New-York tribune., 1912-01-27
PENSIONS
The Volunteer Officers Bill Now Be
fore Congress.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: AS a reader Of your paper for more
than half a century | have taken great
interest in the Views of national politics
advocated in your editorial columns,
and have, in the main, agreed with them
In the early days Of the War Of the Re-
belion, If my memory serves me right The
Tribune urged young men to join the Union
armies, explicitly stating that the govern
ment was offering, in addition to the reg
ular pay and allowances. one hundred dol
lars bounty to all who would enlist tor
three years or the war, and that should
the soldier receive an honorable discharge
at any period, even so short as three
months, he would receive the bounty
You will note nothing was said about
length Of service, only that the enlistment
should be for three years or the war.
There were many men who served the
full term in tho same company and regi-
ment, but having been promoted to COM
mission were barred from the bounty on
the ground that it required service or
two years as an enlisted man. and the
commission was given in lieu Of bounty.
Was that decision OF the Controller OF the
Treasury just?
Again, It was published. as promise
OF President Lincoln. that the volunteers
should be treated as on a par with reg
uars in every respect Regular officers
who served, II only a single day, during
the War of the Rebellion. at retirement
were placed on the retired list one grade
in advance Of that indicated by their COM
mission, but so far not one line of legis-
lation has favored the volunteer officers,
Is such neglect just?
| have watched very carefully 10 see
where The Tribune stood in these dues-
tions and have failed in my search. | have
noticed. though. that The Tribune has op-
posed every bill introduced for the benefit
OF Union soldiers, or II not in direct OPP
position has damned IL with faint praise. y
II / am mistaken in this, I would be more
than glad TO see any editorial ever pub
iished in The Tribune favoring pension
to veterans OF that war. On the contrary.
the gross amount paid out for pensions.
fattened as 1t is by all private bills for
individuals. for widows OF officers and
others. many of them already in posses
sion of considerable wealth, has been ex-
plotted as though the entire amount was
paid by an exceedingly generous govern
ment to its old soldiers OF that war, which
is far from being in accordance with the
facts. These men gave the best four years
Of their lives to the maintenance OF that
government under which so much pros
perity has come to our country, and upon
their return and seeking employment
were met by the statement that employers
wanted men with experience right along
in their business, and were afraid that
army llfo had engendered habits uniting
the applicants for business.
Now, we old soldiers want TO know just
where The Tribune stands In the matter
OF the pension bills and the volunteer Of
ficers' retirement bill now before Congress.
Does It favor any of the proposltions2 IL
so. what? or does II oppose all and any
further legislation? l trust you Will see
your way clear to n plain statement OF
your position. JOHN HAIEN,
Veteran from April. 1861, to December. 1854.
Brooklyn, Jan. %, 1912