The National tribune., 1899-03-16
rs THEY VIEW IT.
Veterans Opinions of the Pension

0ueJSIol.
Comrade W Wilkins, Co. II. 4s,h IA.
kanesholm, Pa, writes OF a case of unjust
treatment of veteran by the Pension
Bureau. The veteran in question has not
been able to do days work for over 10
years. He was in the navy during the war,
ana fell from mast to the deck of the ves-
sci, sustaining injuries on which he bases his
claim for pension. All this was proven by
the testimony of an officer who helped carry
nm below. The Pension Bureau, however,
requires other evidence which it is impossi-
blete furnish. Comrade Wilkins thinks Con-
gress should investigate
W. f. Merrivale, York, Neb, writes: In
recent issue Comrade Duncan suggested
John A. Pickler for Commissioner of PEN
slons to succeed Evans. If he means the
author of the Picker Bill, II say the
quicker the change is made the better it will
De ioP the interests of veterans"
W. ). Wittum, Co. d, 10th Wis, Tacoma,
WASH, writes: Let us try to get q service
pension bill through Congress. We must do
something very soon, rs the soliiers Of the
Spanish-American war will before long he
drawing the attention of Congress and the
Pension Bureau" "
Harvey Payne, Hot Springs, s. D., writes:
Has Commissioner Evans increased the
penslon-roll one dollar? Has he not allowed
Just about the same number OF pensions
each day as pensioners have died"
~. M. Dickerson, Co. /, 1O3d n. Y, Rich
iand, ). d., writes: The Chicago Tribune
advocates the reduction of the pension-rolI
one-half, because a portion of the pensioners
nave property Now, what has that to do
with the matter of pensions? In our vast
army were men from all conditions of life.
At the end Of the war each went bs elk to dis
own calling. Some spent money indulging
had habits, while others were industrious,
anu quite number took Greeley's advice
anu went West securing 16O acres of land
from Uncle Sam. These latter are now COM
iortabiy well-to-do; i'll fact as pension
hater says, one fourth of them could get
along without pension. If pensions were
based Oh poverty, would it not simply be
paying bounty on shiftlessness and bad
habits in most cases? If this were what
pensions were given for there would be no
need OF pensions, as the paupers could 90 to
the po0r-house, where they would have the
advantage OF an overseer to keep them straight.
Let us take two men; both enlisted and both
were disabled IN the same degree One was
a spendthrIft, OF bad habits; the other was
saving and industrious; has home of his
own ana perhaps something put away for
rainy day Now, the Chicago Tribune would
say pension The man of bad habits, but his
comrade who gave the same Service, but who
mas saved something, is not entitled
Michael Quinn, Co. T., Both Iowa. Glagler,
Colo, writes: After nine years of hard
WORK Tor pension | have been knocked out
by the Pension Bureau. | had furnished
everything that | could in the way OF evil
dehce, but to no avail. The Bureau Claims
that the disease was not contracted in line of
duty. My record: Jackson, May IA, 1865;
jackson, July ii, 1868; Vicksburg, Middle
ton, Fort DE Russy, Henderson Hill, Campti,
Pleasant Hill, Mansura, Yellow Bayou Old
RIVER Lake, Brlce Crossroads, Tupelo, Talla-
hatchie River, Nashville and Spanish Fort"
ii. +. lngersoil, North Evans, N ",
writes think a law should be passed that
every Old soldier who is past 81. and is draw
ing pension Of less than Sl2 per month
Tor injuries received i'll the service. should
have his pension increased to that amount"
i. Is. NaTian, Glen Castle, n. Y, says: "a
service pension is what we ought TO have,
md every veteran should he pensioned accord
ng 10 the service rendered. | think the
PENSIONS should be egualzed. Let the Gov
give large pensions to those who are
iIsabied and take care OF them as long as
hey live"
ID. w. Richardson, DeGraff, O., writes |
: Our records as soldiers seem to cut no |
lgure III the matter OF adjusting our claims |
y hat we want is to have Justice meted out |
o u.s.
Hazard Smith, 7th Pa Cav, Santa
ionica, Cal, says that there is no use
rying to screen the President behind tie |
Commissioner Of Pensions He knows all |
bout the policy of the Pension Bureau, and
aust be held responsible for it.