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THE NATIONAL TEIBUNE: WASHINGTON, D. O., DECEMBER 10, 1881.
The National Tribune
PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY.
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The validity cf the public debt of the United Stated
authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of
pensions and bounties for services in sufpre6sing insurrec
tion or rebellion, shall nct be questioned." sec. 4, art.
XJV, Constitution of ThE United States.
Xalard t tt Wuhi&ton CStr rcrt-O&e u Moend-lu sitter.
WASHINGTON, D. C, DECEMBER 10, 1881.
Sample Copies.
Some of our subscribers do not seem to under
stand the reason "why they receive sample copies
of The National Teibune in addition to their
regular number. To all such we would say that
the extra copies are sent for distribution among
such of their friends as are likely to subscribe to
such a paper.
We cannot write personally to our many
friends throughout the country who have done
us substantial favors by sending in subscriptions,
clubs, &c, and therefore beg that they will ac
cept this as an acknowledgment of our appreci
ation of their many kindnesses.
The New York Herald of Wednesday says:
"The Porte will send a commission to America
to institute reforms." We suggest that the Turk
ish commission begin its work in the Herald's
editorial sanctum.
The Stalwarts in Congress deserve great credit
in 'electing the adolescent Gospeller, Power, as
their chaplain.
They have shown themselves rich in the qual
ity which he entirely lacks, viz: Christian
charity. This becomes apparent when it is re
membered that Power was the individual who,
in a sermon preached in this city July last,
charged the Stalwarts, by direct implication, with
the murder of General Garfield.
The New York Herald characterizes the Ar
rears of Pension Act as "a corrupt, degrading
system which enables any adventurer who
chooses to make a raid upon the Treasury to
enter his name upon the pension list and take
from month to month and from year to year
Government money which does not belong to
him."
If the editor of the Herald does not look up
the laws relating to pensions he will lose his
reputation as a first-class liar and fall back to
his proper level that of a common fool.
TnosE of onr patrons who receive an extra
copy of The National Tribune, will please
hand it to some soldier friend.
The New York Herald lias given us enough of
its clap-trap regarding pension matters ; a little
common sense will now be acceptable.. But we
have little if any reason to hope for any favorable
change in the tone of the money kings' organ.
It has too much at stake. Meantime, however,
we take occasion to say that the pension laws
themselves give the lie to the assertions con
tinually being made by the enemies of the ex
soldiers to the effect that "any adventurer who
chooses to make a raid upon the Treasury"
under the Arrears or any other pension act can
easily do so.
The Herald and other journals of its ilk know
such to be the case. Hence when they make
the charge indicated above they lie willfully and
maliciously in their endeavors to rob the ex
soldiers of their just dues.
We "desire to invite attention to the advertise
ment of John P. Clark & Son, real estate agent?,
of Mexico, Missouri, to be found on the eighth
page of this issue. The firm is one which we
can recommend in every respect. The senior
member is one of the earliest settlers of Audrain
county, was judge of the court for a dozen years,
and both himself and his son are of the highest
standing for integrity and business capacity. We
advise those desiring homes in the West to cor-'
respond with them before looking elsewhere.
ImwJmiiottali
rjvi J","0' rry.vj
!
The President's Message.
President Arthur's message, the material por
tions of which we give upon another page, is a
voluminous document far more so than was gen
erally anticipated. Its general effect is somewhat
disappointing. It is historical and statistical,
but does not possess the qualities of a great State
paper. Its chief merit may be said to consist in
the variety and number of subjects which it
includes. Nothing appears to have been omitted.
So much as relates to the condition of the
finances is well worthy of careful consideration,
inasmuch as it furnishes in a condensed form a
correct statement of our monetary affairs.
The President's views upon the subject of
taxation and revenue, however, demand special
attention because of the recommendations which
he makes in that connection, viz :
First. That all internal revenue taxes, except
those upon tobacco in its various forms, and
upon distilled spirits and fermented liquors
except also the special tax upon the manu
facturers of and dealers in such articles be
abolished.
Second. The repeal of the law imposing a
stamp tax upon matches, proprietary articles,
playing cards, checks and drafts, and also the
law by which banks and bankers are assessed
upon their capital and deposits.
These two recommendations, except it may
be so far as they relate to the abolition of the
tax upon matches and proprietary articles, are
calculated to satisfy only the rich, and are
clearly and solely in the interests of the money
power of the country. The laboring and agri
cultural classes will not be benefited one iota
by any such legislation as that suggested. It
is true that under our present system of revenue
there is a large surplus each year, but to a cer
tain extent such surplus is merely a fiction.
