Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-08-06
From a Disabled Civil War
Veteran of Monmouth.
Endorsing Congressman BurIeigh's
Work for the 3rd Maine District
And His UnfaiIing Care and Attention for
Grand Army Men.

| eoI lCl
Editor of Reporter-Journal:
In connection with the resolutions
adopted by the U. V. ". of your citv
"hich L have seen, criticising Govern
or Burleigh's action in the matter Of
the appointment of the postmaster at
Gardiner, l wish to say that the old
soldiers of this district never have had
ana never VIII have more devoted
or more persistent friend at Washing
ton. NO man in Congress has ever
peen more industrious in the further
ance OF their interests or prompter in
responding to their calls.
The pension department is conducted
according to certain established rules
of procedure and evidence. No case
can be successful, however worthy it
may be, unless it is able to fulfill these
departmental requirements. Unless
they are met, it is not within the power
OF any member of Congress to secure
their favorable consideration. 1t is
within the power, however. of a mem
Der OF Congress to advise and aid the
Old soldiers in many ways. and all that
II Is IN the power of any living man to
do in furtherng the interests of his
soldier constituents has been done and
is being done by Governor Burleigh
In him the soldiers of this district have
not only true friend but one who is
an untlrinS worker in the furtherance
OF their interests. He is prompt and
efficient, never putting off till tomor-
row any matter that should be done
today, and by his genial bearing uni
form courtesy and straightforward
methods. has made as many friends at
the pension department., where he is al
ways a welcome visitor, as any member
of Congress.
Mr. Burleigh is the only man VINO
has ever represented this district in
Congress who has undertaken to keen
a complete record of every pension
case in the furtherance of which his
assistance has been asked The clerical
work alone involved in this undertake
ing must have been a large drain up
on the time OF man with so many
and varied interests to look after, and
yet to this methodical way Of handling
such matters. this close and constant
mastery of details, l attribute no small
part of his notable success in achiev
ing results for the veterans of his dis
trict.
| am only one of hundreds whom ne
has helped, and 1 merely state the facts
of my personal experience to show how
close and constant has been his devo-
ton to the soldier interests in his dis
trict.
1 will introduce myself briefly to your
readers by stating that l left Mon
mouth for Wisconsin. in 1855. and re-
I t,onr no
Maine House of Representatives from
Monmouth in 1873. During the Rebel
lion I was captain of Co. II of the 49th
Wisconsin Volunteers.
In the spring of 1897. was stricken
with paralysis, since which time
have been obliged to have the constant
attendance of a nurse, and my occupa-
ton has been within the limits OF
wheelchair. On June Il, 1881, a lie"
days prior to his first election to Con-
gress. / made an urgent appeal to Gov
ernor Burleigh to aid me in my dls-
tress His response was prompt and 10
the point, for two days after ne wrote
me that if he had IAN invitation TO go
to Washington" he would give my
matter his earnest personal attention.
From that day down to the day OF
final success he pursued the case with
all the energy he possessed. AT ms
request, DR.. GiddingS of Gardiner. was
detailed by the commissioner OF pen
sions to examine me at my nome.
From that time on until my pension
was allowed, l was in constant CORE
spondence with Governor Burlelgn
Every reasonable man knows that
these claims necessarily move very
slowly at the pension bureau, but,
through the pressing opportunities OF
our congressman the case was finally
decided and was allowed the full cap
tafn's pension of s12 per month, with
large amount Of back pay.
No one not similarly situated can
understand the feeling of gratitude and
relief which / felt on receiving the
news from Governor Burleigh of this
result. In the following June, L re-
! cefved a letter from the congressman
| informing me that, while at the bureau
of pensions. looking over some claims.
| including my own, he had become sat
| isfied that / was clearly entitled to
much larger amount of back pay than
| was allowed me, and, upon his request,
| | made an application to the commits
soner for q careful review of the case,
With the result that in the following
July was allowed over $500 additional
back pay Doubtless this error would
have remained undiscovered to this
| day, except for the careful and intell
! gent inspection of all the papers by
| Governor Burleigh.
| In this connection | desire to add
that probably more than one-half Of
the claims for pensions are rejected for
lack of proof that the claimants disa-
biity originated in the service. No
claimant can secure a pension without
sufficient proof to bring the case with
in the laws of Congress and the regu
lations of the bureau OF pensions. But
with sufficient evidence and with the
congressman representing the district
where the claimant resides doing all
in his power to further its considera-
ton. there is but little doubt of success.
He has the power to take claim out
of its usual slow course and hasten it
on to settlement.
What | have said relative to my own
case / have no doubt can be said of
hundreds of others throughout this dis
trict | know that the Grand Army
men have not truer. more devoted
or more persistent friend and worker
,bo, Governor Burleigh. and I shall