The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-10-09
Pensions of Old Soldiers at Homes
Are Not Taken for Their Keeping.

Pensions of Old Soldiers at Homes
Are Not Taken for Their Keeping.
To The st. Paul Globe:
The decision in a United States district
court before Judge Hndman at Marshalltown
in November, 1895, was against the board Of
trustees of the Iowa soldiers home denying
the right Of said board to take any pensions
from members Of the Iowa soldiers home,
said board having made a rule to take from
inmates pensions in excess of $6 per month.
This decision was widely circulated by the
press Of Minnesota and the inmates Of the
Minnesota soldiers home were ENCOURAGED
to believe that the raid upon their pensions
would cease. Reporters visits were made
to the managers Of said home for their views
in regard to same, and such interviews were
reported in the press. The managers Of
the Iowa soldiers home appealed to the Iowa
supreme court and the case was tried at
Des Moines, To-. the decision being favorable
to said board Of trustees.
Here can be seen one Of the biggest farces
played in the history Of a state, by as
sorting her supremacy and ignoring entirely
a United States law, that was made for the
protection Of pensioners from the sharks,
and the United States authorities Iistless
ana powerless to protect the rights of the
men who gave years Of their lives in de-
tense Of the Union, that no state was sove-
old age, suffering from wounds and disease
contracted in the service Of their country,
the melancholy spectacle is presented TO
these old warriors when seeking an asylum
that the generosity of the government gives
them, in addition to their little pensions. a
band OF the worst Republican scoundrels up-
on the face Of the earth are conspiring and
plotting plans whereby the old veteran can
be robbed Of his little pension and in the
enactment OF state laws to help them in their
nefarious work Of robbery. To the honor
OF the men in the Iowa state legislature the
republicans did not accomplish what was
done in the Minnesota state legislature to
place upon their statute books laws in con-
prevention Of a United States law to rob
the inmates in her state soldiers home 1t
Is dark blot upon the beautiful escutcheon
or Minnesota that for a residence in her
state soldiers home the inmates Of such
should be compelled to contribute of their pen
sions for their support, when it has already
been paid for by the United States govern
ment; thus being charged twice for such
board and gives the Tie to the phiIon-
thropy of the state. which Mr.. Castle, presi-
dent OF the Minnesota soldiers home says
soldiers IN erecting such magnificent build
ings, and assuming the support of the IN
mates. 1t is hypocrisy Of the basest kind
at the memorial service held in honor OF
the dead. and all the flowers placed upon
the graves Of the pensioners coming from
the Minnesota soldiers home. Al the
"apotheosis" said over their graves will not
wipe that ineffaceable stain that, before be-
Ing laid to rest, when living they had gone
through robbing process. Iowa has been
the only state where the United States courts
have taken cognizance that her laws were be-
ing disobeyed, and this is the result.
Milwaukee Wis, Oct.