The Government now owes millions of dollars,
long past due, to the ex-soldiers of the country
which ought to be paid, and at once. Owing
to niggardly appropriations for doing the work
in the past thousands and thousands of just
claims are on file in the various Departments
awaiting the settlement that ought to have
been made years ago.
For instance, take the President's own figures
regarding Pensions. He says: "There are now
pending for settlement 265,575 original pension
claims, 227,040 of which were filed prior to July
1, 1880." And of this vast number he estimates
that only about 15 per cent, will prove worthless,
leaving 193,000 good claims for consideration,
and these, he says, no new business intervening,
" could be acted upon in a period of six years "
with the present force. In other words, soldiers
who have had their claims on file for ten years
or more must wait six years longer for a settle
ment, unless the working force of the Pension
Office be increased.
We think that before any steps are taken to
reduce the taxes upon those amply able to bear
the small amount required of each that a full
and honest settlement should be had with the
Nation's most worthy creditors the ex-soldiers
and sailors, their widows and orphans.
But such settlement calls for what seems to be
a vast amount of money say, in round numbers,
235.000,000 for pensions. What if it does? the
obligation to pay remains the same. And the
sum required is not so very large after all when
we come to consider the value which the Govern
ment received in advance for it. The country is
amply able to pay it to the last dollar if proper
legislation could be had in the premises. That
this is so may be seen by glancing st the finan
cial statement included in his message. From
that it will appear that during the fiscal year
ending June 30 last interest upon the public debt
to the amount of $82,508,741.18 was paid to the
bond holders alone: and that after liquidating
current expenses for carrying on the Government
and paying some $50,000,000 of pension (nearly
half of which was in shape of arrears long over
due), there remained in the Treasury a surplus of
over$100,000,000 the greatest portion of which was
devoted to the reduction of the debt.
We do not complain, however, at this showing:
our ground of objection to the President's recom
mendation is that, while he takes steps to relieve
one, and that the richest class of the Nation's
creditors, he makes no suggestion looking toward
the relief of the other and poorer classes. He
seems to have absorbed the ideas promulgated by
the moneyed interests of the country through
their organs, that the moneys to be paid out for
pensions are benefactions only, and if not with
held should be given grudgingly. More than
this, his language is indicative that he is inclined
to agree with those who oppose the payment of
pensions in toto, that a large percentage of claims
filed are fraudulent. But we shall take occasion
to refer to this matter hereafter, and, for the pres
ent, will only add that we expected better things
of President Arthur in this respect.
Upon the topic of civil service the President
follows in the main the well-worn pathway of
ex-President Hayes, and his views will prove
equally futile when he attempts to carry them
out. The country is not yet prepared for any
such departure from the established usage, nor
will it be so long as we have a Chief Magistrate
elected by the people.
Passing on, we think that the subject of our
merchant marine has received the attention
which the importance of the interests involved
demands. The President strongly recommends
adequate appropriations, and relegates the ques
tion to Congress, asking for its consideration.
That portion of the message which treats of
the Presidential office simply submite a Series of
interrogatories which were propounded upon all
sides during the disability of the late President
Garfield. The importance of an early solution of
the matters involved in these questions is beyond
controversy, and in bringing them thus pointedly
before Congress the President has done wisely.
Whether his suggestion that they have early con
sideration will be acted upon, is another matter,
of which we are not competent to speak.
In closing our brief review of the leading fea
tures of his message we accord to President Ar
thur full credit for whatever it contains that is
really valuable, and have endeavored to make an
allowance for the peculiar circumstances under
which he has been forced to act. We are, never
less, obliged to reiterate the opinion expressed at
opening, that despite all merit which it contains,
his first State papei is, on the whole, disappoint
ing, and will be fouad especially so with the sol
dier element of the country, whose interests we
have most at heart.
Puck's Idiotic Editor.
And now Puck has taken up its arms (pen and
pencil) against thq pensioners of the United
States. It says: "According to Government
statistics, five thousand patriots, more or less,
laid down their lives or various detachable parts
of their anatomies in the war of 1812. From the
same source we learn that 26,000 or about 26,
000 legal representatives of these patriots are
how drawing pensions from the United States
Treasury.
"Now, as there is but one pension to a patriot,
these figures have a paradoxical look at the first
glance. But when we examine the matter closely,
we find a simple explanation.
