The National tribune., 1901-05-16
Commissioner of Pensions.

ANAIIoNAlI louI
cellent paper is read almost universally
by old soldiers in this vicinity, and is gen
orally accepted by them as the best OBJ
tainable authority upon all subjects per-
Ltaining TO the interests of the old soldiers
and their widows, and while there is much
interest among them in regard to the ap-
pOintment of a new Commissioner of Pen
SiOnS, yet wide difference of opinion eX-
lists, some claiming that there will be no
change in the incumbent of that office,
for the reason that the Administration
approves of the policy of the present Com
missioner, while others claim that the Ad-
miDistration has only been waiting for
the expiration of his present term of Of
fee for an opportunity to remove him, or
rather to appoint another in his place
without giving offense to the present Com
missioner and his friends. We have
watched the columns of The National Fri
bune anxieusly for reliable information
on this subject, but as yet have found
nothing satisfactory to either faction. As
stated above, we accept the statements to
be found in the columns of The National
Tribune as the best obtainable testimony
in all that pertains to the interest of the
old soldier and his widow, and | write at
the suggestion of several interested COM
raGes to request that you kindly give us
through the columns of The National Tri-
bune something more definite than you
above subject.
l find upon the second page of The Ma
tional Tribune of March q a commune
cation from a correspondent, who signs
his name Will ID. Mccullough, of Brazil,
Ind. (whether a comrade or not he does
not state), in which he states as follows:
IF there is to be change in the Office
of Commissioner of Pensions, the great
State of Indiana has man well qualified
to fill that position" etc. After referring
TO the splendid qualifications of his candi-
date he presents the name of Col. /. n.
Walker, of Indianapolis, Ind, who is well
and favOrably known by the comrades OF
Michigan. l have slight acquaintance
with Comrade Walker, and although there
are several leading men of the G. A. r.
who are residents of Michigan who are
undoubtedly as well qualified for the po-
sition of Commissioner of Pensions as
Comrade Walker, and undoubtedly would
give as general satisfaction to the old sol
diers, yet | can assure your correspondent
and the comrades of the Department of
Indiana that If" as he states it, there
is to be a change in the Office of Commits
sioDer of Pensions" land Michigan will
hold up both hands for the change) the
appointment of Comrade Walker to that
position would give entire satisfaction to
the comrades of the Department of Mich
igan, G.. A. II.
While we acknowledge the right of any
member of the G. A. II. and also the right
of any person interested in the matter to
present the name of any person as can
didate for the position of Commissioner of
Pensions whom they may consider quail
fed for the position, yet | suggest the
thought as to whether it would not be
better for all concerned if We would forego
our personal preferences and unite in pre-
senting the name Of some suitable com
rade as a candidate for the office of Com
missioner of Pensions, provided. as your
correspondent says, there is to be a
change in the Office"
If the comrades throughout the differ
ent Departments of the G. A. r. and all
others interested will do this, / will guar
antee that the comrades of the Depart
ment of Michigan, G. A. r., will unitedly
sustain the nomination of Comrade
Walker or any other comrade who is as
thoroughly qualified in every respect as
we believe COmrade Walker to be, for the
office of Commissioner of Pensions. Think
Of it, comrades, and consider as to wheth-
er by thus uniting in presenting the name
Of some one competent comrade, whom
all could heartily sustain, as they could
Comrade Walker, and dropping all other
names, let it be known through the col
umns of The National Tribune that this
one man is the candidate of the G. A. r.
and of all others interested, could we not
exert an influence in placing at the head
Of the Pension Office q man who would
meet all the requirements of that respon-
sible position that we could in no other
way? Then let us commence the work at
once, and if we cannot unite on COmrade
Walker, let us select someone whom we
can unite on, and then sticking to our de-
Eberate choice let our desires be known
through the columns of The National Tri-
bune until it can no longer be said ''if
there is to be change. Jos. S. PRES
TON, Past Commander of II. w. Dresser
Post, 100; Past Chaplain, Department of
Michigan, G. a. r.; private, Co. G, 9th
Mich, Lyons, Mich.
For Relief of Destitute Veterans and Families
Tho Knnsas .npiSln ntr1rn hnc nnccnd thn