The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-06-12
is much larger than it was 10 years ago, SO
that even with the lower pro rata its share
would be much more than S573I6.
A SNAKE IN THE GRASS.

Inab even Win the lower pro rata It's share
would be much more than S57,3l6.
A SNAKE IN THE GRASS.
One of the most virulent of the soldier.
hating papers in the interior of the country
is the Chicago NewS. 1t has recently sent
the following circular broadcast among the
comrades:
DEAR SIR: Tho justice Of liberal treatment of the
survivors-now disabled or dependent by renson
of service during the of the rebellion-is deeply
lodged In the heart of every patriotic American
What shall constitute tho measure Of such liberal
treatment is question of grave Importance and
ono in which every member of the Grand Army OF
the Republic has direct personal interest.
Members of Congress seem TO lack definite ideas
upon the subject Pension bills acceptable to the
Senate rejected radically changed in tho
House, and vice versa. Much of this hesitation and
conflict is undoubtedly due TO want OF positive in
formation. II is conceived that such information
may be best obtained from the old soldiers them
selves, aud this is the willing mission of the
Chicago Daily Ncrs-to the success of which il ask
the assistance of every Grand Army member In
the Western States
viii you, therefore, kindly I'LL out and return
the inolosed blank TO the Office OF this paper at
your early convenience.
Very truly yours. VICroR Il. LAWSON.
little thought will show the animus Of
this. The NcGs has not the slightest desire to
see single veteran pensioned. On the other
hand it has Indignantly opposed each and
every measure that seemed TO have any
prospect of success 1t does not believe
that Members Of Congress seem to lack
definite ideas on the subject" 1t knows
that there is no subject before them upon
which they have been more carefully in
formed. Upon none other-unless possibly
the tariff-has there been so much said in
the last 10 years Most Of the Senators and
Representatives have studied the subject
exbaustively. They are in daily commune
cation with their constituents i'll regard to
it; they have discussed il on the stump; on
the floors of Congress, and in veteran gath
erings; GAR. bodies, from the Posts to the,
National Encampments, have been careful
and painstaking in furnishing them infor-
nation as to the desires of the veterans
The same has been done by the official
mouthpiece of the veterans in pension
matters-the GAR National Pension Com
mittee. Certainly the National Legislators
are not in want OF positive information"
The object of the Nc'rs is to get such ex-
pressions of dissent, by means of its sheet
of cunningly framed questions, as will aid
in defeating any proposed pension legisla
ton. 1t wants 10 show Congress that no
bill will satisfy all the veterans; that they
are irreconcilably divided among them
selves, and that it is useless to attempt to
satisfy them.
These are tactics which have been before
employed TO defeat pension legislation.
They are grossly unfair. Veterans are in
dependent in their thinking, as they have n
right TO be, and there never was pension
bill framed TO which objections could not
be urged. But the soldiers Of the country
are united solidly in support of the meas
urcs recommended by the GAR. National
Pension Committee, and in support Of tho
bills now before Congress. in 50 far as they
carry out those recommendations The ouly
objection TO those bills is their nadequacy-
that they fall short Of rendering the justice
demanded by the National Encampmcnt,
speaking for the whole body Of ex-soldicrs.
The comrades generally understand the
Chicago Ners's cunning manuyer to divide
them, and every day We receive letters de-
nouncing it.