"There is but ne pension to a patriot, but a
man even a patriot and his wife are one. There
is, therefore, one pension to each patriot's wife.
Now, if a patriot has five or six wives, and each
one is merely a cipher prefixed to the masculine
unit, it follows that the multiplicity of wives in
nowise affects the oneness of the combination.
Hence, a patriot and his wives being one, and
there being one pension to every patriot, there is
certainly one pension to every wife of a patriot.
This logic is guaranteed. We have had it revis
ed by an insanity expert."
The foregoing is but a sample of the many at
tacks now being made upon the Government
pensioners by the ex-rebels and money kings of
the country. The insinuation made that of the
26,000 persons drawing pensions on account of
the war of 1812, the larger proportion of them
are frauds is just what might be expected from
the class of fools to which the editor of Puck
belongs. And the reasoning adpted to estab
lish the ground taken is up to the usual average
of idiocy for which the'editor of the sheet re
ferred to is noted.
Has the editor of Puck been possessed of
sufficient capacity to understand, and a desire to
tell the truth, he would have investigated the
matter of which he speaks, and, in doing so,
would have found that the whole militia
force raised during the war of 1812-15 was 31,
210 officers, 440,412 men; total, 471,622. The
number of officers and men in the Regular Army
during the same period cannot be actually ascer
tained, but aggregated in July, 1812, 6,686 ; in
February, 1813, 19,036 ; in September, 1814, 38,
186; and in February, 1815, 33,424 men.
He would have found, also, that under the act
of Congress of February 14, 1871, all survivors of
the war of 1812 who served 60 days became en
titled to pension regardless of disability incurred
in service; and that under the same act the
widow of any such soldier became entitled to the
same rate, $8 per month, providing she was mar
ried to him prior to the Treaty of Peace, Febru
ary 17, 1815.
The asinine editor would have further found
that under act of Congress of March 9, 1878, every
survivor of the war of 1812 who served for the
period of 14 days, or was in an engagement with
the enemy, became entitled to pension at the rate
of 8 per month, and that the widows of such sol
diers became entitled regardless of the dates when
they were married to them respectively.
The war of 1812 closed sixty-six years ago.
A large number of the men who served in that
war were comparatively young.
A man who enlisted at the age of 25 in 1812
would have been only 45 in 1830. Had he at that
age married a woman of say 30 years of age his
widow surviving him at the present time would
be but 76 years old, and entitled to pension as a
matter of course.
The foregoing is gives simply as an illustration
from which any fair minded person orni see that
26,000 is by no means a large number of pension
ers to represent an army of nearly 500,000 men.
So much for the argument of Puck's crank edi
tor. By the by, we wonder where that editor and
the proprietors of Puck were during the last war ?
The ex-soldiers and sailors of the country are,
as a class, honorable men, and there are- fewer
dishonest men among them when' dealing with
the Government in proportion to their num
bers than among any other class of citizens.
4
Those who. arc endeavoring to defraud the
Treasury are men like the Herald's chief, for
instance, who had neither the patriotism nor
courage to assist in putting down the rebellion.
Now he sets his paper like a snarling cur upon
the men who underwent the sufferings and
did the fighting
Bah !
What Might Have Been.
" When we think of the extravagant propor
tions of the Pension Arrears Act and the enor
mous sums that must be paid to pretenders under
its provisions it is useful to consider what might
have been possible if ex-President Hayes had
shown the courage necessary to veto an accepted
and conspicuous public swindle. The effect of
this act, which was signed by President Hayes
in order to strengthen the Eepublican canvass in
a pending election, will be to take from the
Treasury hundreds of millions of dollars in prop
erty. Now if this amount of money let us say
three hundred millions which is given under
the law to claim agents and lobbies and bogus
soldiers, could have been devoted to purposes of
national improvement, what might we have
gained? This sum properly expended would
have revived our navy; given us ships which
could have encountered the best iron-clads of
Italy or France ; opened the Mississippi River ;
cleaned out Hell Gate ; established forts at the
saliant points of our American dominions ; con
structed a new railroad across the continent;
subsidized twenty lines of steamers instead of
the one which Mr. Blaine is anxious to see estab
lished to Brazil, and founded a national univer
sity at Washington. Instead of these great na
tional improvements we have a corrupt, degrading
system, which enables any adventurer who
chooses to make a raid upon the Treasury to
enter his name upon the pension list and take
from month to month and from year to year Gov
ernment money which does not belong to him."
