Evening journal., 1913-05-02
FRIDAY. MAY. 2. 1913.
ARRAICNS CONGREsS AND PRAISES SENATOR
DIipONT

IT NDER the caption "Only Justce-Nothiug More"
the Louisville Courier-Journa pours broadsidc
into Congress for is ngratitude to IT'S sen and land
lighters and members Of their families. lt also pays
nigh compliment TO Col Henry A. DUPONT, United
States Senator from Delaware for the determined fight
he rs making for some tardy justice for the
widew and unmarried daughter of General Fitz John
Porter Who Was the victim of of the fonest
splracics that beamirched the Civil War records In
cdontaly. the Courior-Journal calls upon Senator
ShHoy, OF Indiana, chairman of the Committee on
Pensions. to assist Senator DUPONT IN obtaining tho
increased pension for Mrs Porter for the benefit Of
herself and her dependent daughter The editorial in
question is as follows
More than the Courcr-Journal has had occa-
sion TO doscant the niggardlness Of our excellent
Uncle Samuel in money matters and the positive dis
honesty OF his chorescent offspring, Brother Jonathan
in meeting his fiscal obligations
From tn, beginning Of the Government there has
sat IN Congress some self-secking and more less
bumpous person who, possessing a genius for con-
tradcuon aud the gift Of patience, made II his busi-
to sit long and to cry without the least dscrmi
nation but with loud voice against all appropriations
IL object" He was known and called himself "the
Watchdog of the Treasury
Once upon time the most notorious of these per-
sons was In his seat when Unanimous consent" was
asked for the adoption of resolution granting the
usual pay to the widow Of a lately deceased Speaker
of the House. II happened TO be occasion. The
ball OF Representatives was packed Every seat I'm the
galleries filled The sadness over the untimcly
death OF very much loved public had not yet
huDhiueu lhcrc was something both touching and im-
pressNe IN the very reading OF the mattcr-of-courso
proforma proceeding AS the voice of the reading
clerk ceased there from the the Watchdog
OF the Treasury faint cultural 81 object" He was
drunk-supidly. unconsciously drunk. The speaker
pro tenn paused moment cast his eve over the vast
throng and said Consent is granted" whilst two of
the Watchdogs colleagues led him quietly out of
rear door.
Tn the drama called "The Senator" written by David
Lloyd and played to admring millions by William IT,
Crane the story is told OF an old warrior who had
done priceless and unforgetabe service TO the State
allowed almost to starve for the lack of money Justly
due him but Withheld because Congress refused to
pass an act Of appropriation TO pay him. 10 true
story. In 1914 Capt Samuel Chester Reid. in COM
mand OF the brig Armstrong" fought in the harbor
Of Fayal the British feet transports bringing Pack
cnhams army America and so crippled IA as 10 de-
lay its arrival nearly two months. AS a consequence
jackson and his hunting shirts reached New Orleans in
time to fight the great battle and drive back the
'aders Except for this the British would have got
there before Jackson, and at the close OF the war
have held the mouth Of the Mississippi
Congress allowed Capt Reid to die poor man and
only paid the debt 40 years after his death TO get rid
OF importunate descendant who had canned on It's
trail and made life burden to each and every
Der Of the two houses.
1t is vile and most abominable We give away the
peoples money by the hundreds OF millions where
party advantage may be had But let poor soldier
sailor. his widow. go TO Washington and both
the doors and the hearts Of the there assem-
bed closed tight a drum Heels are allowed
10 cool in ante-rooms until the very shoes wear away
Mo. for buncombe not cent for Justice.
All of which is only to saw woe to him who has a
claim against the Government of the United states
II is only &c repeat that Uncle Sam is a poor paymaster
and Brother Jonathan negectful debtor To get a
dollar out OF the Treasury requires Act OF Congress-
end whilst graft and graftcrs find il easy enough by
pork-barrel process TO draw all they honest
arc left TO starvc they break their hearts in the
corridors OF expectancy.
III
The proposal OF Increased pension for the widow
OF Gen Fitz John Porter is current in point.
and most striking example IL is of justice retarded
By Congressional delinquency.
Gen Porter cashiered and dismissed from the
army Ia 1862 His innocence. after twenty-five years
established and he reinstated His widow IS
now receiving pension OF Si2 month 10 support
herself and an unmarried daughter. The bill to in
crease her pension TO $50 month at the last
session of Congress passed by the Senate after many
years delay, but the House failed to IT, evidently
willing TO show its patriotism and fairness
by waiting until the widow is dead the daughter
grown old 10 take notice before il enacts the bill
II there is nothing in il for "us" there is
nothing in 1T"
The Senator from Delaware, Mr. Henry A. dupont
has done yeomans service In pressing this bill for Mrs
Porters relief A soldier himself, being graduate o
the West Point Military Academy. Col DUPONT has
pecial for syD'pathizing with the family of
brave and accomplished officer deeply wronged ans
long suffering
The story of Gen Fiiz John Porter is indeed a SAT
He a distinguished soldier of the regula
OF Grant and Lee Sherman and Thomas, his service
Including both the Mexican and sectional wars. Dur
Ing the former war he wounded in the heroic as
saulf upon the Belen Gate Of the City OF Mexico. Ii
the latter he served with gaantry until m
autumn OF 1889 when he dismissed from the arm
result OF unjust accusations that he had not don
bis full duty in the second battle of Bull Nhcr
the Fifth corps lost in single hour'i time quite NV
thousand cne-thrd Of it's entire force. The con