The National tribune., 1909-03-18
THE PENNSYLVANIA PENSION
BTII

the House Appropriation Committee
the Pennsylvania Legislature on th
Reyburn pension bill This bill, TIL
text of which has been given in Tn
National Tribune, has been modifie'
somewhat and favorably reported from
the Committee on Pensions and Gratui
ties. 1t carries an appropriation of 81,
100000. and provides for a fiat pen
lsion of Sc a month to all Pennsylva
mans who served three months and ar
now residents of the State. 1t makes
no provision for the emergency men
and some of these are opposing it. TIL,
G. A. r. delegation which appeared be
fore the Committee on Appropriations
to advocate the passage of the bill were
II. II. Bengough, Pittsburg, Chairman
of the Pension Committee named by the
G.. 4. r. of Pennsylvania; John w Era
zier, Philadelphia, Secretary of the COM
mittee: Gen. Patrick Delacey, Depart
ment Commander, Scranton; Assistant
Department Adjutant-General Chas. A
Sedan, Philadelphia; Asa B. Stevens,
Scranton: former Congressman ]. w.
Hicks, Altoona; w. H. Cook, York; j.
r. Craig, President of the Philadelphia
Grand Army Association: Maj. Levi G.
McCauley. West Chester: Thaddeus M.
Mahon. Chambersburg, the next Depart
ment Commander; Christian +. Gram
Itch, Philadelphia; Assistant Quarter
master General, CT. a. r., Col. VIM. II.
Redheffer, Philadelphia, and J. B. Pat
rick, who headed a delegation of about
20 veterans from Post 5S, G. A. R., of
Harrisburg.
Samuel G. Diehl, of George A Meade
Post. /, Philadelphia, and Benjamin f.
Irving, Post 81, West Chester, were
present to urge recognition of the
emergency men.
James +. Woodward, Chairman of the
Appropriation Committee, presided, and
Representative Reyhurn, author of the
bill, presented the speakers.
In advocating the bill Maj. Bengough
said that it had been estimated that
State eligible under the bill, but he did
not believe it possible for more than
10000 applications to be considered in
two years, and for that reason the
amount needed would not be in excess
of s2,700.000. In reply to questions Col.
Bengough said that only Pennsyl anians
who served in Pennsylvania commands
and now live in the Commonwealth
would be eligible. He did ee how
it was possible to avoid drawing lire
against those who resided outside the
State. To include all who had served
in Pennsylvania regiments and might
now be outside the State would take in,
he estimated, about $4,000 beneficiaries.
In reply to the question as to its effect
upon Pennsylvania veterans in Soldiers
Homes in other States, Adj't-Gen. Stew
art replied that such veterans had not
lost their legal residence in Pennsylva-
mia. One of the members called atten-
tion TO the fact that the biil practically.
divided the veterans into three classes:
The $4,000 who would be benefited by
the bill, the $4,000 who now live in
other States. and the 1900 who had
always lived in Pennsylvania, but had
served in regiments from other States.
He understood that the last two classes
would be cut out, and this fact was
conceded, with the statement that it
was the best that could be done. Mr..
Diehl presented the case of the emer-
gency men, saying that they had never
asked for a pension, but If any were
granted they We're entitled to considera-
ton. He admitted that some regiments
of emergency men had been mustered
out on the same day that they had been
mustered in The committee in charge
of the bill do not feel sanguine of its
altho its justice strongly COM
mends it to everyone. Two years ago
the bill giving SO a month was passed
by both Hnuses, with but one dissenting
vote in the Senate, but was vetoed by
Stuart, on the ground that
the State Treasury could not afford the |
expenditure. Now it is understood that
Governor Stuart favors this bill, but |
that there are enough Senator'S and |
Representatives opposed to 1T TO defeat |
It. The bill should certainly pass. The |
great State of Pennsylvania, which is
richer than many Of the Kingdoms of
Europe, can certainly afford this COM
paratively small recognition of the SER
vice of the men who not only did worl,
Of inestimable value in saving the
Union, but by their unfaiIing valor and
rortitude made glorious history for the
Commonwealth. Pennsylvania was sI-
perbly represented on every battlefield
Tor the Union, and the Commonwealth
s on record as not only having had
more of her sons killed in defense of
The Union than any other State, but
having a larger percentage of dead
han any other. This pension bill would
,e the best testimonial OF appreciation
md gratitude to the service of her sons
hat Pennsylvania could make, and its
would rebound more to her
anne than any number of monuments.
Ne sincerely hope that the opposing
senator's and Representatives can be ,
made to see this plain fact, and that
'ote for the bin will be an act to which {
hey can look back upon with sincere ,
'ride. Let them, in the language of S
resident Cleveland, give this as a ,
parting benefaction" TO the men who 6
made such illustrious history for the