The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-08-19


was foolish. My friends, YOU would
be right. Either proposition is foolish
one, and any man who would go to
congress advocating such theories
would write himself down as an ass
and bring his district into disrepute.
By so doing he might also do meal
culable injury to the cause of the old
soldier, just as tumblebug might
spoil cupfal of good, pure and whole
some water.
Your lawmakers should advocate
sensible measures, which will meet
with the approval Of the conscience
and the judgment of the people. The
man who goes to congress advocating
visionary measures can have no influ-
cnce in that body and will not be able
to accomplish anything for his con-
stituents.
"My friends, the old soldiers. as 1
understand, do not complain of the
law. Generally speaking the law is
liberal and generous. 1t makes ample
provision for the soldier, his widow
and orphan.
Enforce the Law.
"The crying want and ueed Of today
is not for more law, but for an honest.
fair and impartial enforcement Of the
present law. Our pension law Is en-
forced, if at all, through the depart
ment known as the commissioner of
pensions. He sits as Judge and in.
terprets the letter and the spirit Of the
law. His acts may be arbitrary, and
he may wholly ignore the law in its
application to Il petition for Il pension,
and there is no adequate relief from
his autocratic ruling. Therefore it is
just as necessary that your commits
sioner of pensions should be an honest,
pure and upright man as it is for your
judge who enforces the civil and Grim
inal law of the land. The law of the
land makes ample provision for the inn
parchment of judge who is dishonest
and corrupt. The commissioner of
pensions sits as a judge, granting or
refusing pensions as it suits his pleas
ure. He interprets the law according
to his whims or his humor or by in
fiuence, dehors the record. He is a
'one mind poWer'-mighty, omnipotent
and most dangerous. He receives his
appointment from one man, and is re-
SponSible to him and to him alone. He
deals with the masses of the people.
He acts as judge upon the cases of
thousands of people, and yet those peo-
Mo h0Vn nnfhinp RI fn who
shall be their judge, or who shall in
terpret the law which was made in
their behalf and in their interest.
insist that this is un-American and for
eign to the genius Of republican form
OF government. The great iniquity of
the present system is fully exemplified
by your present commissioner of pen
sions. This is not the time or the
place to discuss in detail his work. 1t
is sufficient to knew that thousands of
petitions from Grand Army posts in
this nation have been presented beg
ging for his removal. Your petitions
have only been answered by repeated
injury. You have pleaded, but the
powers have been deaf to the voice
of justice. You have .implored. but no
answer has come for your relief.
ny Popular Vote.
"My friends, this is a great injustice,
it is a great wrong. Under the COM
mon law we learn that for every wrong
there is a remedy. There is a remedy
for this wrong, and. in my Judgment.
this remedy is simple and adequate.
would make the commissioner of pen
sions an elective office. l would give
the old soldiers the opportunity to say
who should be commissioner of pen
sions, and who should interpret the
law that was made for their benefit.
AS to how this should best be done
am not welded, to any particular
theory. l am willing to consult and
advise as to how this can best be done.
AT the present. it is my judgment that
1t would answer the purpose if law
was passed providing that each Grand
Army post in this nation, should at
stated times hold an election in their
posts, permitting all beneficiaries over
the age Of p years to vote for whom
they desire appointed commissioner of
pensions, and the person who receives
the highest number of votes should be
appointed by the president commits
Sioner Of pensions. If have the honor
to represent this district in congress,
it shall be my object and aim to do all
in my power to have law Of this
nature and character passed, a law
making it possible that soldiers, their
widows and orphans shall receive
fair and impartial treatment, and that
they shall have a voice in saying who
shall be their judge"
All men may not agree with all the
ideas expressed by Judge Jackson, but
they agree with his ideas or
not, they must admire the vigor with
which he delivers them. He will make
his mark and will rank among the
strong men of the house.