The National tribune., 1890-01-23
ARREARS or PENSIONS.

ARREARS or PENSIONS.
DnriuR the last six years, to-wit. ASth, 10th
50th, aud now tho Jlst, Congresses large num-
Der of bills have been introduced on this sub
joct. They read all right because they show on
their face that tho introducer Of the bill do
sires TO place all persons whose pensions are
granted under the general laws upon an equal
ity as 10 the time their pension should com
mcnce
As general thing. after the introduction,
printing and mailing OF goodiy number of said
bills To the supposed easily gullcd eX- soldier the
Member Of Congress consoles himself with the
idea that he has made a record sufficient 20 catch
the ex soldiers vote, aud now from this out he
SO acts as 20 prevent his bill from becoming a
law that he may make himself solid with that
class OF voters who are envious aud jealous of
the ex.soldiers' record, and opposed TO tho
whole pension system, because they do not and
cannot got a portion OF H. They all admit
aud large number of them have promised
and pledged themselves over and over again to
the ex soldier, aud swear. especially Hst before
election, that equal justice should be DONE and
our National Conventions have regularly prom
iscd it. and we have believed their promise by
electng Comrado Harrison President, and Civ
ing him a Congress that acts in sympathy aud
harmony with him. Our best and only chance
Is now. IL our friends do not act when they
have the power, future promises will havo but
little weight. | have talked with many Mem
bcrs during the past l0days on hissubject aud
| have visited the committee rooms on Inva-
lid Pensions" and am now satisfied that moth
lug more will be done than tho printing of bills
and circulating them among their constituents
unless comrades throughout the whole country
by letter and petition, demand of their imme-
date Members that he take an active part to
induce the committee to make an early and
favorable report.
OF course. the so caiied Service Pension
Bill " is one that ought 10 become a law this
session, aud perhaps will. as IL will reach more
votes and do good 10 more people than tho
arrears Of Pensions" Yet, with concert OF
action on the part of the Nationol Pension
Committee appointed by the last National En-.
eampment We get both measures enacted
into law, II We have the active assistance of the
members who hold their places by the ex sol
diersi vote.
Comrades, If the public revenue ia reduced
by taking tho tax off of whisky aud tobncco
and general reduction Of tho duties and the
continuation of taking the public moneys to
purchase the National debt long before the bonds
become due. why, Of course, tho excuse now
made for not passing the bill to wit that il
would bankrupt the Treasury, would be a good
one, the enemies Of the exsoldier are all
united 10 reduce the income Of the Government
by demanding revision of the tariff aud the
purchase of United States bonds long before
they come due and If this policy Is continued
and carried out, there would not be- without
resortng TO some other means, sufficient rove
nue to pay arrears of pensions. If all the ex-
soldiers will resolve not To support by his vote
any person who favors the taking of tho tax
on whisky aud tobacco, or otherwise reducing
the revenue or favOrs purchasing the National
bonds before they become due, or who iayors
the Blair Educational BILL" which will take
more money out Of the National Treasury than
Is required 10 pay all the just debts due the ex-
soldiers, until the arrears OF pensions and SER
vice pensions are paid, then, in that case we
may III the end get tho support of tho whisky
and tobacco men and the =" Blair Educational y
men To help the soldier to what is due him.
Comrades, try what you can do with tho
Member from your District at once, and remem-
ber tho success of the legislation on this sub
ject rests with tho committees, which are COM
posed rs follows:
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON INVALID PENSIONS.
Edmund n. Merrill, Kansas; John G.. Saw
yer, New York Samucl A. Craig, Pennsylya-
MIA Alonzo Mute. Now Hampshire; Charles T..
BelSnap, Michigan; James T.. Flick, Iowa; Al
fred a. Taylor, Tennessee; John III. Wilson,
Kentucky; Gilbert L. Laws, Nebraska; Samuel
s. Yoder Ohio; Edward Lane, Illinois; /. II.
Goodnight Kentucky; Charles IT, Turner,
New York; Clarke Lewis Mississippi; Angus
tus n. Martin, Indiana.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON PENSIONS
Mr.. Davis. chairman; Blair, Sawyer, Pad
dock, Moody, Pierce, Turpie. Blodgett Faulk-
ner, Barb0ur.-MEMBER OF ABERcRoMBIE
Posi- No. 70, q. A. H., Lisbon. N. Oak.