The National tribune., 1909-09-02

from PittSburg parties denOunelnS 1ne
writer from that city of communica-
ton in The National Tribune against
the widows pension bill. They say that
the city could be gone over with fine
tooth comb without finding another such
man. James T. Crooks, 18th Ohio.
Toledo, o., says that Jane is an old
bachelor, but not from choice, and has
soured on all womankind.
Mrs. Fl. E. Butler. Fairfield, ILL.,, re-
sents Comrada Marriotts assertion that
young women do not marry old men
merely to take care of them. Her hus-
band is veteran, and they were mar
ried nearly 8 years ago. She certainly
has not wanted to get him out of the
way. At the time of marriage her hus-
band was just twice her age. For the
past six years he has been almost help
less most of the time. and for the last
four years she has hardly known what
was an unbroken nights sleep. She
would like Mr. Marriott to take her
place one week, and see if he would
not be converted to the idea that wO-
men who care for veterans are well en-
titled to a pension.
John SchmidIing. 45th n. Y, and
Commander of Post 60. New York. says
that he lost his dear wife five years
ago. and last year he married the
daughter of a comrade who served in
the same regiment with him for nearly
five years. She had taken good care OF
him for 10 years, refusing all offers of
marriage. and now she is taking care
of two old veterans. If she is not de-
serving of a pension. who is, whether
she was married in 1850 or 1850?
J. NJ Davis, Harrisville, W. Va, In
N iona nj a he Of =, Con
man. Harry woodward, in opposing
widows pensions. Comrade Davis's
wife, who has been a faithful partner,
and has had a hard time in caring for
him, would be left without a pension if
he should die first
Mrs. Mary w. Smith. Tiffin. o.. de-
sires most of all a law to give soldiers
widows who have no other means and
are now 20 years ole $500 year. She
deems this only just and right, since
these aged women fought at home with
poverty and hardships. while their hus-
bands fought at the front She is now
past 80 years old, and could not expect
to enjoy such a pension very long. Her
husband was a Captain in the 124th
Ohio.
Prof. P J. Loyeland. Cazenovia, ".
Y, has taught public schools a great
many years. and had chance to OBJ
serve the workings of the widows pen
sion law In many cases the widow is
left lonely, and afterward meets one she
should like to marry. who is advanced
in years like herself and of similar
tastes. Often the man can support him,
self. but not wife. If she nlarries the
man she must lose the pension she re.
ceived on account of the death of he,
former husband or else go sorrowina
and lonely thru the rest of her life He
cannot see why if wonan's pension In
taken away when she remarries a SOL
dier's is not also when he remarries
He cannot understand why soldiers
widow should be made to suffer any
more than the soldier himself.
]. ]. Boyer, Xenia, ILL.,, hopes tha,
The National Tribune will succeed in its
effort. to have the limit removed from
widows pensions. He has studied the
matter a great deal, and finds that not
one out of thousand women who have
married veterans is young girl. They
are all splendid women, who have I'M
selfishly devoted themselves to taking
care of a veteran and probably his
young children. He married his present
wife in August, 1890, when he was not
drawing pension. She has been liv.
ing with him IS years. and IL he should
die before her she would be left unpro-
vided for. This is not justice. not even
decency. He served four years and two
months during the war in Co. Il, 11th
Ill. Cav. and would like to hear from
some of his old comrades.