The National tribune., 1890-04-24
AN OPEN LETTER.


mind you that decided majority of you
who sit in the Nations councils were elected
upon distinct pledges of justice TO the vet
Grams and their dependent ones. Nor were
these pledges vague and general in their
nature. Quite the contrary. The veterans
and their friends had had quite enough
of that sort of thing For years they had
been fed TO safety on rhetorical rhapsodies
and glitiering generalities, which never took
the practical form of laws duly enacted to
confer upon them the benefits desired
They wanted no more of ii. They deter
mined TO have no more of fulsome praise and
empty promise. Consequently, the National
campaign of 1883 was conducted on another
plan. The veterans entered it with a clearly
defined statement of what was due them,
and what they expected from those they
honOTed with their votes. Every candidate
was carefully informed as TO their wishes,
and given the option Of rejecting or support
ing the measures advocated. As rule,
those who agreed TO support the measures
were elected those who would not so agree
or who were opposed to them were defeated
This is well known to all of you. Many
more than half of you owe your seats directly
10 the votes of veterans, which votes you
received because of your distinct and def
mite pledges TO support the legislation they
favored.
What was this legislation? 1t was, il
brief:
1. The passage of disability pension bill
2 The passage of service pension bill
either with or without the per diem feature
B. The repeal of the Limitation to the ar
rears Of pensions.
T. The equalization of bounties.
5. The passage of bill TO pension prison
ers Of war.
6. More liberal pensions to dependen
parents, orphans. severely disabled men, etc
You have now been in session since th,
first Monday in December - nearly iiy
months-and as yet you have not passed
single bill embodying in its entirety one Q
these main features. What explanation ca
be given Of this singular neglect TO fulfil
your pledges given so freely before election
| What possible reason exists for this unac
countable delay in doing the thing whicI
you were elected to do, and which, in you
speeches and other acts before the election
you assumed to be your paramount duty
Before the election you held that justice {
4
that it must take precedence over every thin
else. Why has everything else been Above
TO take precedence over IL? Why have so
not at least given some earnest Of passin
at least one of the measures which til
veterans have demanded rs their right?
We are hearing much now-bolh on tn
floor of Congress and elsewhere of the in
mensiiy Of the cost Of these measures. Di
you not consider this cost during the can
paign, and discuss ii on the stump? Is I'll
cost any greater now than when you wei
candidates? Is the immensely of the e.
penditures any more apparent to-day than
was when you received your nomination
on platforms urging the fullest justi,
20 the veterans aud when You appeal,
for votes on the ground that you propos,
to assist in doing what no previous Congre
. had done in tie way Of substantial eqni
20 the Nations defenders and rescuers I?
E II is the firm belief Of the veterans th
the country relieved you Of all responsible
as 10 the cost when you were elected up,
the issue Of justice 10 the soldiers. r
country passed upon the whole matter the
: and decided emphalically in favor of I
veterans and the measures they urged. 7
question Of the cost was decided with {
rest. This is the latest expression Of [
l. viii Of the people upon the matter, and
T" other expression can he had until anotf
=. general election. II only remains for yon
IS carry out the will of the people express
&c then. The responsibility for the cost is ~
them, not upon you.
~ But while we ARE on this question Of c,
IS we desire TO present for your considerable
few facts which may not have been brou,
T. TO your attention. The first and most