Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1898-10-27
Love for the Old Soldier
Exists Only in Republican Platforms
and on the Stump.
VOL. 20.

Bills.
So persistent have been republican
professions of devotion to the welfare
of ex-Union soldiers, SO profuse their
platform promises, so emphatic their
assertions that officials Of other par
ties could not be entrusted with these
sacred interests Of the nations de-
tenders, that the great mass of veter-
ans. looked forward to the election OF
"Comrade Mckinley" as the beginning
of most liberal pension period. The
Republican national platform Of 1896
says:
1.-THE veterans of the Union army de-
serve and should receive fair treat
ment and generous recognition. When
ever practicable they should be given
the preference in the matter Of en-
ployment, and they are entitled to the
enactment of such laws as are best call
eulated to secure the fulfillment OF the
pledges made to them in the dark days
of the country's peril"
The state platform adopted at
Hutchinson the 9Th of last June says:
1--WE favor the most liberal con-
struction of all pension laws, in the
spirit Of their enactment, without tech
nical distractions or requirements.
We urge that preference be given to
honorably discharged soldiers and sail
Ors in all appointments Of the state
and nation. as provided by law"
But all these promises and pledges
have been rudely broken. "Comrade
Mckinley" is the first president since
the war who failed to give the old
soldier generous recognition" In his
first annual message
From two to five old soldiers,
worthy and capable, were candidates
for each position on the state ticket
before the late Republican convention,
all were turned down except one who
was given the least desirable position.
Within the patronizing territory of
every postoffice in Kansas are old
soldiers with first class fitness to
serve as postmaster, but Republican
congressman and ex-congressmen and
congressional candidates working
through a Republican senator upon a
Republican president and postmaster
general, have turned down almost all
such candidates and preference was
given" to dapper young politicians in
open violation Of law and platform
pledges, These political heelers must
be rewarded or placated or both. and
must have the offices. The old soldiers
are supposed to be loyal Republicans
who care for nothing but platform
promises
COMMISSIONER EVANS.
Every old soldier knows that the
present is the most niggardly and
cruel administration Of the pension
bureau since the war. From every Sec
Won Of the United States have gone
protests against Mr. Evans Infamous
methods and demands for his removal
The state encampment Of the
Grand Army Of the Republic held al
Wichita, Kans., April 20 to % Of the
current year adopted the following
resolutions:
"The administration of the pension
bureau has been dilatory for years, dis.
appointing and unfriendly to the thou
sands whose claims have been re-
teeted or neglected. Rules Of evidence
have been enforced with narrow con-
structions; calls for evidence have
been based upon slight and formal de-
feets in evidence already supplied; the
rating Of boards Of medical examiners
have been arbitrarily rejected, over.
ridden by the medical examiner OF thu
department. rules of practice have
not been made known to the soldier
or widow claimants, and they have
been held to knowledge OF the prac
tice which they could not be presumed
10 have, and the bureau has failed t
administer the law In the spirit o.
gracious Candor which belongs to oul
national pension laws; the head OF thu
bureau has been indiscreet and appar
emily unsympathetic,a and his utteranceI
have wounded the sensibilities Of thu
soldiers"
The American Tribune, Crane
Army paper published at Indianapolis
in its issue of February II, 1893
printed the following resolution
adopted by Shiloh Post, No. 40, O
Newport, Ind:
Whereas the ex-Union soldiers {
this country reioiced when the act wa
known that William Lochren had bee
removed as Commissioner Of Pension
and H. Clay Evans substituted In hi
stead, and believed they had a true
patriotic friend who would deal fairl
and honestly with them, now find OF
to their sorrow that they have beer
sadly disappointed. and instead
dealing fairly and squarely with thos
who are at his mercy, he is putin
every obstacle in the way he possibl
can to prevent the adjudicating Of oil
pension claims and pension increase
Of soldiers who are deserving, in man
eases, of more than twice or thre
times the rate now paid them. W
have become very tired of seeing tn
old pensioners of the late war traduce
and denounced as frauds by a fe'
yellow-back journals of the East, an
have become disguised in knowing on
present Commissioner OF Pensions
trucking to the clamor of these de-
testable and vicious papers: There
fore,
Resolved, That Shiloh Post, No. 4S
Grand Army OF the Republic, of New
port, Vermilion county, Ind. earnestl,
requests President Mckinley to i'm
mediately remove the Hon. H. ella.
Evans from the office he has proven
himself unworthy to fill.
Resolved That We are tired OF hi