The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-03-24
FOR ALLEN r. FOOTE'S EYE.
Good Reason Why Every Old Soldier Should b
Pensioned.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In late
paper / notice paragraph said to be copied
from the December Forum and purport-
ing to be the sentiments OF one Lieut.
Allen r. Foote. The phrase referred to is
The Degradation of Pensions" I care moth
ing for the context where the phrase occurs.
So pension degrades its recipient? 1t sug-
gests that the soldier expected or expects a re-
ward for doing his duty, etc.
Now, Mr.. Allen Il. Foote does not appear to
appreciate the fact that every volunteer who
enlisted for three months, one year, or dur
ing the war;" whether his motives were pure
patriotism or ignorant excitement, signed his
life away, if the Government demanded it.
The Government, through its chosen war lead
ers might and could place those soldiers where
their lives would or could be extinguished
quickly as the 5nuffng-out Of candle.
If soldier returned well and UNNAMED, il
was fate, or =" the chances of war;; his life
was not insured nor assured for a month or
even one week.
Does Dir. Allen R. Foote recall the wages OF
the privates-those who did the fatigue duty"
of the army? Thirteen paper dollars month,
equal TO about six dollars in gold.
Every one does know, should know, that
a part of the time the soldiers fare was none
too good for dog to eat. If he purchased
few necessities for himself out Of that six dol
lars, what was there left for his family at home?
4 he State aid 2" Yes; equivalent to % cents
for each minor child, and 81 cents for the wife,
per week; and flour from $40 to $3.50 bar
rel; cornmeal $3.50 bushel; pork from 20 to
% cents per pound, and factory sheeting from
half dollar to 50 cents per yard, etc
Here in my own family is volunteer SOL
der who served his time and received an hon.
orable discharge lie never applied for PEN
sion until falling faculties compelled him to
give up work. He applied under the law of
Inv Y = l.. OkI, n
his pension is not forthcoming yet.
If our Government would appropriate less
for unnecessary public buildings here and
there, and for dredging unavailable river bot
toms, and, instead, assist the old soldiers before
they are dead become actual paUpers it
would be more reverenced at home and abroad.
Pension every soldier in consistent manner.
Do not force one-half the soldiers to pay taxes
that the other half may be pensioned. Suitably
pension all, for no doubt many of the sneaking
towards suffered more than the brave soldiers,
and often they stopped the bullets on the way
to better men.
One more suggestion to Allen R. Foote and
others of his ilk. If he is Christian, and 1
apprehend he may be, let him forbear charita-
BILE assistance to all; let him suspend mission
airy donations; let him cease all good works,
looking to sunny eternal life and crown and
harp as a reward; for to have Heaven thrust
upon him in return for laboring to secure
through ticket" would be degradation.Y
Out upon such balderdash."
Give the soldiers now quickly share of what
they toiled and bled to save. Run some risk
of pensionng a rascal here and there rather
than let an honest soldier sink into pauperisn.
There are some " bitches " in the running-gear
of this American Republic that would call
blush to the face Of marble statue Yours
for the boys in blue, yesterday, to-day, and
forever"-M. 1. CUMMINGS, 512 Kearny avenue,
San Diego Cal.