The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1891-06-13
DErEzBEsr PENSION BILL.

Major Barksdale IN crllicislng cena-
tor Georges position on this measure
says:
"That bin is rank paternaiism, a
monster Of injustice and wrong 10 the
whole people Of the country, and es-
pecially 70 the plundered aud tax
ridden and ealumniated people Of the
outh.7-[Barksdale's speech at Kosci-
usko May 2S, 1891.
From ignorant inexperienee the
above would not be surprising but
coming as it does. sfrom lnan of Maj
Barksdaie's long experience in legIsla-
tive and political matters, it seems to
US rather q vain expedient, Of a des-
perate strait-an appeal 10 the pas
sions and prejudices of our people,
with the vain hope that treacherous
memory or inadvertance might allow
the enunciation of the Democratic
party on that subject, in nationsl eou-
vention assembled, to pass unnoticed,
until the purpose Of the above could
be effected. But presuming upon the
ignorance of the people, the astute
Major makes another mistake. lie
has either forg often that the Demo-
cratic party in its platform favors the
policy of pensiouing Federal soldiers,
or like the desperate gambler, know
ing the weakness Of his hand. stakes
his all-makes bluff to overawo his
opponent. But that game will net
work-the true facts must be revealed
and me Majors hand must be shown
to the world. lie criticises Senator
George for voting for this measure
when he was member of the commit
tee 1--WE are adyised) of the National
Democratic Convention, that prepared
and reported the following which was
adopted by the convention:
"That our soldiers and sailors, who
carried the flag of our country to vic
tory against their most gallant aud de-
termined foe, must ever be gratefully
remembered, and all the guarantees
given In their favor must be faithfully
carried into execution"
But let us see what else the Demo-
cratic party has said on the subject of
pensions. The platform of 1872 pro-
vides as follows:
"That we remember with gratitude
the heroism and sacrifices of the sol
diers and sailors Of the Republic, and
no act of ours shall ever detract from
their justly earned fame or the full re-
wards of their patriotism
This is the declaration of the Ma
tional Democracy. Now In conclusion
we desire to say that Senators George
and Walthall did not vote for the bill
referred to by Maj. Barksdale In the
clipping above, OH Its passage. They
voted for II one time, but afterwards
1t was amended and upon its final pas
sage they voted against it. They voted
on this measure as every true and
loyal Democrat who holds the good
and welfare of his people above sordid
selfshness would have voted. They
did what they believed to be their
duty-they did right.-Groenwood
Enterprise.
Here Is an extract from the platform
adopted by the last National Demo-
cratic Convention which assembled in
st. Louis, June, 1888, and nominated
our National ticket:
"While carefully guarding the inter-
est of the tax payers and conforming
strictly to the principles Of justice and
equity 1t has paid out more for pen
sions and bounties to the soldiers and
sailors of the Republic than was ever
paid before during an equal period
The principal and only intelligent
objection to Gen. Georges record is on
account of his vote OIL the Dependent
Pensions Bill. In the first place, he
never voted for tho monstrous bill
which is now the law. He voted for
the bill as originally drawn which ap-
propriated several millions less than
the present law. However else we may
view 1t, the vote was In strict accord
with Democratic policy as laid down
in the platform of 'Ss. AS for the
Democratic platform, IL was adopted
by the Southern as we'll as Northern
men. Eighteen representative Missis.
sippians voted for II at st. Louis. VIZ
regret 1t, but recognize the necessity
of 1t.
George and Walthall's vote on the
| original bill did not affect its passage