Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1910-01-19
Washington Letter.
Ed. ADvANCK:-

productive of but little legislative
work on the part Of the West Vir-
ginia senators. All of the time be.
fore the Christmas HOLIDAYS was
taken up in trying to settle the
state federal appointments. These
having been decided on, their
names sent in and confirmed. each
of West Virginia's representatives
is now able TO get to ork.
Senator Elkins began his labors
OF the session by introducing a
resolution inquiring into the high
price OF food products. Senator
Scott followed this with a resolu-
tlon for information concerning Ger.
tain members of the Union army
who are not now on the pension
rolls. After this information has
been secured 1T is his purpose to
introduce a meafare looking to
some relief for these persons. They
are comprised under the heads of
state troops who were not mustered
into the service of the United States.
war telegraphers, army volunteer
nurses and scouts.
For many years it has been APP
parent to Senator Scott that these
classes of persons who served in the
army were not being Justly treated
Not having been mustered into the
service of the United States their
names cannot appear on the pension
rolls. In the case OF state troops
many companies were called into
active service under the command
of regular officers, fought IN more
than one engagement and in some
instances were captured and suffer
ed in the prisons. The same is
true OF the scouts who were en-
ployed and engaged by command.
ing officers and whose services were
of incalculable benefit to these com.
manders. The services Of the war
nurses and of the telegraphers speak
for themselves.
The presentation of this simple
resolution caused rather warm de.
bate in which Senator Gallinger,
of New Hampshire, opposed any.
thing looking toward the recogni.
ton Of these classes. In present
ing his resolution, which is as fol-
lows:
"Resolved, That the secretary
of war be, and be is hereby, direct
ed TO inform the senate the number
OF federal state troops engaged N
the war between the states VINO are
not on the pension roll the mum
Der Of war telegraphers similarly
engaged who are not or the pension
roll
Senator Scott said:
81 desire TO offer a resolution.
and l am very glad that the resou
tons OF my colleague and the
senator from South Dakota (Mr.
CFawford), proposing an inquiry
into the cost Of living, have pre-.
ceded the one which ] propose to
offer, making an inquiry about
another matter. / desire to ascer-
tain the number Of soldiers who
fought during the late unpleasant
ness who are deprived of an oppor-
tunity of being placed upon the
pension roll, whereby they may
get something with which to buy
the food the cost Of which senators
are discussing. Many of them have
not the means TO purchase that
food at the price of today, or at a
reduced price, and want TO ascer.
tain their number and find out how
many of them are destitute.
"There are here today, Mr..
President, 10 senators, of whom
served in the Confederate army and
Q of whom served in the Union
army. / have a report this morn
ing from the commissioner of pen
sions that the soldiers who served
in the late war arc dying at the rate
of one every fourteen minutes.
The ranks are bejRg depleted with
the rspidity kat that statement
will convey to the mind of sena.
tors.
'In all probability those senators
serving here today who fought in
the civil war, on both sides, will
not be replaced by men who fought