The National tribune., 1903-06-18
In a Glass by Himself.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: A great
deal is being written of late relative to
pensions, and especially service pension
Of S12 month for Gll who were in the
army, regardless of the amount of their
service, age, or disability, while others ad.
vOcate special rating for a certain class
that will cover their eases; as for instance
those who have lost leg or an arm. The
trouble seems to be that we are too much
divided, and advocate too many pension
bills. I think myself that no pension bill
ever presented to Congress contained the
full measure Of justice to all so completely
rs the bill advocated a short time since by
The National Tribune, granting a service
pension to each cOmrade on reaching the
age Of G5 years, and thereafter to be grad
ed to certain extent according to the age
of the veteran drawing it. However, The
National Tribune seems to have dropped
that for service pension bill Of $12 to
every cOmrade, old or young, rich or poor,
strong or infirm. To this service pension
bill I have no objections to make, only l
am perfectly satisfied in my own mind
that it will not be passed by Congress for
many years to come. The trouble with
Congress is that they are delayed until
nearly all the men who did any service
are dead. and the drummer boys and other
boys enlisting during the last six months
Of the war are the only ones benefited. 1t
will be the same with service pension for
survivors Of the civil war, when it passes.
But it is true that il Congress should pass
that bill at its next session, it would help
many comrades who did the country good
service, and nd while great many comrades
OF from 30 days to six months service
would be benefited, have no kick coming
on that account. would like to live to
see the day that every survivor Of the
civil war draws a pension.
For myself, l am content as matters
now stand. I went out May 1, 1861,
and served till in June, 1865, the first two
and one-half years as an enlisted man and
the balance, a commissioned officer 1
was once wounded and twice prisoner
OF war, and am not so very much better
OFF physically than many a comrade who
lost an arm or leg; but I am very kindly
remembered and generously dealt with by
the Government that l served, as l hold
pension certificate No. 335, ,3OS, which en-
titles me to $S.62h month. As am the
only survivor of the civil war or any other
war, among the hundreds of thousands of
pensioners who receives $S.G2h n month,
am somewhat like Paddy's pig: "AII in a
drove by himself loike." The difference
between that and service pension Of $12
month-only $33711a-wOuld not begin
to pay me for this grand distinction; this
high honor. which Iseem to enjoy. How
ever, If there is another comrade in the
world who is In this pension class with
me, I would be gladDito hear from and d.
vide the honor with him. 1 might explain
why l receive thisiextra honor, but can
not afford to just for fun: but when the
comrades and our friends anywhere in the
United States feelo IKE making it an OBJ
Ject for the only pensioner who receives
$S621A month pension, to meet them face
to face and tell them all about it, 1 will
be delighted to do so; but. while my honor
Is sufficient for me,1 shall not oppose any
other comrade and All other comrades in
getting $12 a MONTH IL they want it.-R.
Il. BEECHAM. I'd Wis. and 23d q. s. C.
T., Everett, Wash.;n