.
am clearly Of opinion that | voice the
dominant sentiment Of this country when
unhcsitatingly declare that wise policy
demands that, In treating with those who
| have Just claims before this country | should
ccase 20 hunt for mere technical reason for
which ~ defeat these claims, aud devote n
little 81 our time, az least 10 helping those
claimants who IN the past did not hesitate
10 help The country In is hour Of dire peril.
Within the limitations Of the law, with due
regard 10 my official oath, I have broadly
asserted that everything that can do 10
assist the needy and suffering veterans shall
be done In holding 20 this course am
confident that | shall have the appreciation
Of every manly man IN all this country, and
particularly Of those who were manly foes Of
iagf 4. fafl.