People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1894-08-31
TO OLD SOLDIERS.

=
as near as l can, some facts
)r statements l uttered in regard to
pension legislation in an imprOmptu
speech CT few vehement remarks |
made to the Peoples party club Sat-
urday evening, August Is, and to
which you listened.
For several years previous to the
of 1855, the soldiers of the
civil war and their friends favored a
different pension system than then
existed, and the subject was thor
Oughly discussed at soldiers cOnven-
tiOnS, camp fires, reunions and G.. A.
L. posts. The old parties realized
that these old soldiers and their
friends would exercise a great inhu-
ence on the campaign of 1888. How
to get their vote was the important
question. After a most thorough
discussion and agitation of the Ques-
ton it was determined by those hav-
ing charge of the soldiers interest in
the matter, that a service pension.
securing to every soldier who had
served in the union army ninety days
or more, a certain rate per day dur
ing time of actual service. Legisla.
ton for a bill OF this kind seemed TO
be the most acceptable to the soldiers
generally, to members of congress
and to candidates of the republican
party who were deSircuS of being
elected. After the national conven-
ton, which nominated BENJAMIN
Harrison for president. it was thought
best by the leaders of the republican
party to make Overtures to these old
and their friends, and to
their associations, camp fires. reun.
ions and G. A. R. posts, district and
national.
An agreement was made and a
promise most strongly expressed and
Implied that if the old soldiers
throughout the country would Loyalty
vote the republican ticket, and if the
candidates of the party for president
and congress should be elected. so
that the party cODld control both
houses, the service pension legislation
asked for by the G. A. R. posts and
oCher associations would be granted
al the first session of congress imme.
dlatly after the Inauguration of
President Harrison. This promise
was so thoroughly understood by the
OLD soldiers throughout the country
generally, that they went to work
earnestly and with a good will 70
carry out their part of the contract.
The result we all know. BENJAMIN
harrison was triumphantly elected.
and both houses of congress were in
possession Of the republican party by
huge ma critics.
A service pension bill was formu-
lated and embodied by a committee
appointed by tie national G.. Ar.
A national service pension associa-
zion OF e. A. R. men and old soldiers
was organized to look after the inter-
eStS of the defenders of the nation
and to present this bill to republican
congressman and secure its immedi-
ate passage according to agreement.
In the early days of the congress in
December, 1889, this bill was brought
before congress for action by some of
the members who recollected the
promise and agreement made by re-
publican leaders. But for some rea.
son. known only TO bOndhOlders. Wall
street brokers, national bankers
presidents Of trusts and corporations
and these republican congressman
themselves, this bill could not be
brought into prominence as readily
aS expected or agreed upon. There
was something in the way, more i'm.
pOrtant business before that congress
In the interest of those who shot with
money and capital, and shot with il
to kill all that was done for the old
soldiers and wOrkingmen.
When the officers of the G.. A. R.
and service pension association real.
lied that there was opposition to the
passage of this bill, they became
aroused to action and sent out speak.
erS and agents throughout the whole
country to urge all old soldiers To
write to their respective members Of
both houses of congress, and to use
every means possible to get them to
pass this bill.
The returns of the assessors of the
spring of 1888 showed that there were
in the state of Kansas more than one
hundred thousand old soldiers at that
time. Through their great labors
aud influence and votes, the great
majority of eighty-twO thousand for
the republican party was secured at
the presidential election of 1898. The
eyes OF the national G.. A. R. and the
service pension association were