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THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE: WASHINGTON, D. 0., THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1883.
-The National Tribune.
(Established 1S77.)
' TO CAM FOR HW HO HAS BOfWiE THE S.TTtI, AN3 FOR
HIS WMW AND ORPHANS." ABRAHAM LlfcCOLN.
"the vauwty of thc pubuc debt of the United
States, authorized by law, including dests incurred for
paymtkt of pensions and bounties for services ik 8up
pressing insurrection or rebeu.ion, shall not be ques
twheo." Sec. , Art. XIV, Constitution of the Uniteo
States.
" i o00er it thc astest paper devoted to the inter
ims of the soldier published in the country. ! earnestly
C0MtJD IT TO Alt COWADCS OF THC ORDER."
Paul.VanDervoort,
CoMiMNKK-ih-Cmer, G. A. R.
PUBLISHED WEEKLY.
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The National Tribone.
I.,, .. .. ... - - .I-.-
.WASHINGTON, D. a, JANUARY 11, 3SS3.
The nwnber of subscriptions to Tire NA
TIONAL TitiBUNj; received during the week
end ing yesterday, January lQHt, was 15055.
- 1 t 1 '
CoBEEsroxDEXTS "will please bear in
mind that to insuro typographical accuracy
proper names should he written in a hold,
legible hand. The intelligent compositor
can guess at the rest, of course.
- - - 1 . o " '
Let the internal revenue taxes alone! No
true friend of the soldier will vote to further
enrich thc banks and manufacturing mo
nopolies so long as thc 40 and Equalization
of Bounties bills remain unacted upon.
Wixbre can you find more Grand Army news
from every lart of the country than in this paper?
Crratid Army Scout and Soldiers' Mail.
In Trie National Tjiibune, comrades
about eix times more, and for one dollar,
instead of one dollar and a half, per year.
The number of pension certificates issued
"during the week ondiug yesterday, January
10th, was as follows: Original, 633; in
crease, 190; re-issue, 55; restoration, 21;
duplicate, 35: accrued pensions, 31; total,
9G5.
The Senate did not hesitate to pass the
bonded whisky bill, which virtually
makes a present to the distillera of two
years' interest on $80,000,000 of taxes due,
and will probably lead to the remission of
the taxes themselves, while the $-10 pension
bill has not even been reported from the
committee as yet. Was it tbe ex-soldier or
the distiller who put down the rebellion ?
The bill extending the bonded period of
whiskyfor two years longer passed theSenate,
on the 4th inst, by a vote of 23 yeas to 20 nays.
Should it pass the House and become a law,
the effect will be to make a present to the
distillers of the interest on 80,000,000 the
amount of the taxes that otherwise would
be due on whisky now in bond and, in the
event of the repeal of the internal revenue
taxes within the next two years, to make
them a present of the principal also a sum
ample to meet the requirements of the
Equalization of Bounties Bill. A more
shameful piece of legislation was never pro
jected, and except on tho poor plea that to
collect these taxes now would bankrupt tho
distillers, no one has ventured to justify it.
The fact is, that the original extension of
the bonded period was simply a clever trick
on tbe part of the whisky ring to escape
taxation on the excess of their product over
the normal demand, and tho object of this
additional extension is to enable them to
reap the benefit of the expected repeal of
the tax. It is a job, as we have said, to rob
the Treasury, first, of two years' interest on
$80,000,000 and ultimately of the principal
itself, and its passage by the House will be
little better than downright stealing.
In another column will be found a series
of interesting interviews with the members
of the Senate Pension Comndtlce in regard
to tbe bill increasing the pensions of one
armed and one-legged soldiers toforty dollars
per month. The majority, we regret to say,
appear to be opposed to tho measure, not
because there is any question as to its merits,
but because they imagine that public senti
ment, as reflected by certain unscrupulous
newspapers, is opposed to it. In other
words, the senseless and malicious news
paper clamor against pensions, to which
The Tjjibune recentty called attention, has
intimidated them, and Ihey seem disposed
to falter in their duty to our ex-soldiers.
It does not follow, of course, that tho bill
will bo rejected by the Senate should the
majority report of the Committee be adverse
10 its passage, for men of tho Logan and
Voorhees stamp are not to be driven from thc
fiald by the mere yolling of thc enemy, but,
unquestionably, the outlook is not as favor
able as has hitherto been supposed, and our
readers will now understand why it is that
The Tribute has been so urgent in' its
appeals to tho cx-soldiors of the country to
organize for tho enforcement of their rights.
If they would turn tho tables 011 their
taiemies, they must make up their minds
fit, to vote against every candidate for
political honors who is not pledged to their
cause; second, to withdraw their patronage
from every newspaper which is opposed to
pensions, and, third, to concentrate their
strength in the support of some great journal
on whose fidelity they can rely. They must
meet the opposition on even terms and over
come it with its own weapons.
Forgotten.
