The National tribune., 1901-07-25
VETERANS OF IDAHO AGGRIEyED.
State Supreme Court Disiranchises inmates
| of Soldiers' Home.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: We have quite
recently returned TO our homes from the
14th Annual Encampment, Grand Army OF
the Republic, Department Of Idaho and also
the Annual Convention Of the Woman's Re
lief Corps Of this Department.
The Department Of Idaho is but strip
ling as compared 10 the great States nlst
Of US. In submitting my quarterly report
and account Of the Pension Department,
Washington, ID. c., find / have examined
comrades who served faithfully our Govern
ment In the days that tried the spirit and
physical energy of men. They come from
Pennsylvania, Maine, Indiana. Ohio, Tennes-
see, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan
California, Arkansas and Oregon. 1t is graf
fylng TO notice how true and patriotic the
old boys remain. Some were In batteries,
some in cavalry, some in infantry. They
lost their professions while In service, lost
the opportunity of a successful business ca
reer, hence came to the West to seek for
time and employment. i have been United
States Examiner for pensions under Presi-
dents Harrison, Cleveland and Mckinley, and
yet remain in same duty TO date. About
three-hfths Of the examinations for pensions
In this locality are for original pensions. Be
ing on In the mountains and mines, they
finally break down and come to the Govern
ment or poor-house and hospital for relief
Al the recent ERcampment, held at Occur
d'Alene. Idaho, the Onmandcr-in-C Chief, Gen.
Leo Rassieur, g. A. r., and Mrs. Mary Carr,
President Of the w. X. c., were with us
through the session. The old General with
his white head and eagle eye, added dignity,
patriotism and enthusiasm to our meeiings
while Mrs. Carr, also gray, tall In stature,
with New England culture and wonderful
executive ability, electrified ali who saw and
heard her speak. Graceful In delivery, pa
ulotc In heart and with strong, full voice,
she spoke as one OF authority. The Com
mander-in-Chief and the President of the
W. X. c. OF the United States cOmpIimented
this Department as among the first to re
spond with substantial aid to the Galveston
horror In relieving the great distress at that
place. While Idaho old not furnish a single
man or single military organization for
In the great Republic. Born in the sun
light Of peace, and with liberty and union
reflected from mountain sides, valleys, lakes
and rivers, a part Of the great mower
that moves the political wheels of the world,
and in the Yastness Of extent, population,
intelligence and energy We are In common in
tereStcd with you.
II is here meet the great scouts Of
both ,sides-UniOn and Confederate They
left their native States after the war closed
came West 10 get rid of entanglng dangers
that awaited them at home. Tennessee Ar
kansas and Missouri are especially repTesen-
ed here by men that have seen toll, danger
and persecution.
The principal object of nv writing Won is
10 state that recent decision Of our State
Supreme Court disfranchises the inmates Of
our State Soldiers Home, at Boise CITY
Idaho. At the last general election the Re
publican candidate was elected Superintend-
ent Of Public Instruction for Ada County
| The old veterans In the Home at Boise were
duly registered, other citizens They
voted, Of course. Now. the recent decision
Is that they tthe veterans) are not entitled
TO vote by reason of being inmates of a pub
lie asylum. Hence the Republican candidat.
elected Is removed, and the Democratic and
POpuistic candidate is seated In ofiice-this
done after returns were In and the candidate
elected by q majority, duly stated, and
sworn into Office. They went behind the
returns, but how they knew or learned the
old veterans voted for this or that candi-
date, under the Australian ballot system In
vogue In this State, is mystery to US
Now. remember, the veterans IN our State
Soldiers Home registered, the same as other
In regard to elective franchise, and to the