West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1893-04-06
VETERANS PROTEST.

oh'oi"i organ OF the ". "A. L..
sounds a note of warning on behalf
OF the veterans, that should be read
and studied by every honest survi-
ver of the war. 1t lays bare the
vast pension frauds and proves its
assertions by incohtrovertible facts
and figures.
The Gdzefto recognizes that the
revision of the pension lists has
become a necessity that sthe
iengthening of the roll beyond all
reasonable, or even credible, dimen
sions. even Mt the present time.
with hundreds of thousands of cases
still pending, makes it subject
for investigation and sitting that
shall place the blame where it
resides, on the claim sharks who
were the progenitors OF obnoxious
laws aud the coffee coolers desert
ers and dead beats who have made
our roll OF honor the subject of
sneers, ridicule aud contempt"
Bear in mind it is not a .soldier
hating newspaper that u.tcrs these
words, but the official organ of the
q. A. r. 1t continues
Again and again have we cried
out and cautioned the real soldier
element that the incapables and
good for-nothing attachments of
the brave fighting boys would bring
disgrace and continuity upon them
~ demanding the passage of laws
that would inhre to their benefit to
the dctriment of Justice and hon
estY, and IL seems that time has
rived ut last. We believe in an
'onest. square pension roll, grant
ing what is properly due to those
who won it by service. Nothing.
IN our estimation, is too good for
the gallant boys who met the shocks
of battle and campaign, and if the
roll were simply to comprise these
Chen what that intrepid officer.
General Garfield, SAID twenty-five
years ago would prove true, the
pension amount would not exceed
$50, 100000 per year. 1t was an
assertion based upon what ho knew
WAS equity, right, justice. 1t was
based upon a knowledge of the
soldier, the true soldier, with wall
OF iron against the bans and perui-
elo1s laws. The lines we're TO be
restricted under even broad laws.
and this was Immediately after the
conclusion of the war.
Since then hundred thousand
OF those who have been entitled TO
Dement'S have been carried to their
graves, the lines have narrowed. and
yet the pension list has been grow.
ing and growing in volume, until
now it seems like a cyclone darken-
fng the sky. terrifying the inhabi-
tants OF peaceful country.
" 1t is claimed, saws the Gazefte.
"that 100000 soldiers enlisted
during the war, or from 1861 TO
1860 In this enlistment each one
stands out MS distinct personality.
when III truth the same man may
have represented several, a thirty
day, a three months, elk months.
nine months, one year, two years,
and even three years man, serving
full or partial time, and again reen-
listing, thousands and thousands.
several times over. 1T includes
eases Of men answering short and
emergency calls of few DAYS as
we'll as those who served for length
ened periods, and is in no degree
to be considered as the absolute
amy.
"Old soldiers Of the front know
That not mach more than 700 900
men pulled triggers from the com.
niencement to the end Of the war.
or we're ever actively engaged in
aghting. Deducting the reenlist-
Iaents, including the bounty iunp.
ere All over the country. many OF
whom enIisiel from five to fifty
times, and cach counted as zone"
enlistment, tho short term calls.
the deserters, the hngcrers 10 the
rear, whom neither persuasion nor
bayonets cculd get on the fighting
line, the hospital dead beats who
lived on the best Of the land and
never returned to their regiments
or conmnnds, and hundreds Of
thousands Of the grand total came
,unibling to The ground.
"Of She balance, large bodies.
Numbering thousands Of officers
and men, simply guarding the bor-
ders and performing light services.
When we say 100000 fighting men