The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-10-19

Regarding to conduct Of the Army
and Navy Department tie letter ron.
tends that favoritiSm has prevailed
throughout, and that promotions and
court-martialS have been conducted on
an unfair basis.
The Republican attitude toward the
Pension Department is severely crit.
cised by Judge Parker. particularly
the famous "Order No. 49, which pen'
sions all veterans of the late Civil War
who are now over siXty-twO years Of
age. He says in part:
The national Democracy favorS lib
eral pensions to the surviving soldiers
and sailors and their dependents, Oh
the ground that they deserve liberal
treatment. 1t pledges by its platform
adequate legislation to that end. But
it denies the right Of the Executive to
uSurp the power Of Congress to legiS-
late on that subject. Such usurpatiOn
was attempted by Pension Order No.
rs. and effect has been given to it by 4
Congress that dared not resent the
usurpation. 1t is said that this order
was made in the performance of a duty
Il1lllOSeu tlJoll III llVSltClit ~ uNI VI
Congress- but the provision making
the imposition is not pointed out.
1.-THE old inquiry. What are you 60
ing to do about it, is now stated in q
new form. 1t is said by the Admins
t"ration, in reply to the public criticism
of this order. that 1T is easy to test our
opponents sincerity in this natter
IF elected 1 will revoke that order.
But I will go further and say that that
being done. I will contribute my effort
toward the enactment Of a law to be
passed by both houses of Congress and
approved by the Executive that will
give an age pension without reference
to disability to the surviving heroes or
the Civil War"
Extravaganza in the conduct Of the
business affairs of the Administration
is charged, and q curtailment Of eH-
penscs all along the line is promised
should he become the Executive.
An investigation Of the conduct OF
the various departments is demanded
in lieu of the recent frauds uncovered
in The Postal Department.
In concluding the letter he says:
II have put aside 4 congenial work,
to which 1 had expected to devote my
life. in order to ssume, as best I can,
the responsibilities your convention put
upon me. 1 solicit the cordial cooper
alton and generous assistance OF every
man who believes that 4 change of
measures and of men at this time
would be wise, and urge harmony OF
endeavor as we'll as vigorous action Oh
the part of all so minded. The issues
are Joined and the people must render
the verdict. Shall economy of admin
istration be demanded or shall eXtrava-
gance be encouraged? Shall the wrong
doer be brought to bay by the people
or must Justice wait upon political Oil
garchy? Shall our Government stand
for an equal opportunity or for special
privilege? Shall it remain q govern
ment of law or become II of individ-
ual caprice? Shall we cling to the rule
of the people or shall we embrace ben
efcent despotism? With calmness and
confidence we await the peoples ver-
dict.
"If called to the office of President
shall consider myself the Chief Mag
istrate Of all the people and not OF any
faction, and shall ever be mindful OF
the fact that on many questions of ma
tional policy there are honest differ
ences of OPTION. 1 believe in the pa
triotism. good sense and absolute sim
cerity of all the people. I shall strive
to remember that he may serve his
party best who serves his country best.
IF it be the wish Of the people that
I undertake the duties of the Presi-
dency. I pledge myself. with Gods
help. to devote all my powers and EN-
ergy to the duties of this exalted office.
Very truly yours.
"ALTON E. PARKER"