The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-06-10
rs THEY VIEW IT.
Veterans Opinions On the Pen
sion Question.

Below are given some of the views ex-
pressed and the action taken by Posts:
Reno Post, o. Roseburg. Ore, has adopted
resolutions rescnting the ithholding Of PEN
sions, or part Of them, from occupants by the
Oregon Soldiers Home.
The following declare themselves in favor of
. Service Pension: w. F. Miller, Usk. Wash;
Philip Clark. Co. !, 9lst Pa, Meneh. Pa; B. F.
Bump. 4th Mich. Cav, Rose, Mich; Irwin Rich,
9TH Pa. Reserves, Easton, Pa; James Wales.
Waterville, Kan; Joseph E. Layton. Co. II. lss
N. J. Cav, Branchviile, ". j.; RomaiDo Sheire,
20. +, lst Mich. Engineers, st. Paul, Mimi.
These comrades favor the Per Diem Bill:
w. s. Chafsee. Crystal Falls, Mich; w. h. Rowe.
Springfield, MIMI; w. II. Ravens. Co. j, 9Th
ILL.,; g. B. Gerard, Co. F, 14th Wis. Bradford,
Ill.
d. L. Braucher, Lincoln, ILL.,, says: 81 have
always been stickIer for the back pay claim
OF every Union soldier. long or short term man,
provided no did his duty faithfully. My claim
Is that all the soldiers were paid in deprecated
paper, worth on an average but so per cent, or
less, OF its face. In March, 1859, Congress de-
clared by resolution that The honor of the
Government required it to pay all of its OBJ
legations in coin or its equivalent and on the
strength Of that refunded all of our currency
notes and currency bonds into coin bonds;
then in 1873 demonerized silver so Is to mako
all of them payable in god and has been tax
ing every soldier as well ~ others to pay that
gold. Under these conditions there would be
duo each soldier, az . debt which was never
paid, the same sum he received while in the
service, with interest compounded at current
rates on bonds to the present time. Since the
Government pays no interest on claims in open
account, suggest that each soldier should re-
ceive in a bulk sum the exact amount paid him
Ger boil unf maid ut n
time. and in lieu Of any interest. give Service
Pension Of 81 per month from close of war till
after the ago of so years is reached, and then
$l2 till go, and SIS thereafter"
Robert Bruce, Pendleton, Ore, says that
President Mckinley loves the rank and 6le of
that grand army OF which he was a member,
and he will not put any stumbling block in the
way OF justice to the veterans. He thinks the
comrades ought to leave the matter of pension
legislation to their Representatives and the De-
partment Commanders Of the GAR. He calls
upon all comrades to sustain The NATIONAL
TRIBUNE in its advocacy of soldiers rights.
P. B. Mcneil, 18th N. Y, Bellvale, N. Y,
tells of some arduous and continuous service
while Assistant to the Surgeon of his regi-
ment. He was wounded at Drewrys Bluff, and
on one occasion stood with Surg. milford for
" hours at the operating table. He did splen-
did work throughout his service. He was PEN
stoned ct So month, but failed to receive any
except very small portion of the bounty
bounty should be paid. He was twice prom
ised Captains commission, but failed to get it,
on account of consolidation or transfer. He is
trying to have Congress rate him as Assistant
Surgeon or Captain.
F. NJ Eddy, Co. D, 12Oth III. address not
given), believes in Service Pension of So for
all who served over one day and less than one
year; $12 for over one year and less than two,
SIG for over two years and less than three; $50
for over three years and less than four, and
$24 for service over four years. The exceptions
should be only those who are now receiving
more pension in the different classes for
wounds or total disability. Widows of the
above classes should receive an average rate of
the same-$16-pension to be granted from first
quarter after death of husband, and to be for
feited if recipient take up any one of certain
improper ways of living remarries. Com
rade Eddy gives various other provisions that
he would like TO complete this bill.
Geo. J. McGinsis, Battery B. LIST Pa. Art,
Bluegrass, ILL.,, writes: II served my country
three years, receiving $13 per month. Ex-
posture in the field resulted in rheumatism and
broken health. / receive S. per month PEN
sion. We served our country faithfully, be.
cause we loved the old flag. but the Govern
ment should do US justice by recognizing our
claims. favor the Per Diem Pension Bill"
Robert Turner, Lamont, Iowa, writes: 81
enlisted in August, 1862, and took part in all
the battles of the old 25th Iowa. / favor the
Per Diem Pension Bill"
A. w. Hendy, Fort Greene, Fla. writes: IA
poor old pensoner is expected to live on IS per
month, while Congressman requires nearly
SIS day. At the same time, am thankful
for what 1 receive"