Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1893-11-01
WHOLE NO. 1850.

Quoted In support thereof. We Insist
that where changes are made in the con-
struction OF the law, rules OF evidence
and schedule OF ratings, unfavorable to
claimants, they must and should be lin
ited In their operation to the future work
OF the office, and not the past. An ex
post facto regulation Is as repugnant to
our sense OF justice as an ex post facto
law, and we protest against the adoption
and enforcement OF any such regulations
In the matter OF pension claims.
Therefore, The Grand Army Of the Re-
public, In National Encampment assem-
bled, speaking for that great army OF
beloved comrades, many OF them too
poor, too bruised, to broken, too with
stand the strong arm OF the government
when administered with an unfriendly
hand, proud OF the good name and fair
fame OF the American Volunteer Soldier,
Interested far beyond any other person
or organization that the penson roll shall
In truth and In fact be what II is In
theory-a roll OF honor" and ever
mindful OF it's cardinal principal, "To
preserve honor and PURIFY In public af-
fairs, scouts and denies these indiscrim-
mate charges Of universal fraud and re-
selts the imputation that because some
unworthy survivors may be found, that
dlecredlt shall be cast upon the entire
roll, and this great body of brave and
patriotic citizens shall stand disgraced
before the country. We demand, that
there shall be no backward step in PEN
sion legislation or administration; that
no pensioner shall be deprived OF his
property without due process of law;
that the presumption shall be in favor OF
honesty aud fair dealing; that the poor
and lowly shall not be put to unnecessary
expensive or oppressive process to pre-
serve their meagre pittances; that the
sacred trust In favor of those who "have
borne the battle" shall be sacredly obser-
cd and sacredly administered; and We
do now solemnly and deliberately
Resolve, hat the Grand Army OF the
Republic looks with solicitude, not 10
say alarm, upon the proposition, that after
sufficient tribunals have been established
by law before which questions have been
presented aud adjudicated, upon evidence
submitted and examined, and upon which
u Grateful nation has accorded pensions III
this hour Of ueed TO those who in ito
houi OF need stood between IL aud death.
the oil ;ers OF that nation, administering
public trust, have arbitrarily deprived.
Without notice or an opportunity TO b.
heard, our needy aud distressed comrades
OF the rights thus solemnly adjudged and
confined to them.
We Declare, That every presumption
should be made in favor of such records
80 made, that no presumption OF fraud
shall be indulged III against them, anu
that no change be made in the pensions
50 accorded until after charges have been
made and evidence In support thereof has
been produced, OF which change each
pensioner has had full notice and full
and complete opportunity To be heard In
support of the pension 80 accorded to
him; and it is further
Resolved, That as the Commissioner
OF Pensions, by his recent Withdrawals OF
the obnoxious rulings which had been 80
generally condemned. has virtually ac-
knowledged tho incorrectness Of such
ruling, we deem 1t his further duty to at
once restore to the rolls tho thousands
Of pensioners now standing Illegally sus-
pended.