The National tribune., 1906-08-09
G. A. r. VETERANS ARE CITIZENS
OF MISSOURI.
An Important DecisiOn by the Supreme
Court of Missouri.

An Important DecislOn by the Supreme
Court Of Missouri.
Editor National Tribune: The heart
of every thoughtful citizen of Missouri
rejoices greatly over decision rem
dered by the Supreme Court touching
this question. In Phelps County is sit
uated the st. James Home, where some
ing of their eventful lives. At the cleo
ton in that County they exercised the
right of American citizens and voted
which resulted in the election of a Re-
publican officer. The opposing candi-
date, anxious to secure the election, re-
sorted to this expedient: The Constitu-
ton Of Missouri prohibits any pauper
or INDECENT person, supported by the
State, from voting in any election. Sc
he raised the question that these vet
Grams were "paupers" and were not en-
titled to vote, and by that means ousted
the Republican and got himself Install
ed in Office. A Democratic Judge was
called upon to adjudicate the question
and gave the decision that they were
paupers in the eyes of the law, and
should not be allowed to vote. A storm
of dissent went up over the State at this
decision. for by It's working it would
cast out the votes of the inmates of the
Confederate Home, In another part OF
the State.
All parties were anxious, therefore. to
have this matter settled at once. The
Commander of the Department of the
G. A. R., Henry Fairback, took 1t up In
deepest earnestness, and enlisted Con-
federate officers in the same investiga-
ton, raised money, and brought suit
before the Supreme Court, asking a de-
cision Of this important question to
every American citizen. To the eternal
cradH pp tho Court this pnesfinn n
STAYED off year after year, Court after
Court, wearing out the patience of the
anxious public. but taken up at once,
and a lengthy and exhaustive decision
was rendered. The Court took the po-
sition that the Constitution did not in
tend to disfranchise citizens who had
hazarded their lives for what they
thought the life # the Nation on the
field of battle. though they might hap
by the public funds in Homes erected
for that purpose. The decision of the
lower Court was therefore reversed, and
the original man was to be restored to
| the office to which he had been elected
by counting the votes of the old veter-
ans in the Home.
The Democrat counted in was excused
and made his bow to the mandate OF
the Supreme Court, In which the most
selves. A thrill of triumph of principle
went over the State, and both citizens
Union and Confederate soldiers, rejoiced
| with long-continued and increasing JOY
| No Union soldier now objects to a
Confederate exercising his right as an
American citizen so long as he is will
| ing to support and defend the Govern
ment In its existence and perpetuity;
but to cut off the old soldier either
Union or Confederate. simply because
his health has failed, probably on ac-
count of his exposure ir, the field, and
| is housed in a Home, made our citizens
| blush In shame.
| Minneapolis is now the "watchword,'
and all G. A. r. men are making ar
rangements to make the assault on her
breastworks in August. We have a can.
didate. OF course we have. and win.
ming one, too. Our Department deeply
sympathizes with our COMMANDMENT.
Chief over his terrible and irreparable
loss in the death of his wife in such ar
unexpected and terrible manner. Mis-.
souri, will stand by him to the extent ci
her power.-T. H. Hagerty. late Chap
| lain-in-C Chief, st. Louis, Mo.