Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-10-23
GENERAL mukRoE IN TOWN
In the Interest of the Eight Dollar Services
Pension.

Among the arrivals at the Windsor
Yesterday was General Nelson Munroe,
of John Andrews Post G. a. r., No. 10,
of Massachusetts,. General Munroe Is
here in the interest OF the eight dollar
service pension. He is on his way TO
Youngstown, but will return TO this city
next week to visit the two Grand Army
posts at their regular meetings in order
to present the matter. The pension
measure advocated by Gen. Munroe,
which is expected to be finally settled
by the next Congress, is supported by
an Organization of which Gov. a. Z.
Hovey is president.
At present pensions run in 81, 81, 60
and IS payments, but under the new
system advocated by General Munroe,
tits expected there will be no payments
less than IS, and that all who are now
receiving less than that sum VIII De
raised to that point, the same not to In
terfere with any increase over that
point.
AT every session since the war;" SAID
General Munroe, especial bills have
been freely passed appropriating liberal
sums for the benefit of notable officers
or the widows of those who achieved
exalted positions at the expense OF the
more deserving rank and file. But Tor
the common soldier, his humble widow,
his abandoned orphans, or for any OF
those thousands who had no political or
social influence, there was no paternal
government.
The friendless petitioner can obtain no
benefits authorized only through strlct
compliance with the letter OF the law,
and with impracticable and cruelty I'M
Just requirements established by the au-
tocracy of the pension bureau. Inc
pOverty-stricken veteran must prove
absolutely by his own witnesses that he
was an able-bodied man in perfect
health when he enlisted, and that he
contracted his disability while IN the
performance of his military duty.
II is an irOnclad rule not TO furnish
information or testimony against the
department. The victim of misplaced
confidence is directed to seek two or
more of his comrades who will swear to
certain super1uous requirements.
These comrades have wandered, no one
knows whittier, or have long ago joined
the silent majority.
The widow of the picket who was
found with bullet in his brain can dis
cover no one who will make affidavit
that he saw the man shot, nor obtain
any knowledge of the scout who never
returned 10 camp and was reported as
missing" For such no pensions are
provided. And this is why we claim
that the eight dollar pension bill should
De passed. Thousands Of urgent COM
munications addressed TO the Honorable
Commissioner of Pensions have not
been acknowledged short OF three years.
1t is by no means uncommon for twenty
years TO elapse before veteran with
good claim can get his pension, 10 case
he lives that long. What good Is pen
sion 20 d dead man?
In round numbers, there are to-day
about 3O0,O 900 applications for relief
pending before the pension bureau,
which apparently cannot be adjudi-
Gated and disposed of under existing
regulations because of insufficient in
formation. This it is impossible for the
petitioners to furnish although 1t ought
TO be given in almost every instance by
the muster rolls and hospital returns in
possession of the government"