Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-10-25
A TRUE STORY.

non. IL. IL, rockwell, OF flfnlIa, SlFcs
I in The Gazette Of that city the follow.
ing case illustrating tho hollowness OF
Republican love for tho old soldier:
Everybody in Elmra knows David K.
DunntN, of Baldwin post, G. A. L. For
years Comrade Bunnell was a shoemaker
in the employ OF J. Richardson & CO.,
aud had their respect and regard, as he
did that Of every one who knew him.
His eyesight failed and he was forced
10 abandon his employment and knew
no other trade whereby TO earn liveli-
hood. When Mr.. Cleveland became
president Mr.. Bunnell was appointed a
guard in the treasury department, n
position for which his integrity and sol
dicIly qualities eminently fitted him.
He held the position till last fall, when
the pressure Of Republican oficeholders
became SO strong that he was told he
would have 10 give way for Repub-
lcan.
Naturally he was crushed. II meant
the dcprival OF means of subsistence for
himself and family. 1t meant depend
euce-possibly pauperism. lie went TO
Assistant Secretary Nettleton and made
tie appeal. The secretary sympathized
with him, admitted lis efficiency and
expressed regret at the situation, but
claimed to be powerless in the matter.
Finally he said, "Bunnell, II you can
g,t tho recommendation Of some promi-
ucut Republican Of your city or state
may bo able to keep YOU" 1t was ray
Of hope. Senator Fassett was TO DO IN
Washington in few days 10 attend a
meeting Of the national committee and
Duuucll had known him since boyhood.
As a member Of tho campfire committee
Of baldwin post he had entertained Mr..
Fa,-ett and heard him dilate in glowing
ard eloquent terms on his love for the
veteran soldier. ~ think" he said,
"that Mr.. Fassett will recommend me-
20 hich the secretary replied that
would make it all right
Mr. Tassctt came TO Washington, and
Mr.. Buuucil went to SEQ him and stated
the case with confidence in FassetTs
goodness Of heart and love for tue sol
Gier. lie pleaded with the earnestness
of a dcspailiug man in behalf OF himself
and family, aging that by single word
Fas-ctt could save an old ncighbor and
lis dependents from destitutlon. Mr..
Fa,agtt heard him through, and then,
with frank brutality aud unnecessary
cruelty. said: Mr.. Bunnell, | know
what You ray is true. know that you
were good soldier and are good citi-
zen. But | also know that you are
good Democrat, and shall recommend
10 tho Secretary to put somo good Re
publican in your place as soon as lie can
find him" That was all.
Since then Comrade Bunnell has been
duiug odd jobs a. he could catch them,
earning a nero pittance. have been
in his room in Washington-up five
Ci.uts Of stsirs--where with q bed, a
table, a chair anl small stove he sas
/ lived and ewcltorcd through the hong
months cooking his own food when he
| could get it 10 cook, patiently searching
| employment and hoping against hope
| that lie may be spared the necessity Of
going toa soldiers home and leaving his
! family dependent
Recently lac met with an accident and
now lies on his pallet with broken ribs
and bruised body, with no one TO care
for him or minister 10 him In his pain
and suffering, and it was In this con-
ditiou that his comrades Of Baldwin
post found him when they visited Wash
iugton at the recent encampment