Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-10-27

week IN Washington. The old soldiers
are here in full force. Never since they
marched up Pennsylvania avenue at the
close of the war has Washington seen so
many of the veterans who saved the
country. And there is no less enthusiasm
for the flag and the country amoag the
thousands who tread PENNSYLVANIA ave
nue. today than there was IL quarter of a
century ago behind the battle stained
banners.
Changed Conditions.
But what change they find.
Instead of a treasury burdened with a
debt of S2,150, 900, 600 they find the treas
ury now with interest bearing debt of
less than 5000, 100000.
Instead of an annual interest charge
of $4,000 900, which the government
was compelled to pay at that time, they
ind now treasury whose annual inter-
est payment is in round numbers but
$40, 600, 900.
Instead of a government so reduced as
TO be compelled to pay more than per
cent. on the money which it borrowed TO
carry on its war for the preservation of
the nation they find one able to float its
bonds at par at ? per cent. per annum
interest.
Instead of a debt of seventy-eight dol
lars for each individual in the United
States they find an Indebtedness of thir-
teen dollars for each individual. and in
stead of per capita interest rate of
shy they now find an interest rate of
thlrty-tive cents per capita.
Reduced Taxes; Increased Commerce.
All this they find interesting.
They lind instead of a country COM
PEELED to raise $519, 100000 by tax
alton III year one which now taxes its
people less Than $400,0OOOOO year,
although her population has nearly
doubled meantime and the expenses of
government naturally increased.
They find Il country with foreign COM
merce of nearly $1,000, 100000 against
total of less than $500, 600, 900 in 1865.
They find instead of balance of trade
against the United States of S15, 900 900,
as was the case in 1865, that the balance
of trade in cur favor now is more than
800, 100000.
They find instead of domestic exports
amounting to $136, 900 900 then that our
exports during the past year We're more
than 81 900, 600, 900.
A Magnificent Pension System.
And this is not all.
They find magnificent pension office
with thousands of clerks employed in
examining into and paying the claims
for pension of the men who fought to
save the country
Instead of pension roll of So 900 men
and widows which they found in 1865,
they find to-day a pension roll of $50 900
soldiers and soldiers widows.
Instead of an annual payment of S.
500, 900 for pensions which they found in
1865, they find the government paying
$3.50, 900, OOOa year for pensions, and that
it has paid to them and their fellow
soldiers or their families 81 $50, 600, 900
in pensions since they marched up Penn
sylvania avenue at the close of the war
a quarter OF century ago.
One Painful Thought
One thing more they find, and it
brings sorrow and pain to every heart.
1t is that N the record of all this pros
perity, in thu record of the nations gen
erosity toward its defenders and their
families, the one man who has lifted his
hand against the soldier in the quarter
Of century which has passed since they
were last here did so from the presidents
chair in the White House, and did so
as the only representative of the Demo-
cratic party who has filled that exalted
station since the war.
1t is painful thought to these old
soldiers as they gather here that the only
representative which the Democratic
party have had in the White House since
5he country was reunited a quarter of
century ago should have been the only
man to raise his hand against them, and
% strike down with the official power
placed temporarily in his hands the evil
lences of affection which the congress of
/ grateful nation had voted them.
That the one Democratic president who
las occupied the White House since they
marched up Pennsylvania avenue TWEEN
y-hve years ago should have welded
he veto power against them hundreds
# times in a short four years term and
deprived 10000 soldiers homes and
antilles of the pittance which the con-
sress of q grateful nation had freely
7oted them throws a shadow, even at
hat long distance, over this gathering
# comrades.
Silver Lining to the Cloud.
But there is a silver lining to this
loud.
The man who occupies the White
House today they look upon as friend
nd a comrade. And they have reason
o to do. His words and acts have ali
,een of kindness and affection. He ex-
ends to them the cordially of COM
AIDES greeting. His own words i'll his
ecent letter of acceptance are written
lpon their hearts i'll living letters, ga
omrade in the column Of the victor's |
'arade in 1865, | am not less a comrade |
low."
The Republican Party Did 1t.
One other thought which comes to |
hese old soldiers as they gather here |
nd note the magnificent record of the |
asst quarter of a century: This reduc- |
ion of the public debt; this wonderful |
ecrease in rates of per capita indebted
ess and interest; this unparalleled |
rOwth i'll commerce and commercial |
this magnificent tribute Of |
he nations affection for the old soldier !
lement; they are all the work of the Re |
party, whose wisdom and states
nanship have controlled the policy of
he government ever since they gave rs