The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-12-31


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Please
allow me to express my opinion in your
valuable paper in regard to the law concern
ing pensions, which / consider unjust in
many cases.
Not because / feel jealous or think one
comrade is receiving one dollar too much,
but because the law makes an unjust rating
according to disability and wounds received
while In the line of duty in the war Of the
rebellion. know from my personal knowl-
edge, and not from hearsay.
For example, one comrade has lost an
arm and has enjoyed perfect health ever
since bis recovery from the amputation of
the same. and able TO do manual labor in
MANY ways every day in the week, and has
a regular appetite, his stomach strong and
healthy, never has paid cent for medicine
or DOCTORS service, and is living In comfort
and ease.
Again, another comrade is partially deaf,
and draws a liberal personal---very. or
twenty-five dollars per month. He is able
to swing a scythe or cradle, chop cord wood,
pitch hay, stand behind thrasher all day,
work at his trade IL hours every day in the
week, eats three meals per day, pays no
doctors bills sleeps soundly at night, and
when he gets up in tie morning is refreshed,
and sits down to the breakfast table and
smacks his lips for more as the masticated
food slips down his throat, and his healthy
stomach receives the same with relish.
On the contrary, am an eyewitness of
many that have been afflicted with rbeuma-
tism caused from exposure while in the war
of '61-65, and are obliged to use one or two
crutches; hands, feet and limbs drawn out
of shape from the intense suffering and
pain, heart trouble stomach and bowels in
bad condition, poor appetite, and must eat
only such as prescribed by his physician,
sleepless nights. suffering untold agony,
paying out all the money except for a
scanty living for medicine, his wife taking
in washing, cleaning houses and wondering
how soon it viii be before her husband
will answer the last roll-call, and receiving
from four to eight dollars per month.
Again, another is broken down from ex-
posure, hard marches, and his constitution
completely shattered, trembles as he walks,
unable to perform manual labor, and perhaps
none at all; has family to support, restless
nights and wondering how they are going to
live on the immense sum Of four 10 eight
dollars per month, living In fear and trem-
bling, knowing not what the future will
bring forth.
have not seen well day for years. OF
since my service to Uncle SAM and will
say that have paid out not less than 81 COO
for doctors bills and medicine
Not day passes that am free from aches
and pains; appetite poor most of the time;
suffering with sciatica or muscular rheuma
tism; constipation, stomach trouble, liver
and heart trouble; and had thought many
times that Lay time had come and would
soon meet comrades IN another world, where
there will be no more battles fought ~
was receiving too large PENSION SO the
Commissioner Of Pensions said / was enti
tied 10 SIS per month, but not to S12
IL seems unjust to me, as ] said in the be
ginning, that helpless comrade should
receive a mere pittance, who has suffered fo
years, and there is no comfort or happiness
in store for him! Hoping the coming Ad
ministration will take some action in thi
direction, remain, yours, in F., C. & L.
EDWARD S. CURTIS, Co. ID, 18th ILL.,, Crane
Island, Neb.