The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1914-06-02

to the business of the claim as fol.
lows:
Executive Office, Utah Territory,
Salt Lake City, Jan. 9, 1869
I, Charles Durkee. governor Of Utah
Territory, do hereby certify that the
military service rendered by the mill
tia Of this Territory comprised in
the foregoing accounts was absolutely
necessary, and was therefore san.
toned and authorized by me at the
time specified, and that the accounts
are just.
CHARLES DURKEE, Governor.
No one can deny that the State of
Utah has a just claim against the
government for this service; but
the men who saw service are content
to waive their claim for compensation
IL the government will manifest its
appreciation Of their invaluable mill
tary service by honoring them with
a service pension.
These troops served in the neid
for varying terms Of from two to six
months. They were called out by
the governor to defend the people
against hostile Indians. There are
abundant presidents wherein pen
sions have been granted to volunteers
performing precisely the same service.
This service is exactly similar. but
Of greater length, to that rendered
in the Walker Indian War Of 1858 IN
Utah, which service was covered by
our pension laws.
For 10 years have been trying to
secure recognition for these veterans
but have been halted at the door OF
the Pension Committee by the tech
nicality Of a demand to show their
enlistment and muster in or compen'
sation from the United States.
The few remaining survivors OF
those perilous times have formed an
organization known as the Utah 1ndi-
an War Veterans. They meet in
their annual encampments, and, as
they gather around the campfires. talk
Of days agone, and sing the old war
songs. Each succeeding year the
ranks are depleted by absentees sum-
moned to Join their comrades gone
before. But, conscious OF the faith.
full and heroic military service they
rendered. they have not become dis
couraged by delay, and still cherish
fond hopes that the governments will
yet do them justice by granting to
them fitting and fair reward and boun-
ty. They prize this recognition OF
their honorable service as rich le-
gacy for their descendants FAR more
than the actual benefits they will re-
ceive during their few remaining
years.
Under the authority Of a special
State commission, an enrolment has
been made Of all the survivors of
the various Indian conflicts In Utah
in which the service rendered mas
been classified and duly authenticat.
ed both by record evidence and COM
petent living witnesses. In 1911 the
state appropriated the sum Of $4,000
as a measure of relief and partial
compensation to these aged veterans,
and doubtless further consideration
will be shown them in the future.
have drawn H. r. 1445, believe
broad enough to meet the conditions
under which the service was render
ed, so as to enable those survivors
only who are entitled to draw PEN
sions. Any provision requirinS proof
OF enlistment or muster In Or com
pensation from the United States
would effectually close the door TO
those whom desire to benefit fear
that any provision leaving to the sec
rotary Of the Interior the discretion,
unless clearly defined, to determine
the evidence upon which pension
claim could be established would