Editorial in New York Herald.
The Editor of the Herald is evidently looking
forward to his future state. But it won't do, Mr.'
Editor. The Government will never rob the sol
diers to clear out "Hell Gate " for you. Too big
a job, and, besides, behind the "Gate" is your
place along with the other dangerous cranks and
falsifiers. Get you gone to your habitation.
"Put Up or Shut Up."
In view of the reiterated charge of frauds in
connection with the Pension Department, made
by the newspaper organs of the money kings, we
take occasion to say : Congress is now in session.
Let a committee of the Senate or House be ap
pointed to investigate the allowance of claims
since the war if need be, to ascertain what per
centage are fraudulent, and the specific character
of the frauds perfected. It is time for those who
allege fraud to make the charge good by a pre
sentation of facts. They should put up the proofs
or shut up, and cease lying about the soldiers
and pensioners of the country.
The Mississippi Plan.
The following States have thus far adopted the
Mississippi plan of murdering defenseless citi
zens while in the custody of the law : Wiscon
sin, Ohio, North Carolina, Virginia. As the list
of law-breaking mob-ruled States increases
proper mention of the fact will be made.
The New York Herald must have lost heavily
upon the elections or else have made some un
fortunate bets on the fall races ; it is endeavor
ing to rob the soldiers of their pensions. But
even if the pension system be abolished alto
gether we fail to see just how the Herald is to
derive any profit thereby. Have the money
kings made up a purse for the polo journal to be
handed over to the editor in case the robbery
of pensioners be accomplished and the tax on
national banks and bank checks is repealed ?
The New York Herald characterizes all sol
diers benefited by the Arrears Act as pretenders
and bogus soldiers.
The Herald is a crank and a liar in the in
terest of the money kings.
Congressmen don't generally care for much
religion in their chaplain, and now doubtless
they are well suited.
The House now has the Power, the Power has
the perquisites, but the religion of Christ goes
begging for a true representative to open the
proceedings with prayer.
LIPPINCOTT'S MAGAZINE.
Lippincott for December could hardly have
been made more charming and interesting either
as regards subject-matter or illustrations. The
number starts out with a pleasing article,
"Fishing in Virginia Waters," wherein the au
thor with pen and pencil takes the reader
through the wild Cheat River region in the
heart of the Alleghauies; next follows "Through
the Ardennes," which makes the reader ac
quainted with the "Eden of the Champagne"
in France and near the Belgian Border, and
gives glimpses of some most exqusite bits of
scenery as depicted by the artist's touch.
"Some impressions of Open-Air People,"
"Mother Carey's Chickens," "Popular Fallacies
About Surgery," "Crooked Ways" (a delightful
story,) "Tid's Wife," "A Colorado Eonnd Up,"
and a stirring poem from the French "The
Sergeant" with the usual miscellany and one
or two short sketches make up a most charm
ing number.
J. B. Lippincott & Co., Publishers, Philadel
phia, Pa.
PETERSON'S LADIES' MAGAZINE,
The December number of this standard literary
and fashion monthly is fully up to previous issues
" The American Countess," by the favorite writer"
Mrs. AnuS. Stephens, is continued, and the pages
are well supplied with short stories, among which
as being specially, attractive, we mention " The'
Elixir of Life," " How the Boarders Took us in,' "
and " My Cousin Maud ; " That Obstinate Family,"
by Frank Lee Benedict, is concluded. The usual
colored plate, patterns, a colored design for stripe
for a chair in cross-stitch, with illustrations, make
up a most acceptable Christmas present for the
fair sex.
Chas. J. Peterson, Publisher, Philadelphia, Pa. i
WIDE AWAKE.
This charming monthly for December is, if that
be possible, an improvement upon any previous
number.
A glance f,t the table of contents alone will at
once satisfy the most fastidious that everything
neeessary has been included to make up a pre
mium magazine for the young folks.
First, we have "Bob's Father," a short story
especially adapted to boys who love to read about
the sea and of thrilling incidents happening
thereon; then a continuation of "To-Day," by
that prince of writers Edward E. Hale, the cur
rent chapter having something to say of Corn
wallis and Yorktown; next a continuation of
" Sharon," followed by " How Alice Spent Twenty
Five Dollars,"" On The Farm in Winter," "Having
HisOwn Way " (continued), "Prince Puss in Boots'
(a children's operetta, with music), "The Baby s
Escapade," "Hitty's Last School," "Polly Colonge"
(continued), besides a variety of interesting mat
ter in the supplement, a poem,"Griselclain Pound n
by Mrs. Preston, and another "Wee Willie Win
kee," elegantly illustrated, by M. E. Wilkins. The
Prospectus for 1882 is also published, and gives
notice, through the attractions promised, that
Wide-Awake does not belie its name in any re
spect. Published by D. Lothrop & Co., Boston, Mass.