"Are wo so soon forgotten when we aro
gone," sighed poor Kip Van "Winkle, re
turning after his twenty years sleep in the
heart of the Kaatskills to find that no one in
all the village of Falling Water still remem
bered him, and that, we fancy, is the
cry of despair that would go up from the Na
tion's heroes, who these twenty years have
been sleeping beneath the sod, could they
revisit at this late day the scene of their sac
rifices. What would they find? Their comrades
in arms who survived the struggle enjoying
the just reward of valor aud revelling in the
bounty of a grateful Government ? That is
what they would naturally expect to find.
What would they find? The public offices
filled by men whose fidelity to tho Govern
ment had been tested on the field of battle?
That is what they would naturaUy expect
to find.
What would thej'find? The widow and tho
orphan of the soldier tenderly cared for and
protected as the wards of the Nation ? That
is what they would naturally expect to find.
What would they find? The patriotism
and self-sacrifice of the Union soldier held
up to the rising generation as a bright and
imperishable example for it to emulate?
That is what they would naturally expect
to find.
What would they find ? The press of the
country, once so eloquent in its eulogy of
the soldier, still invoking tho gratitude of
the country in behalf of its defenders?
That is what they would naturally expect
to find.
What would they find? The bondholder,
whoso claim upon the Government was
made good at such an awful sacrifice
of human life, demanding equal recognition
of the soldier's claim? That is what they
would naturally expect to find.
Alas, no! They would find none of these
things; but, instead, such a state of affairs
as might well make them cry out with poor
Kip Van Winkle, " Are we so soon forgotten
when we are gone ? "
What would they find? Thousands of
their old comrades in arms struggling with
poverty and disease and the files of the
Pension Oilicc still loaded down with unad
judicated applications. That is what they
would find.
What would they find ? The public offices
filled with political favorites to the exclusion
of needy and deserving veterans. That is
what they would find.
What would they find? The widow
wearing out soul and body in the brave en
deavor to earn a livelihood for her fatherless
family. That is what they would find.
What would they find? The patriotism
and self-sacrifice of the Union soldier held
up to thc rising generation as a mere cover
for pension raids on the Treasury. That is
what they would find.
What would they find? The pres3 of tho
country caricaturing the soldier as an in
satiable glutton and demanding the repu
diation by the Government of his claims
upon it. That is what they would find.
What would they find ? The bondholders,
no longer concerned about the solvencv of
the Government,inlenton securing the repeal
of the taxes necessary to produce the revenue
required for the payment of pensions. That
is what they would find.
Three hundred aud four thousand three
hundred and sixty-nine men laid down their
lives to preserve this Kepublic. Is it pos
sible that twenty years have sufficed to blot
out all remembrance of their sublime devo
tion? We cannot believe it; yet, if they
could speak, would not their curse fall upon
the monsters of press and politics who, in
defaming the living,have defiled thememory
of thc dead?
An Kxamplo for All Posts to Follow.
Wo have frequently taken occasion to
invito the co-operation of our comrades of
tho Grand Army in the work not only of
extending the circulation of The Tkiijuxe
but in gathering Grand Army news for pub
lication in ita columns, but hitherto the
response to this invitation has not been as
general as we could have wished. We aro
glad to see, however, that our comrade3 are
at last manifesting an active interest in the
matter. A lettor from Comrade M. M. Tar
bell, Adjutant of Kearney Post, No. 48, of
East Wallingford, Vermont, informs us that
at a recent meeting that Post appointed an
agent for The Tiuuune, and also detailed
one of its members to act as correspondent
and forward to this journal, from time to
time, such items of news as seemed likely to
be of interest to the members of the Grand
Army generally. This is a long step in the
right direction, and we earnestly commend
tho example of Kearney Post to every Post
in the country.
It is a very simple matter for a member of
any Post to furnish TnE Tkiiiune with
regular reports of all important events that
transpire at its meetings, but what is every
body's business, as we have frequently said,
is practically nobody's business, and Kearney
Post has set an excellent example by ap
pointing one of its members to act as The
Tribune's correspondent
It is the wish alike of Commander-in-Chief
Van Dcrvoort and the editor of The Trib
une that our weekly record of Grand
Army news should be as full and complete
as possible, and wo trust that our comrades
will cordially co-operate with us to that end.
The Tribune is the only newspaper which
attempts to cover tho entire territory occu
pied by the Grand Army, and that territory
is so vast that it must of necessity look to
individual Posts and individual members of
Posts for aid in the collection and transmis
sion of reports. There should be an agent
and correspondent of The Tribune in every
one of the two thousand odd Posts of the
Order, and we hope ere long to receive notice
from each ouo that the appointment has
been made. Hand in hand, let us build up
the Grand Army and tho circulation of The
Tribune.
Our Premium Awnrdfl.
