The sun., 1898-01-14
SOLDIERS and The PENSIONS
The Union Veteran Legion and
&. A. r. at Variance.
FORMER FAVORS PER DIEM BILL
What General John Il. DOnahOe and
Captain Peter B. Ayers Have to
Say on the Subject OF Pension
Legislation.

The recent agitation throughout the
country anent the publication OF the
pension lists has stirred up somewhat
the old soldiers in this locality, and
while many of the officials of Grand
Army OF the Republic and Union Vet
eran Legion circles are somewhat wary
in giving expression to their views,
enough has been learned to prove that
there is a wide difference OF opinion be-
tween the two organizations in regard to
pension legislation generally, and cspec-
tally with regard to the measures now
before Congress.
General John p. Domhoe, Ex-Nation.
al Commander Of the Union Veteran
Legion is an enthusiastic supporter and
advocate Of the bill known as the per
diem service measure, by which it is
proposed to allow each man who served
in the army, pension of one cent per
month for every day OF service in the
army.
Tie bill has the undivided indorse-
mcnt of the Union Veteran Legion, and
is in the custody Of Senator Gray When
it reaches the House Congressman Lentz
Of Columbus, Ohio, will be its champion.
Ex-senator Donahoe maintains that
the per diem system is the only fair and
just method of distributing pension
funds, and that its adoption would do
away with many Of the objectionable
features OF the present system. 1t would,
he says reduce the expenses of the pen
sion bureau over forty per cent, by re-
lieving the government OF the necessity
of employing the vast army OF cXamin-
e's, clerks and agents, besides compelling
the ''penSon ring to discontinue busi-
ness. This horde of men, who have been
virtually living off the old soldier have Il
combination which is stronger and more
influential in many respects than eithar
the Whiskey Ring or the Sugar Trust.
They have on more than one occasion sue
ccssfully defeated proposed pension bills
that had the support OF the soldiers, for
the reason that their revenues would
thereby be curailed if not altogether
abolished.
AS to the per diem bill General bona
hoe charged that the Grand Army Of the
Republic had always opposed it. At
various National Encampments, he said,
the subject had been broached, but in
each instance the influence OF those in
authority was concentrated in opposition
to the contemplated change, one of its
most consistent enemies being General
Join Z. $. Goblin of Pennsylvania, now
national commander Of the q. \. r.,
who recently denounced the bill in an
address delivered in Philadelphia.
In regard to tie position OF the Union
Veteran Legion, General Donahoc said:
"Nur organization believes that the PEN
sion list should be Il roll OF honor and
that the bounty jumper and the deseuer
should have no place thereon. OF the
100000 veterans of the war, more than
200, 600 have never asked for and do not
now receive any pension. These men
enlisted without the ind'lcelnent Of Il
bounty, and all they ask is recognition
for their services.
Captain Peter b, Ayers, who willie
4 veteran with long and honorable ser
vice is also Il firm supporter Of the posi-
ton assumed by the Grand Army Of the
Republic, took exception to the remarks
made by General Doj!ahue and expressed
himself in very emphatic terms.
THE Gland Army OF the Republic
disclaims," he said. 'alI responsibility
forthe Dependent Pension act of June u,
1870, by which the flood gates were
opened AMI the pension lists increased
to such an extent as to call forth opposi-
ton from all sections of the country. |
am not in favor OF the per diem system
for various reasons. In the first place,
sup,,,S,, ~ ,on,, i.t.I i,,r /,
and was wounded few days after enter
ing the service, would it be fair to ask
him to accept Il pension of one cent per
month for each day OF service? think
not, and General Donaloc will have
hard time convincing the people that
there is any fairness whatever in such Il
''As to the Union Veteran Legion, |
an a member OF that organization, as
well rs Of tie q. A. r., but know men
who are enrolled in the ranks of the Vet
Grams " no never fired Il gun. | am in
favor of making the pension list a roll of
honor as much as any man, and no one
would go further than | would to accom-
plish that end. believe that something
should be done towards purging the list
ol lllueSerNlns pensioners, Dut IN tins |
we should go slow, because it would be
better to permit two unworthy men to
remain on the rolls than to strike from
the list the name OF one deserving sol
dier, or soldiers widow. believe that |
the pension list should be published, and
claim that no man who is the recipient
Of the bounty OF the government for scr-
vice rendered during the war should be
ashamed to have the fact made public"