Evening journal., 1897-07-07
FOR THE OLD SOLDIER.
National Commander Dona-
hoes Latest Determination.
WILL MAKE A TEST PENSION CASE

IF NECESSARY IT WILL BE CAR
RIED TO THE UNITED STATES
SUPREME COURT-HE ALSO HAS
TWO IMPORTANT BILLS IN CON
GREss, ONE BEING FOR MEDALS
OF HONOR.
The office of national commander Of
the Union Veteran Legion is an honor
able one, but it is not a sinecure by
any manner of means Just now ex-
Speaker of the Senate John p. Dona-
hce, who holds that position, has his
hands full looking after the interests
of the old soldiers and their widows
and orphans.
To morrow he will go to Washington
to take action against the Pension Blu
reau rulings of Hoke Smith, late sec
retary of the interior. The test case Sc
lected by him is that OF Martha A.
Skaggs, of this city, a poor widow Of
John A. Skaggs, formerly OF Smyrna
While drunk he enlisted, in 1861, in the
First Delaware Infantry, and deserted
what he had done. Fearing arrest ne
skipped to Iowa, where he had rela-
tives. There he enlisted in the Twenty
second Iowa Infantry, and was wound
ed very severely in three different bat
ties. the last wound being received at
Vicksburg He was discharged by rea-
son of these wounds, and later on,
drew a pension which continued TO the
time Of his death, at the Leavenworth
Soldiers Home.
"The widow made application for her
pension" said National Commander
Donahoe this morning, when she
learned of his DEATH but owing to the
technical charge Of desertion pending
against her husband, it was refused
her. This ruling works the gravest
/ injury ID thousands Of widows, while
it continues. But the great injustice,
as propose to demonstrate to the bu-
reau. il. that the technical charge of de-
| sertion against our men who would
lump from one command to another,
| and vet render good and faithful SER
vice. suffering wounds and Ontimes
death. disbars their relatives and heirs
from benefits enjoyed by the relatives
and heirs of men who possibly rendered
their country much less efficient SER
vice. The rebels who fought us for
three years or more and then deserted
from their flag and joined ours for two,
three and four months are better treat
ed Out Of eleven regiments OF com
panios OF rebels so deserting and or
ganized by the government in the clos
ing days OF the war. all of the men bui
four hundred are drawing pensions to-
day. This is not speculation. It IS 2
4 uositive fact and cannot be disputed. y
will inform the public Of something
heretofore generally unknown. Many
who are crying out against the Pension
Bureau and its action, are not generally
aware that their former friends, the
rebels. are getting such solid advan-
tages from it.
"This is the case; and believe and
trust that / will be successful In my
mission, but if not, / shall carry the
case to the Supreme Court OF the
United States.
81 nave in Congress, in the hands ol
Senator Kenney, a bill granting ser
T vice medal of honor to all those sol
/ diers who went into the war and served
throughout its length without bounty
This is the class of men who VIII no.
make application to politicians TO oD'
tam mtudlS VI nollol AbA o1A Viva ~ 80
government. They want the medals tC
, come directly from the secretary o
war when their war records warrant 1t
lThis is a Union Veteran Legion media
3 of honor, for the members OF the legiol
, will be the principal recipients OF II
but anyone who comes under the pro
d visions Of the bill will be entitled to i
without reference to membership in th'
/ t-r~s,, O,t,. object fg IN do aWaV witt
the power of politicians in the mattel
of sucn marks Of distinction, and e
give all soldiers equal chance on tn
1 strength OF their war record rathe
than on the strength Of political pull
thereby making it a medal OF honor II
! fact.
Senator Gray, on June %, Introduces
a service pension, or per diem bill 10
me. and il has good prospects for pass
age. Hon. John J. .Lutz, Of Ohio, VII
> have charge of it in the House