The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-10-06
SICK AND WELL

whose worthy names adorn the roll. and to all oul
| people who delight to honor the brave and the
true 1t is also due to those who in years 10 come
should be allowed TO hear reverentiy aud lovingly,
the story of American patriotism and fortitude,
| illustrated by pension-roll. The preferences
| accorded TO veteran soldiers in public employment
should be secured TO them honestly and without
evasion, and when capable and worthy their claim
to the helpful regard and gratitude of their country
men should be ungrudgingly acknowledged.
An old rhyme, of worldwide application,
on account of ite innate truth, runs thus:
When the devil was sick the devil q monk would
be;
When the devil got well-the devil a monk was he.
Mr.. Cleveland as a candidate and Mr..
Cleveland a. an official are in as different
frames of mind as his Satanic Majesty when
sick and when well.
Out of Office and a candidate for it, he is
| like the devil when sick, -overfowing with
promises to be good-very, very good in the
future Once in office, he is like the devil
when well-entirely regardless of his fair
promises and words smoother than butter"
Then the war that was in his heart
manifests itself in his tongue and hand.
As candidate he can prattle meaningless
phrases like the above. As President, and
when measure is before him to give prac-
teal effect to these fair promises, he can
write such brutal insults as these extracts
from his message vetoing the Dependent
Pension Bill:
| / cannot but remember that the soldiers of our
| civil war, in their pay and bounty, received such
compensation for military services as has never been
received by soldiers before since mankind went to
| war that never before, behalf Of any sodiery,
have many and such generous laws been passed
10 relieve against the incidents of that statutes
have been passed giving tn EN- preference In all
public employments; that the real needy and
homeless Union soldiers of the rebellion have been
to large extent provided for al Soldiers Homes.
instituted and supported by the Government.
where they maintained together. free from the
sense OF degradation which attaches to the usual
support OF charity.
II is sad, but nevertheless true THAT already In
the matter of procuring pensions there crisis acide
spread disregard Of truth and good faith stimulated
by those who as agents undertake 10 establish
| claims for pensions. .
This bill would not only stimulate weakness and
pretended incapacity for labor but put q further
premium on dishonesty aud mendaoity.
So arrant was Mr.. Clerelands hypocrisy
in this matter, that it was intolerable even
to his party friends, and they did not hest
tate to expose and denounce 1t on the floor
of the House of Representatives, and 175
members of that House-out of 500 present
supported that denunciation by their votes
to pass the bill over his Veto
Col. c. c. Matson. Chairman of the Com
mittee on Invalid Pensions, and afterward
Democratic candidate for Governor Of Tndi-
ana, presented the report Of the committee,
which was signed by all the members-nine
Democrats and six Republicans-and it
was scathing exposure Of Mr.. Cleveland's
fragrant double-dealing with regard to
the matter. 1t abounds in such sentences
as these:
The Executive seeks to place a con-
struciion upon the bill different from that which
was clearly intended, and which, we believe, is
clearly expressed. . . We submit with con-
fdencs to the discriminating Judgment of the
House and The country, that but one construction
can be given it, and that is the adopted by
your committee.
Could a direct accusation Of perFersion of
fact 60 farther, and yet remain within the
limits of official courtesy? Fortunately
it is rare indeed that we have seen the
political friends of President forced to
make such Characterization of his words in
formal report to the House Again, the
report says:
The words which prescribe the right to q PEN
! sion entirely exclude the construction
sought TO be given by the President
Again:
7aken altogether and NOT so defiontey analysed That
he Refinement Of chemical experiment Is exceeded In
effort 10 do otray sciA The plain provisions Of The
Liu we again submit to the Judgment of the House
and the country that those who framed after
months Of careful, deliberate consultation have
made no mistake.
Even these repeated denunciations Of the
Presidents double-dealing do not satisfy
the committee. His regeneration il so
fragrant that they feel compelled to return
TO the matter a few paragraphs later in the
report with this crushing rejoiner:
We regard the strained Interpretation put
upon the bill In the message as AN EXCUSE
rather than a reason for returning II to the
House, and we believe we do no injustice to
the Executive when, considering the whole
message, we say that il its provisions had
| been palmer, and that no question could
only those unable to labor, that he would
have yet interposed objections.
Still later the committee accuses the
President Of actual duplicity. After quoting
some expressions by him in his message
similar to those which appear in the above
extract from his letter of acceptance the
committee says:
1 The experience Of your committee had brought
| them tito hearty accord with these views of the
President and largely ia accordance trit his sug-
geSions they framed bill which they then thong bit
and still continue TO think. viii best accomplish
| the ends proposed.
Referring TO the Presidents gratuitous
SANDER upon the veterans. the committee
says with patriotic warmth:
Your committee do not share in the opinion
that there exists widespread diErepard nj truth