The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1896-01-04
That is the Important Question at
Issue Regarding the Pension
Matter Of John 0'COnn0r.
Many Protests Have Been Sent to
Washingt0n-The Case is Now
Being Thoroughly Sifted.
III the Records Show Everything To he
Correct, all is Well: if Not the
Protests Will Prevail.
A MATTER OF JUsTICE-Nor ABUSE.

About three weeks ago the people of
this county were greatly surprised TO
learn that Hon. James Mcmillan, of
Detroit, United States Senator. had
introduced a bill in congress to In
crease the pension of John O'Connor,
OF LAnse. A few citizens were
aware of the fact that John O'Connor
is now drawing a pension of Sl2.0
per month. but were not familiar with
the claim set forth to obtain the same.
The matter was carefully discussed,
notes were compared. and it was
deemed advisable TO enlighten Senator
Mcmillan by placing before him few
facts, and, plainly speaking. 'the lay
of the land y This was promptly done.
not with any feeling of i'll will toward
Mr.. O'Connor. but as ma tier of justice.
each man signing the protest, believing
that the government officials at Wash
ing.on should know the color Of the
fence on the opposite side. thereby
II the records at Washington show that
John Conpors enlisted in the United
States navy at Boston. Mass. November
18th. 1861. and served as a coal HEAVIER
for three years, received an honorable
discharge. and that rheumatism was
contracted as result OF his being
in the war, then there is rot one man
In Baraga county who will say aught
against any amount OF pension the
government may feel disposed to grant.
But on the other hand. do the records
at Washington show that John OCopnor
enlisted at that time, place etc, aud
I served as coal beaver, being one aud the
same man? 1t is simply a matter for
the records to show and that the appli-
! cant IS needy and rightfully deserving
! Of the claim, 1t is seldom the case thar
man living at ease, surrounded by
| worldly comforts and Injuries is granted
| pension. BE his claim ever so just.
| There is many a poor old soldier who
served faithfully in the civil war, with
a record as spotless as snow, who has
been unable 70 procure one dollar OF
pension money. Therefore it is high
| time that each and every claim is
| justly Investigated, and not rail
roaded through upon the long winded
! plea Of some pension attorney shark"
who makes u speciality In that line, and
! is well paid for his services. The
writer maintains that every man who
| faithfully served In the war should
| be entitled to a pension. but II is an
uadisputed fact that hundreds of the
old soldiers have been unable to secure
one penny, while there are men draw
| ing good fee each month who doubt
less are not deservingiof it at all.
In this case protests were sent for
the purpose OF having the matter
brought squarely To light, and II the
claim is correct and just. the protests
( will he as cheerfuly withdrawn as they
were sent. Until such is shown be-
yond any doubt, the protests will stand
and be recognized.
In communication to small, So
called newspaper, published at Baraga,
there appeared last week a scurrilsus
attack upon the editor and publisher
OF The SENTINEL. presumably written.
or caused to have been written. by Mr..
O'ConnOr. IL was entirely uncalled foI :,
and reflects no credit upon the author
or the paper which published it. We
do not propose to go into personal
abuse in this matter, neither will the
pension case be determined through
any newspaper. The protests have been
duly received at Washington, and with
out doubt justice will prevail.