The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1890-08-11
MIR. AtIiason's rcnsion Record.

Democratic newspapers In this district
arc continually asserting that II Rep
r~esentive, Hon. George ". Atkinson,
has not dono his duty toward the old
soldierg IN tho pension questions before
Congress; that he lodged and did not
even vote for the Morrill, bill when 1t
WIS before the House, and did not vote
for II on Ito final massage.
TO those who know Representative
Atkinson and who have watched his
course in Congress, Il rclutation Of these
charges docs not seem necessary. The
fact 10 that Mr.. Atkinson voted for the
Morrill, bill from first 10 last, and fox the
bill reported by tho Conference Com
mittee, not beeausei II was all he wanted,
but because, as he stated in u speech de-
livercd on the floor Of tho House, it IVES
the best that lie could get. Further
more, Mr.. Atkinson has always been
heartily in favor OF the most liberal pen.
sions, and his u%lterances upon the cub
ject have been published and endorsed
by nearly every Republican paper in the
district.
Mr.. Atkinson is no longer q candidate
for Congress, having withdrawn from
the canvass, and We arc unable to sec
what tho motives are for tho attacks
made on his record, unless it DO that the
Democratic organs hope to create 4
prejudice among tho soldiers against the
Republican cauBoin the First district.
Il this Is the motive the scheme will
not work. The veterans are not fools
and know well to which party they
must look to send to Congress a man
who will look TO their interest.
AS a sufficient denial Of the charges
made by the Democratic organs against
Mr.. Atkinson VI quote the following
brief extracts from his ten minute
speech in the Ilouse OF Representatives
on the 3OLh day of April:
Mn. SrEtKER: lean sec no proper reason why
any Representative upon this floor, indeed any
man who l0rcs his C0nntry's llnG, should not
heartily support this bill. No patriot can Op
pose II tXccpt for one particular reason. aud that
II that 1t does not 30 far enough, that 1t Is not
AZ far reaching In It's scope as 1t should be, md
therefore does not give To the citizen soldiers Of
tho laic war that degree Of protection which they
deserve ut the hands Of IL government they saved.
confess. Mr.. Speaker, | am one OF those that
believe IN IL general Ecrrice'pcns!on bill, aud Gm
prepared to vote for Il aud defend 1t II such Il
bill wee presented, or even II 1t were atnl pos.
Siolc TO secure Its presentation with q reasonable
hope Of It's passage during the present session Of
Congress; but every one knows that such Il bill
eau not DO presented and passed ut this time:
consequently TO favor such IL measure under the
circumstances could only result in defeating the
bill We are now considering, and thus prevent
any tension legislation hy the Fitty..irst Con
grcSs.
Under this bill nhont leo 600 soldiers who have
reached the aye Of sixty, will go upon the pen.
sion roll; Also II large number Of soldiers wild.
W who have like wise passed their siStieth
milestone Will go upon the roll. and probably
10000 rejected and pending claims Will be
allowed under the measure. The object, there
fore, Is 10 render relief to all soldiers sixty years
OF age. TO all soldiers who are nov dfsett.c1 or
disabled, without regard TO their ages, aud to
all widows OF diseased soldiers who wore de-
pep"enr rfon their husbands fo7 support.
. q y . . "
From 1861 to 1865 our citizen soldiers, for
whose benefit VIC nIe today c~nactiug this ser.
yicc-pcnsiou law, were the Government. 1t was
not the powers ut Washington during that dark
period TINT were the Government. 1t Was the
soldiers III the field. They were the State. High.
raised bgiilcmcnts. or thick. massive wills, or
proud cities, OR starred au1 spangled courts do
no; constitute Il State; but high minnGd lnen
who know their duties aud lhei. rights, and
knowing dare maintain them: mea who bark
the sovereign law and are loyal to It's teachings;
men who Will crush the tyrhnt while they rend
his chain, and. II need be, offer themselves as Il
'actifcc TO their nations good and glory
These, Mr.. Speaker, constitute Il State: and
such were our soldiers in the late iratylcidal
Wal. They arc our Nations wards to, day, and n
| grateful people wifi sec that they arc cared for.
I esteem II the greatest privilege OF my lie 10 be
permitted to vote In the American Congress for
II bill Ike this one, which will bring comtoit to
so many, honest OF the soldiers Of TIC greatest
war Of history.