The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-11-16

made any objections or criticisms I'M
less they were justified in so doing, and
do not think they ever will"
The soldiers who fought for Uncle
Sam in Cuba are now truly orphans,
and no matter how sick they may be
during the coming winter there is no
fund to pay the expenses of their ill
ness. The Volunteer Aid Association
has taken down its sign, removed its
goods and chattels, closed it's doors and
thrown away the keys 'Tis true that
the association has fund on hand,
which Treasurer Halleck Bartlett says
will be placed with some reliable local
charitable society to be used exclusive
iy for Cuban campaigners, but this fund
is small one and will soon be exhaust
ed. The soldiers, many of them, are
truly in pitable condition. Friday
Major Gates of the Second regiment eX-
amined the men of G company, Ninth
regiment, at the armory. and after that
examination he said that in both the
Second and Ninth regiments there We're
hardly dozen men who would be abs
to do any hard work during the winter
months. Nearly all of the men who went
to Cuba were hardworking men. How
they will live during the winter Mr.
Bartlett says he does not know, and he
feels sorry for them as he is aware of
their true condition. The men will re-
ceive their pay in few days, but near
ly all of that will be paid over to their
captains of whom they have borrowed
while waiting for Paymaster Sherman
to make his appearance in Worcester.
When what is left is gone the soldiers
If they are taken sick or are unable to
work, and are not fortunate enough TO
have relatives who are willing or able
10 care for them will be Obliged to ask
the town authorities to feed and clothe
them. If the volunteer soldiers go to a
hospital the state will be obliged to pay
the bills. The government has washed
its hands of its valiant boys evidently,
and will forget them until it is called
upon for pensions.
Worcester citizens probably did more
for her boys who went to the war than
any other city in Massachusetts, has
done, and they cannot be expected to
subscribe to any fund unless it should
be very needy case.
The government certainly did not
make life in Cuba a bed of roses for any
OF her soldiers, and now it seems really
too bad that these heroes are in such a
pitable condition. Nearly every physi-
Gran who has attended any of the men
VINO went through the Cuban campaign
says that when the real cold weather
comes, two-thirds Of the men will feel
the malaria much more than they have
ielt 1t during the pleasant weather they
have had since they returned to their
homes.
Even free medical attendance is de-
MED the boys since they were mustered
out, and If they really need the services
OF doctor and have not got the money
to pay for his visits, they will be
oollged to call the city physician, and
De registered on the book of the town
poor department as paupers.
spy representative during the week
that the treatment by the war depart
ment OF the volunteers during and after
the war was, in his estimation. almost
brutal, and that now the government
seems to be rubbing it into the poor fell
lows who risked everything, even life.
ana for several long months endured
many hardships and privations for very
small pay, but did not falter and did
what they were told to do. The matter
VIII become a serious question, il is
reared, before Christmas day.
worcester military men said yester-
Gay that in their opinion Col. Clark had
ueelued TO remain in the militia. They
are satisfied of that fact.
Ad1utant General Dalton issued or
ders TO Col. Clark Thursday to assume
command of the Second regiment. The
law gives the officers of the volunteer
militia 80 days after they are mustered
out to signify their intentions in regard
to remaining IN the states service.
The Second regiment was mustered
out of service a week ago Wednesday,
and yesterday came the orders to Col.
Clark TO again take the helm, and the
Worcester military men believe that
the colonel must have notified Gen. Dali
ton that he was willing to stay in com
mand Of the regiment in the days of
peace.
Military men in all parts of the state
have never believed that the colonel
would resign They have laughed at
the rumor ever since it was first spo-
ken of, and the orders of Thursday con
vince them that they had the right
ideas regarding the matter
Now that the regimental headauar-
tiers viii remain in Springfield. which
has been called. since muster-out day. |
by all companies outside of that town. |
The city Of the dead" the Springfield
papers and the people. soldiers say, |