Terms, $2.50 per annum.
DEMOREST'S MONTHLY.
This leading magazine of fashion for December
presents several unusual attractions. First, there
are no less than three fine full page engravings
and a finely executed picture in oil ; second, "A
Christmas Hymn," with music ; third, numerous
Christmas poems and sketches, richly illustrated,
every thing being in keeping with the season of
the year; and, lastly, in addition to the usual
fashion notes and miscellany, there are several
short stories, from among which we mention
" Bunchie's Christmas," " WThat Christmas Brought
Scraggles," and " The Peat Bog." We are also
compelled to mention, because of their interesting
nature, the articles on Sir Joshua Eeynolds,
"The Lost Atlantis," and "Talks with Women."
On the whole Demorest's for December is fully
up to its established reputation for excellence in
every respect.
Published by W. Jennings Demorest, New York.
NEWS ITEMS,
Congress will begin the consideration of busi
ness next week, but it is not expected that much
will be accomplished until after the holidays.
Acting Vice-President Davis has reannounced
his political position. He is still on the fence.
President Arthur took up his residence in the
White House on Wednesday.
The new Cabinet will probably be announced
on Monday.
Mr. John Davis, and not Mr. Phillips, as here
tofore stated, is to be President Arthur's private
secretary.
The defense in the Guiteau case has closed
its testimony.
A bill has been introduced in the Senate pro
viding for the reimbursement of Oregon for
damages done the State during the Modoc war
Several bills looking towards the expediting
of mail service in the far southwest have been:
offered in the Senate.
Congress will take a recess on or about the
21st for the holidays.
General Burbridge, of Kentucky, is being
urged by his friends for Minister to Brazil.
General Negley, the president of the National
Council of the Union League of America, has
called a general meeting of that body, to be held
at the Continental Hotel, in the city of Phila
delphia, on the 14th of December. Distinguished
members of the Republican party from all parts
of the Union are to be present and take part in
the proceedings.
First Assistant Secretary Upton has tendered
his resignation to the Secretary of the Treasur'.
Several others in the Department will, in all
probability, be requested to do likewise.
Several large flouring mills in Minneapolisr
Minn., have been destroyed by fire.
Secretary Folger has appointed Mr. James B.
Butler, late United States attorney for Idaho, a
special agent of the Treasury Department for one
month, and detailed him to take charge of the
Appointment Bureau, vice Lamphere, whose
resignation has been accepted, to take effect on
December 31, until which date Mr. Lamphere has
been granted a leave of absence
There is a rumor that Mr. Dillon will soon be-
released from Kilmainham.
The British Treasury has undertaken to prose
cute Tobin, charged with "treason felony," as
one of the "Irish Brotherhood."
Spain objects to the partiality shown by the
French commission which is investigating the.
Saida massacre.
M. Rouvier, the French Minister of Commerce,
declares his readiness to withdraw the decree
against American pork if America would insti
tute a trustworthy system of inspection.
A fresh outbreak of the anti-Jewish agitation
in Russia is considered imminent.
The steamer Germanic, on her voyage to
Queenstown, picked up the crew of the steamer
Hur worth, which was in a sinking condition
and had been drifting about for eleven days.
The rescued seamen had suffered greatly from
exposure. Funds were supplied them by the
passengers of the Gemanic, who also presented
a purse to the rescuers.
On the 3d instant Captain Brownrigg, of the
British man-of-war London, with ten men in a
steam pinnace, attempted to capture a dhow,,
living French colors and loaded with slaves.
The Arab crew resisted fiercely; Captain Brown
rigg, a seaman, a stoker, and a supernumerary
were killed, and one man was severely and two
slightly wounded. The dhow escaped.
The Dviblin correspondent of the Times says:
"The conspiracy against the payment of rent is
extending. Intimidation. Boycotting, and threats
are prevalent throughout a large area of terri
tory." Six hundred of the Duke of Devonshire's
tenants have decided not to pay their rents ex
cept with a reduction of twenty per cent.
