The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-02-20
Congressman Tells Veterans
He Supports Graded Pen.
sion Bill Out of Sense of
Duty.
JUDGE COMSTOCK
DELIVERS ADDRESS
Tells Representative Old Sol
diers Appreciate the Work
Done to Benefit Them in
Financial Way.

CONGRESSMAN j. A. NJ. Adair was
waited upon at the Westcott hotel
last evening by Judge d. w Comstock.
Department Commander of the 1ndi-
ana G. A. r.: John Dietz, commander
OF Sol Meredith post; John A. Mark
ley, adjutant of the post, and about
twenty-five other veterans, and was
warmly thanked for the active inter
est he has always taken in legislation
beneficial to those who aided in the
denfense of the union during the Civil
war.
He was thanked in particular for
his work in behalf of the graded pen
sion law which he championed as
member of the house pension COM
mittee. The veterans were introduc-
ed to Mr.. Adair by Mr.. Cunningham,
proprietor of the hotel.
In response to an address delivered
by Judge Comstock. Mr.. Adair said
he had always worked for the best
interests of the veterans from a sense
of duty, and not for any selfish mo-
tives, as had been unjustly charged
against him.
Favors Liberal Pensions.
During my eight years in congress
liberal policy on the part of the
government in providing for the sol
diers of the Civil war;" Mr.. Adair
said.
In refuting the charge that he had
been active in pension matter for po-
litical reasons, the congressman said
The returns from each election in
which | have been candidate for
congress clearly refute this allegation,
for it appeared in each instance that
] would have been elected by large
majority if every eX-soldier had voted
against me-"
Comstock's Address.
Department Commander COmstOck
In his address to Mr. Adair said:
The moral man will think well of
one who treats him fairly, and if such
treatment is generous it excites his
grateful appreciation.
Sol Meredith Post, G. A. R., is the
local post of that organization 1t is
one of the strongest, numerically, in
the state. 1t is named in honor of a
distinguished soldier, who lived for
many years in, and whose ashes rest
H.,
post have been greatly interested in
your congressional career and have
been pleased to notice that when prop
er occasion offered, you have shown
yourself we'll disposed to those who
bore arms in defense of the union.
They realize that the war has long
been over that relentless time is
placing it's limitation upon their in
fuenCe and their usefulness, that i'm
portant current events are engrOss-
ing the attention of the people of a
later generation, and that no one can
be SO deeply interested in the big
war as he who saw and was part
of it.
Lauds Adair.
Others may be different. but with
the eN-SOldier it's memories do not
fade. Time but the impression deep
er makes as streams their channels
deeper wear So when one, himself
too young to have borne arms with
them, but comprehending the magni-
tude and unselfishness of their serv-
Ices to the country. is ready by appro-
pirate legislation to do them honor,
and in substantial ways pay tribute
to valor, devotion and love of country,
a sense of decency awakens their graf
ttude Such one they see hits even
ing IN the nOnOred guest OF great
fraternal organization: and so these
members of the post are here to pay
you the simple courtesy of their pres
ence and show the gratitude they
feel, but can not fully express. Some
of them were with Sherman in his his
torc march, some with Sheridan in
the valley of the Shenandoah; some
with Thomas at Chickamauga and
Nashville. some with Grant in the
bloody seven days of the Wilderness
some witness the ill-time and vain
but gallant. charge OF Pickett at
Gettysburg; some at Libby and some
at Andersonvillc. but all in the line
of their duty did their best for their
country.
"Perm; ne to say that my personal
esteem for you makes my Office on
this occasion ar especially pleasant
one, as | present to you these deserv
ing men. Inasmuch as you have been
kind to them, they give you thanks
and the assurance of their good will
they have little else to give-each one
offers you his hand; take it in friendly
grasp and feel its honest warmth"