The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1909-04-22
NEWS AND VIEWS
OF WASHINGTON
Interesting Letter From Our Special
Correspondent.
WORKING, FOR OLD SOLDIERS
Congressman Kendall vitality inter
ectea in Welfare of the Boys of
1S6o-Metz Postmaster
to Remain.
(By Cyrus ;Foss stoddard.)

resentative Kendall, of the Sixth Dis
trict, as has been suggested in these
letters, Is vitality interested In the
old soldiers, and is determined to do
all he can to secure for them the JUS
tice TO which they are entitled, in
recognition of the heroic service they
rendered the country during the try
ing days of '61-'65. To this end, on
Monday, he introduced the following
bill, which Is here given in full in
order that the veterans may see just
what Mr.. Kendall is endeavoring to
do in their behalf:
"Be 1t enacted, etc., That from and
after the passage of this Act every
surviving volunteer soldier of the
army of the United States, who serv-
ed in the field for a period of three
months, between the first day of April
1861 and the first day of August, H.
66, and who has been honorably dis
charged from said army, shall be en-
titled, from and after the date of his
application therefor, and during his
natural life, to a pension of one dol
lar per day, to be paid our of any
money in the treasury appropriated
for pensions.
"That applications for pensions I'M
der this Act shall be accompanied by
evidence identifying the applicant as
the person whose name appears In
the records of the organization to
which said applicant claims to have
belonged, and shall be verified as the
Law requires in other applications for
pensions.
THAT any person who shall receive
a pension under the provisions OF
this Act shall be held to have relin-
pushed all right or claim to any 9TH
er pension after the date of filing the
application herein provided.
This seems to be the most equitable
provision that can be made and will
obviate many of the difficulties which
now arise under the present laws.
Another bill introduced by Mr. Ken
dali this week provides for the grant
ing of pensions to prisoners OIL war,
as follows:
BE it enacted, ETC., That from and
after the passage of this Act every
officer, soldier, sailor or marine now
surviving who, while in the service
of the United States, was taken pris.
oner of war and confined in a con-
federate prison between April list,
1861, and August 1st, 1865, shall be
entitled to a pension of Fifty Dollars
per month provided, that such sur
viving prisoners of war as are now
receiving a pension may have it in
creased to the amount herein pro-
vided, but this act shall not be con-
strued to reduce any such pension"
Postmaster May Remain.
Mr.. J. w. Clement, who recently
resigned as postmaster at Metz, Jas
per county, has agreed to remain,
provided the Office is not required to
handle money orders. Inasmuch as
this seems to be the sentiment of the
patrons of the office, Mr.. Kendall has
taken the matter up with the First
Assistant Postmaster General and !
is very likely that Mr.. Clement will
be retained.
Mr.. Kendall has introduced a bill
providing for an increase in the pen.
sion of John Bokart, South Ottumwa,
and also a bill granting a pension to
DR.. Couger, of Agency.
In voting for the tariff bill and it's
amendments, Mr.. Kendall stood firm
ly for the best interests of the con-
sumer in Iowa ana the Sixth district.
The record shows that he voted for
free lumber, an increased duty on bar
ley and barley malt, for 10 per cent
duty on hides and for free petroleum,
including crude oil and its products.
Some Tariff Schedules.
After the amendment providing for
free oil had passed the House the
other day, Mr.. Cannon, who had made
an impassioned speech in which he
pleaded with congress not to cruelty
the people by admitting that article
free, passed down one of the aisles
and was heard to remark in lond
whisper: "Why, d it, they'd cru.
city Christ here" a.
A few days ago on street car, Mr..
Kendall was drawn into converse
ton by a man who was greatly ex-
cited over the lumber schedule. AT.
ter talking for some time, during
which the Iowa man listened atten-
lively, his friend tapped him on the
knee and said:
"Come, let's have smoke togeth.
err" .E -,...s...
"Just finished a good cigar" was
the reply. ..,., .
well, les have drink, then"
IL don't drink, thank you"
"Well," he continued desperately,
"let's go and take poison"
The invitation was declined with
thanks.
Peculiar Communications.
Some peculiar letters are received
by congressman, many of these docu-
ments presenting some very interest.
ing claims. Recently a number OF
the representatives received letter
from a certain o. J. Markle. Of Ohio.
formerly resident OF the Second
district Of Iowa, which letter coa.s