The state herald., 1908-10-30
Republican Party Wholly RESPONSE
bic for Caring for Old
Soldiers.
Democrats Opposed All Friendly Aid
-Damning Record-Taft Great
Friend of g. A. R.

Ah' hii Ihlil il'lll otliNi
parties 1t waged to successful con-
clnslon, the greatest war of modern
times
II has never ceased to honor the
victorious army. Every Republican
President elected since the close of
that war had been conspicuous Off
Ger OF the Federal army, with the eS-
ception OF President Roosevelt, whose
brilliant record in the Spanish war is
matter of just pride to the American
people.
Republican Pension Legislation.
Republican legislation for the old
soldier. his widow and his minor chill
dren has been generous and bountiful.
The Invalid Pension Law of July II,
1862. and the Dependent Law Of June
%. 1890, are monuments of Republl-
can achievement and bear witness to
the country's tender care OF Its soldiers
mud its sailors and their families,
The Act of June -. 1890, is a fitting
illustration Of the generosity Of the
Republican party toward the veterans
of the Civil War. This law was passed
by Republican Congress, was signed
by a Republican President, and through
its administration there was expended
during tht next fiscal year total
amount Of SOS, 70S. .SGO.Tl. The number
Of soldiers receiving the benefit OF this
act amounted to Ii3,72l, while the num-
ber Of the dependents relieved 10y this
Act was 17l.259 The gain in the mum.
bcr Of pensioners under this Act, over
the previous year was S.6i3 and the
gain from June 80. 1890. TO January 3,
1901, was I.093.
The Republican party passed the Act
Of April 10. 1905. increasing pensions
OF all widows from s. To $l2 per month
and granting pensions without refer
ence TO the value Of property or In
come. The Republican party also
passed the Act OF February o, 1907,
granting pensions TO soldiers by reason
OF nge alone. without regard OF dis.
ability.
Democratic Opposition Record.
The Democratic party. as such, has
opposed every measure voting nppro-
priations for pensions. Its record for
the past forty years is one OF oppo-
sition to those men who bore the hard
ships OF war and JeopardIzcd their
lives that the Union might be preserv-
cd Here Is brief list OF their OH.
cial. adverse Acts In Congress towards
the veterans Of the Ciyil War:
In 1875 bill passed the House re-
pealing all Limitations OF time In which
applications for arrears OF pensions
should be made. This was opposed by
a majority OF the Democrats. The bill
Increasing the pensions for widows
from eight TO twelve dollars per month
was opposed by the Democrats. The
Amputatlon Bill passed August 4, 1896.
was opposed by the Democrats and yot.
cd for solldly by the Republicans IN
the House. The Widows Arrears Bill.
the Disability Pension Bnl were both
fought bitterly by the Democrats,
In the Forty.thlrd Congress a DE.
pendent Pension BIZ was voted on In
the Senate, the Republicans supporting
II solidly and the Democrats opposing
II by n two-thirds vote. In the House
this bill was voted for solldly by lie.
publicnns and opposed by majority
Of the Democrats. After II had passed
the House md Senate II was vetoed by
President Cleveland, n Democrat. An
effort was made In the House TO pass
the bill over Cleyeland's veto, the lie.
publlenns voting i3s for II aud the
Democrats voting i25 against H.
This vote showed that twenty nine
Democrats who had originally voted for
the bill FASTENED 20 avail themselves OF
the opportunity afforded by the prcsl.
dents veto. 10 vote against Il. thus t.s
tlfying their real sentiments. while
twenty other Democrats who had dodg.
ID the flrst vote came mp promptly and
supported the veto. The Dependent
Pension bill was bitterly opposed by
The Democrats, the Republicans putting
N through despite the opposition. This
Mn. a. the old soldiers well know.
was promptly signed by President uar.
rison.
Dsmeevsts Dislike Veterans.
To sum up, the following gives the
Total Of fourteen votes Of Congress
upon the mos, important Of tho various
Ienslon measures presented since the
war. via;
Democrats for the bill. at
Democrats ngnihs, the bills. Sis
Republicans for the bills. 1906
Republicans against tho bills. Non.
The of'cial records OF national iegis
lation show that Of all the Republican
presidents since the war. only one has
withheld his signature from any pen,
sion bill. and that rus General Grant.
who was forced 10 decline 20 approve
I'VE Of these bills The Democrats have
only been IN power for a few brief
Years since the war, and their ptcsi.
dent, Grover Cleveland vetoed $50 pen.
sion bills The records show that