Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-04-06
HOW WILL YOU VOTE
Charles x. Gibson Propounds the
Query to the Old Vsts-
THEY SHOULD STAND IOCEIHER
Aad So ppsrt These who Have Befrieaaea
Iasm From first IN Last. Notwith-
standing Seemingly Sunaeisas
Reasons for Dissent

To the Editor TKlGsKAs HERALe.
The candidates of tho three political
parties are considerably concerned
about the status OF the veterans IN the
Soldiers Hume At this present juno
ture. The 500 or more votes at the
home are surely worth looking after,
~ much less number may decide the
day. He will be wise oracle who can
declare Just how the old boys do stand
just now. as the ill-adyised action of
the board of managers in ordering the
surrender OF their pensions caused
many OF them to declare that they
would Fever vote the Republican ticket
again. They expected better things
from that party, as il bad always posed
as their steadfast friend .just before
the hated oraer was read Gov. Luce
made them very sweet speech. aud
they were so pleased with it that they
cheered him heartily; yet al the same
the order for which he 10 held to be
principally responsible. had been ap-
proved by the Loard, aud signed 10y his
exceiiepcy the Governor. Had they
known the actual facts he wouh have
been Kissed more heartily than he had
been cheered.
shrcwd Democratic Scheme.
1t would seem that the new Board Of
Managers, the majority OF whom are
Democrats. made very shrewd move
IN sEspending the fated order until
after This election. They have gwen
the veterans TO feel that Democratic
board is more friendly 10 them than
their so-calied Republican friends; but
the fact that the rule 10 only temper
ari.y suspended and not revoked; aud
the suspicion that at the next meeting
OF the board it may be put IN full force,
renders them less enthusiastic than
they would otherwise he. Had the
new board promptly revoked this order,
and thus put the party squarely OH re-
cord rs tn this particular matter, the
veterans would doubtless have rolled
up u majority there, which would lie u
proper index OF their regard for their
friends. We can hardly blame them
for voting for their friends; tut Just
now they are rather uncertain as to
whom they can trust.
Not Forsottsn vetoes.
Soldiers have not forgotten what
Grover did with his vetoes, and they
have yet to see marked indications that
the Democratic party. North and
south. feels very kindly to them, and
comparatively few soldiers are as vet
ardent Democrats; and so many OF the
soldiers Home boys are somewhat UNI
decided ~ to their political action, and
as We have eeen, there Is good reason
Tor their present indecision. Now, If
any Republican soldier voted the DEM
ocratic ticket on purpose TO teach the
Republican party . salutary les
son, it would seem unnecessary
to respect the act at present.
Any feeling OF revenge ought to be ap-
peased this time, One thing is certain:
Soldiers ought to stand by each other
as far as possible; and can not can-
ceive OF ANY good reason why a soldier
should not vote for q solaier when he
has an opportunity TO do so.
Two soldier Candidates.
There are Mt least two soldiers who
are asking for our support at the cleo
ton next Monday, viz: Robert NJ.
Montgomery, who is q candidate for o
Justice of the Supreme Court, and
Thomas 4. Reed, who is candidate
for supervisor of Grand Rapids town.
ship. Mr.. Reed was IN excellent SOL
der, member of my own company
and regiment, and he is as good
citizen rs he was soldier.
and l will esteem it a SPECIAL
favor 10 myself if ex-soldiers in that
township. and tins includes ali the vet
Grams in the home. will vote foI him.
lie is now sick abed, unable TO speak
for himself, and gladly speak for
him. Could or should any comradc do
lcss7 Judge Montgomery is too we'll
known to need any praise from ME. 1t
is sufficient to say he was a good sol
der; and all soldiers may be assured
that when he sets on the Supreme
Bench their interests will be in good
hands. Vote for him. Now. ! am not
paid for this article. neither docs any
political candidate know that l have
written 1t. My sense of my duty to a
comrade is my sole excuse and reward.
CHARLES X. Gibson.
April 4, '9I.