The times., 1899-01-11


Palmer has lost the sight Of his right eye.
He can read with his left one. but his
family and friends fear that this may aisu
| be affected. This sudden accession to
the inirmities Of old age has given new
impulse to a movement started some time
ago to get for General Palmer a pension
such as is enjoyed by several old and dis
tinguished soldiers, Of whom Gen. John 4.
McClelland. Of This city, is oneG General
Palmer's visual affection is a cataract.
The news of former Senator palmers
iniirmity came as a shock to his friends
in this city, who know that the veteran
was intirm and poor but did not imagine
that things were as bad with him as it
seems they have turned out to be.
When he left the Senate two years ago
he was seventy-nine years of age and at
the time observed pathetically that he
was going home to build up his law prac
tce again. He had some success at this
at first but was beguiled into taking the
nomination for President by the gold wing
of the Democratic party by persons who
wished to use him for their own ends,
and lost all that he had gained. Since
then he has been very poor, and now that
he has lost his sight will probably be
still poorer.
The first story from Springfield said that
Senator Cullom and Representative Con-
molly, both of Illinois, had charge OF the
duty, in their respective houses, of secur
ing for him a pension, but this seems
to have been a mistake, as Representative
Connolly denies all knowledge of the mat
ter. Senator Cullom was sick in bed aid
could not be seen last night.
General Palmer is apparently not en-
titled to a pension on the score of WOUNDS
or disease incurred in the army, as he has
repeatedly stated that he came out of the
war as sound as a dollar. But he can,
Of course, be pensioned If Congress sees
fit to do so. and he undoubtedly will be
if he chooses to ask for 1t.
General Palmer was born in Scott Coun-
ty. KY, and moved with his parents to
Madison, ILL.,, at an early age. He was
educated at the public schools and at
Alton College. In 1888 he taught school
and studied law. The next year he was
admitted to the bar and four years later
was elected probate judge OF Macoupin
County. He held this and similar Offices
till 1852, when he was chosen TO the State
senate. In 1856 he was a delegate to the
Republican convention that nominal ed
John C. Fremont for President. In May
1861. he became colonel of the Fourteenth
Illinois Regiment, and was shortly pro-
NOTED to brigadler general Two years
later he became major general. He re-
war, serving in Tennessee Georgia. and
Kentucky. Then he returned TO Illinois
and was chosen governor In 1868 as Re
publican. After his term expired he was
twice nominated for senator, and once
for governor as Democrat but was each
time defeated. In 1883 he was nominated
for senator as a Democrat and carried the
State by a large majority. but the Popu-
lists held the balance of power in the
infr rfc1n and Tod Incl Fnp I :
ballots. On the 15ith they voted for him
and he was elected. Curiously enough, it
was due to the Populists that General
Palmer was elected United States Seua-
tor. II will be remembered that there
were 101 Democrats in the Illinois legis-
lature and three opulists-Taubeneck
Moore and Cockrell. The votes of two of
these Populists were necessary to secure
an election. In the crisis the Democratic
leaders in Congress appealed 10 the Popu-
list leaders and they responded nObly,
sending kilograms to swing Moore and
Cockrell into line and Palmer was elected.
In view of the subsequent career of Sem
ator Palmer. reaching its climax when he
was nominated for the Presidency by the
gold Democrats, this bit of history is in
teresting. o..
| There are good many interesting stories
told about Palmer's career in the Senate.
| He used to occupy the floor for hours de-
batting various propositions and the oppo-
sition used to bother him good deal by
provoking questions. Once during Cleve-
| lands term the talk had turned especially
| on New York pensions, private pen
sion bill from that State was pending. Pal
mer was in deadly grapple with it when
the Republicans began TO quiz the aged
| statesman.
Peculiarly am ! opposed to New York
! pensions" said Palmer at one crisis. eXas-
/ perated at the constant musketry of small
( questions which were being popped at him
| by the Republicans. Il had a good deal
| 10 do during the war" he went on, mus
tering in New York troops. New Workers
weren't patriotic enough, weren't courage
Gus enough to come themselves where there
| was any powder burning, as long as they
| could rake and scrape enough money to-
| gether to hire a substitute. And yet these
are the people who want PENSIONS
! At this point Senator Stewart inter-
rupted to ask Palmer If he meant Presi-
! dent Cleveland by his TRADE. He, too,
was of New York" said Stewart, Z" and he.
! too, hired a substitute
General Palmer was much stricken in
conscience at this. He had never oacc
thought of the incumbent of the White
! House, and made some laundering retort
! TO Stewart and sat down, quite ashy, to
| think what he had done.