The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-08-14
A WORD FOR FORDNEY.
w. ID. FITZPATRICK, A FORMER
OWOSSO BOY
WAS COHGRESsMAN'S SEc'Y

Speaks of Mr.. FOrdney's Interest i'm
the Old Soldiers and of the Time
He Devoted to Them.
w. ID. Fitzpatrick, of Laurel, Miss,
a former Owosso boy. and for sew
eral years private secretary to Con-
gresham Fordney, writes relative to
his personal knowledge of how the
Congressman looked after the well
fare of the old soldiers. The letter
follows:
Laurel, Miss, Aug. 4, 1908.
Editor TINES:
Dear Sir-I note through the COL
umns of your paper that there is
some opposition to the denomination
of Congressman Fordney and among
other canards referred to therein is
one which has gained some circula-
ton, to the effect that Mr.. Fordney
has not been diligent in looking af-
ter the welfare of the old soldiers.
Now, the writer had the honor ana
pleasure of being with Mr.. Fordney
for nearly eight years in his work at
Washington and knows probably as
well as anyone, of Mr.. Fordney's eff
forts in behalf of the fast decreasing
army of the "Boys in Blue" and if
there is any one of the various sto-
ries being circulated to the detri-
ment of the congressman, which is
absolutely without foundation in
fact, it is this one. | state without
fear of contradiction and with the
data available to back up the asser-
ton, that Congressman Fordney
stands second to no man in the
House of Representatives in his eff
forts and achievements in behalf of
the soldiers. / say no man now in
the House has had more pensions
granted, in proportion to the num-
Der of claims handled than has Mr..
Fordney, and, with the exception Of
the members of the Committees on
Pensions in the House and Senate, I
say that no member has secured the
passage of more pension bills in the
length of time of service than has
Mr.. Fordney. Why, sir, Mr.. Ford
ney gave more than two-thirds of his
time to the furtherance of claims for
the old boys and many times have
known him to allow other seemingly
more important affairs to go until he
had unraveled some knotty problem
in the department for one Of the
boys. have known him to fight
days and days on some claim which
to the average person, would seem
hopeless fight, and come out victori-
Gus where many a man would have
failed. I do not say that he has
always been successful in getting
what he wanted for some of the SOL
diers, but do say that he has never
let an opportunity go by to do just
the very best that he could for them,
and if he has failed in some cases
it has only been after he has exhaust
ed every effort at his command. And
after all this service, after all the
pains and efforts he has put forth
for the old boys, to have to face the
story that he has been derelict in
their behalf, seems to me to be al
most the end of the limit.
If any. perchance. should discredit
my statements, as coming from one
I will say that neither
my assertions nor those of any other
person have to be relied upon in this
instance. The records are an open
book and will show for themselves.
If Mr.. Fordney's opponents would
rely upon this canard to support
their claims, let them come forward
with the obtainable evidence. III
Mr.. Fordney has been negligent in
this respect they can prove it. If
they don't prove it now the chances
are that they can not prove 1t. But
I know the records will bear out my
statements as far as achievements |
are concerned and results are shown.
But as for Mr.. Fordney's efforts in
behalf of the boys, no record will
show that. There are only a few
who know what efforts he has made |
in their behalf, which does not APP
pear on any record. And it should |
be plain to the Boys of 81 that some
thing is wrong somewhere when |
such tactics are resorted to to gain |
their votes and deprive Mr.. Fordney |
Of the support of that part of his |
which owes him more
han any like number of individuals.
The writer is too far away from
he scene of action to get much of d
inc on conditions in the Eighth Dis
riot, but wishes to say to the good
people there that If the opponents
If Mr.. Fordney can trot out nothing
With more truth in it than their
story as to his efforts for the soldiers
here will be mighty little reason for
swapping horses in the middle of