The National tribune., 1890-04-10

bounty of the Government is given out to the
unmeritorious and undeserving simply because
they wore n uniform, to that extent were the
meritorious soldiers robbed.
Mr.. Craig pa favored the measure because
it was an improvement on the present pension
laws, and would place thousands of men on the
rolls who were just as deserving of pension rs
thost who were now drawing money from the
Treasury. He thought the bill Hong step in
the right direction, and hoped shortly to sec
every man who served his country placed upon
the pension rols, the roll of honor of grateful
Nation. ~ fal
There was q feature of this bill which he
wished to commend; that is, that no soldier
who defended the flag shall feel that there is
anything in the pension laws requiring him in
any way to humiliate himself in order that he
may be placed on the pension roll. The present
bill provides that a pension shall be granted
for disability without compelling the soldier TO
make oath or affidavit that he is a pauper. He
may be poor, he may be unfortunate; but If he
has served his country and has disability he
can be placed upon the penson-roll under this
bill without that humiliation and degradation.
] appreciate the feeling of the soldier that his
service to his country, the record he has made
in the army, entities him to be placed on the
pension-ro roll without being compelled to make
an affidavit of pauperism.
We particularly honor our dead heroes by ell
oquent eulogies statues, and monuments. In
u few short weeks the loyal people of this coun-
try will he engaged in the beautiful and inn
pressive services of the ritual of the Grand
Army Of the Republic, when we decorate the
graves of our fallen heroes with flowers. But
we are negccting twenty-five thousand of liv-
ing, equally brave defenders of the flag, in the
poorhOuses of tho land. What n travesty, my
countrXmenl Eoquence, flowers, and monu-
ments for the dead God grant we may have
4
What Of the thousands who are kept from the
poorhouse by contributions of their more for
tunate, sympathzng comrades, neighbors, and
friends? What of those who are struggling
along in suffering aud weakness on tho verge
of pauperism? Those who once stood in tho
front of the battle, but who in the march of
life have fallen behind, should not be aban-
doned to want and restitution. These men were
once the pride and glory of the Nation and the
admiration of the world.
Mr.. Yoder (0hio) opposed the measure and
advocated q service pension bill. He had filed
more than 80 petitions from Grand Army Posts
and the Union Veterans Union for such meas
land he believed that all good soldiers desired
such law. The dominant party claimed 10 DO
the friend of the soldier, but they had failed
TO show IL on the floor of the House.
Mr.. Cutcheon (Mich.) favored the measure,
and said that during his eight years service in
the House he had never had an opportunity to
vote for general pension bill that was brought
in by the Democratic party while it was
in supremacy but what il was done under a
suspension ofthe rules. Aud when any of these
general bills were passed by the aid OF Republic
can votes, they were vetoed by Democratic
President.
vote was ordered upon the substitute. re-
sulting in yeas 1862 nays 81 not two.thirds in
its favor, aud the measure was rejected. The
House adjourned at 8 p. M.