The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1900-02-15
Mrs. Lawton and Some Others.

Mrs. Lawton and Some Others.
The American people have given
nearly $4,000 to Mrs. Henry w. Law
ton as a token. of their appreciation of
her husbands great services to his
country, and in SO doing have done
we'll. But there are some other wild
ows and children who deserve to be
remembered.
For instance, there is the widow of
Colonel Egbert, who made a gallant
record in the civil war, was danger
ous1y wounded of Santiago, and was
killed at the head of his regiment in
Luzon. Mrs. Egbert is entirely with
out means, and is supporting herself
and FIVE children by keeping board
ing-house in Manila. Captain Gridley
whom Dewey told to fire when ready"
on that glorious May day in Manila
bay, left his wife and mother depend
ent on the generosity of his country
men. Commander Wood, who com
left a family without support.
Colonel John D. Mi1ey, who was
Skaters chief-of-staf at Santiago,
and worked himself to death straight
ening out the chaos of Spanish cor
ruption in the Manila custom-house,
left widow and three children nearly
destitute. Colonel Stotsenburg, who
made the First Nebraska one of the
most efficient regiments that ever
marched under our flag, and fell at its
head, left large family in poverty.
The two Caprons, one of whom fell at
Santiago and the other died of disease
incurred in that campaign, left widows
who is himself a poor man. The wild
ow of Colonel Guy Howard, killed in
Luzon, has three children and is penni-
less. And several other cases of wild
ows and children of officers of lower
rank, but no less devoted to their duty,
might be mentioned.
preston, there is no general law for
the pensionsing of widows and minor
children of officers of the regular
army. All such pensions are by spec
ia1 act of Congress, which rarely
grants more than $50 month 1t is
evident that such a sum will not go far
toward the support and education of
children. The private soldiers term of
enlistment is short, and if he makes a
profession of the military service he is
at least sure of a comfortable home in
his old age. But the officer, to be of
value to his country, must stay in the
service, and then death cuts off the
means of supporting his family.
The United States, by the manner Of
selecting cadets for it's military and
naval academies, opens career for
talented boys of poor families such as
no other country affords them. 1t pays
it's officers, at least in the lower ranks,
better than any other country, be-
cause it does not expect them to have
private fortunes. But the military
and naval services are increasingly
scientific professions, demanding the
whole time and attention of their fol-
lowers. They repress the commercial
instinct, and few, aoficers. even with
the strongest wish to save their pay
and provide for their families, have
opportunity or ability to make such
investments as will assure future in
come. Making such demands upon it's
officers, the United States yet refuses
to make provision for those near and
dear to them.
The United States has been justly
generous to the soldiers of the civil
war, and should extend its generosity
at least to the families of regular SOL
diers whose heads lost their lives in
actual service; Such pensions should,
of course, depend upon need, and there
would be no resentment at law which
would give, without special action of
Congress. proper means of support to
the widows of Mi1ey, Grid1ey and Egg
bert, to mention only typical cases.