The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-01-24
Text OF tho liill.

Text OF the Bill.
| "Whereas, Many officers. soldiers. sailors
and marines of the Federal army and nav!
were confined In so-called Confederate
| prisons for u great length of time. suffer
ing unusual hardships and contracting
diseases and disabilities difficult to full!
prove under existing pension laws: there
| fore, for the purpose Of doing Justice tt
| a specially deserving class Of surviving
veterans of the war: be 1t
ENACTED, BY the senate and house of rep
! resentatives of the United States OF Amer
lea in congress assembled that ths
| secretary Of the interior be. and Is hereby
authorized and directed to place on the
pension roll the names OF each and all
officers. soldiers, sailors and marines now
surviving who, while in the service OF
the United States and In the line OF thei,
duty, were taken prisoners of war and as
such confined in so-called Confederate
prisons between the first day or May,
eighteen hundred and sixty-one, and thl
first day of May. eighteen hundred and
siXty-five: and there shall be- paid 10 every
officer, soldier sailor and marine 50 placed
on the pension roll the sum of two dollars
for each and every day he was so confined
in any such prison: and. Furthermore. and
in addition, such surviving prisoners of
war Sndll tacn receive IHt sum Twelve
dollars for each month during the re-
mander OF his natural life: provided, that
each pension shall In each case begin from
the date of the passage Of this act and be
paid at the same time and In the same
manner as other pensions are now paid
provided further, that this act shall not
entitle any person to draw more than one
pension. but that such surviving prisoners
Of war as are entitled to and are receiving
a pension at the time of the passage Of
this act shall be entitled to the increase
of their pension which this act may grant
them. and in no event shall the fact that
u person Is drawing pension preclude
him from receiving the full amount of said
two dollars per day in addition to the
monthly pension allowed him.
Waited Long and Patiently.
We have waited long and patiently for
this legislation and recognition from con-
gress, and II we do not make u vigorous
effort 1t will be further and probably in
definitely postponed. and for that reason
and many others. we should do our utmost t
at this time. Justice and humanity de-
mand II from the hands of our govern
ment, which the valor and sacrifices OF our
comrades saved from dissolution and made
its present greatness possible. To secure the
passage of this just measure should be the
object OF every Association of Union In
Prisoners of War as we'll as every indi-
vidual comrade. With combined effort
this can be DONE If all, individually and
collectively, will earnestly urge members
of congress to favorably consider the
measure, and In all reasonable ways solicit
public opinion in its behalf.
The following reasons may be urged,
,tsl~ "a hon Salx
why our claim Is u just one:
First, We were prevented from re-enlst-
ing and securing large bounties, granted
to others, being held in service
Second. we were deprived OF all Oppor-
tunity of securing promotion, while the
danger risk was greatly increased. as
shown by the mortality in rebel prisons.
Third. most Of the prisoners when
brought into the Union lines were dis
charged or mustered out Of the service,
while yet broken in health. causing then,
to expend large sums in payment for
medical treatment. and loss of time Incl
dent to such debility.
These, with many other facts, cOnsti-
tute a claim. which. If fairly presented
before the people, will find ready en-
dorsement. and congress will gladly confer
long-delayed benefaction.
Comrades Urged TO Act.
Let the comrades make known to their
representatives In congress what they eX.
pect. Letters from individuals, and petit
tions and resolutions from local organiZa-
tions should be sent at once. Don't send
these to congress. but to the individual
members and senators asking them 10
support such a measure Send the ma
tional secretary copy of all resolutions
adopted by local associations.
No time should be lost In completing the
organization of ex-prisoners into local as-
.soc.a tions wherever there are enough
comrades In town or county to form one,
and when that Is not practicable every ex-
prisoner should cause his name to be en-
rolled on the books of the National asso-
citation as an individual member This Is
nece ssary to enablethe association to conf
municate with ades quickly when any
thing Of Importance arises touching their
interests. All Inquiries In regard to organ
izing local associations. individual mem-
berships, badges. buttons, dues. etc, will
be promptly answered by Comrade Steph-
EN- NJ. Long. secretary and treasurer, East
Orange, N. j.
Statistical errors appearing in the man.
uscript "A reply to Jefferson Davis ar
ticle on the Treatment Of Prisoners OF
War" our Historian. Louis X. Fortescue
has kindly undertaken the revision of the
same and that is an assurance that the
work will be faithfully performed and the
book prepared for the public. perfected in
every detail.
Conclusion Of tho Appeal.
A final word of appeal Do not neglect
the bill before congress. Work diligently
for its passage. Earnestly second the ef-
forts Of Hon. f. J. Hainer. who Is both
earnest and hopeful of success. but your
efforts, individually and collectively, must
be added to his. Your president Is in COM
munication with him, and is being guided
to a very great extent, as is the executive
committee. by the advice Of Mr.. Hainer,
who is excellently informed as to the sit
uation. At the proper time the executive
committee will be convened In Washing
ton. d. G. Meantime, comrades. do your
full 6lty as associations and as individu-
ais; work INCREASINGLY and success will
crown earnest eandeavor. Deserve sue