In September last The Tribune made a
special offer of ten money premiums, rang
ing in value from ten to twenty-fivo dollars
each, to be awarded for tho ten largest clubs
of new subscribers obtained prior to Janu
ary 1st of the present year. As a result of
that oiTer, quite a brisk competition sprang
up among our club raisers aud the contest
waxed so warm as to require the "official
returns" to decide it. Every county has
at last been "heard from," however, and tho
count shows the following to be thc success
ful canvassers :
First prize, $25 G. W. Tarklcson, Middietown,
Indiana, 111 subscribers.
Second " $20 A. D. Launder, Zancsvillo,
Ohio, 93 subscribers.
Third " $17 William O'Connor, Attleboro
Mass., GG' subscribers.
Fourth " $16 Ch:is. U. Allison, Springfield,
Mass., G5 subscribers.
Fifth " $15 Post Watson, Braddock, Pa.,
Gl subscribers.
Sixth " $11 J. A. Baugbman, Washington,
Iowa, 51 subscribers.
Soventh" $13 Thos. J. Clark, Conncrsville,
Indiana, 53 subscribers.
Eighth" $12 William Blundcll, Chetopa,
ft Kansas, 46 subscribers.
Ninth $11 C. D. Oyster, Carthago, Ver
mont, 43 subscribers.
Tonth " $10 Lovi Grim, Grconfiold, Penn-
sj-lvania, 42 subscribers.
A draft for the amount due has already
been forwarded to each of the lucky winners,
and it is scarcely necessary to add that our
best wishes go with it.
To those who worked faithfully for these
prizes, but fell short of the number neces
sary to success, some special acknowledge
ment is also due. We find by reference to
our record of "Tribune clubs" that during
the period of this competition one hundred
and eighty-two persons sent in clubs of not
less than ten nor more than twenty; twenty
seven not less than twenty nor more than
thirty; nine not less than thirty nor more
than forty, while ten sent in clubs exceeding
the last named figure, making a total of two
hundred and twenty-eight persons who sent
us clubs of ten and upwards. As tho num
ber of subscriptions which these clubs ag
gregated was 3,173, it will be seen that
the average approximated fourteen subscrip
tions for each canvasser.
We give the record thus in detail because
it shows how much can bo done by a com
paratively small number of determined, en
ergetic subscribers! towards increasing the
circulation of The Tribune, and because,
furthermore, wo believo it is within the
power of nearly every one of our readers to
do as Avell. These two hundred and twenty-1
eight canvassers enjoyed no unusual ad
vantages. The majority resided in small
towns and sparsely-settled communities,
and it was tho thoroughness' with which
they gleaned the field rather than the size
of the field itself which was thc secret of
their success. Compared with such a field
as is offered at Toledo, for instance, where
one Grand Army Post Forsyth alone
musters nearly six hundred members, theirs
was an uninviting territory, yet it seems to
be universally the case that tho weaker the
soldier community tho more resolute and
zealous arc its workers.
And now, comrades, what have you to say
to this showing? Is it possible that the
work of building up the circulation of The
Tribune is to be left to a few huudred out
of tho many thousands whose name3 are
already on tho subscriptiou rolls? Surely,
that is not soldierly. That is not standing
shoulder to shoulder, as in the brave days of
old. Come, let us make this new campaign
in tho true army fashion, with solid ranks
and perfect alignment. The bugle has
sounded tho charge; it is too late to draw
back.
Ladle..' Auxiliary Societies.
Elsewhere in our columns this week will
be found a very interesting letter descriptive
of the origin and work of tho Ladies' Society,
auxiliary to Forsyth Post, of Toledo, Ohio,
for which wo are indebted to its estimable
president, Mrs. Isaac Ii. Sherwood. Wo
print it in the hope that it may lead to tho
establishment of similar societies in connec
tion with every Post which has so far failed
to avail itself, in this practical way, of tho
aid of the loyal women of tho land. Our
comrades have need of their help now almost
as much as during those never-to-be-forgot-lon
days when tho hospitals were crowded
with the sick and wounded, and tho bravery
of our soldiers was only equalled by the
devotion of their nurses, and they should
not disdain to seek it. Wherever there is
suffering to bo allayed, poverty to bo re
lieved, or grief to be consoled, thcrewoman's
loving ministrations must ever be welcome,
for no eyes are eo kceu as hers to discern
distress, no sympathy so pure and tender,
no charity so broad and practical. Without
her active co-operation, indeed, no Post of tho
Grand Army can hope to fully accomplish
tho object of ita existence To meet the de
mauds upon it for tho relief of the disabled
comrades and the helpless widow and or
phan, it must of necessity havo recourse at
times to extraordinary means of replenishing
its treasury, and it goes without saying that
her aid is essential to the success of fairs
and concerts and public entertainments gen
erally given for that purpose. That, however,
is puroly a mercenary view of the question.
The larger and better reason for invoking her
presence is tho beneficent influence which it
must have upon tho Order itself in tho
widening of its usefulness and the ennobling
of its sympathies. Tho Grand Army should
make woman its help-meet.
Tlio Itepuhlic as a Ilcpmlintor.
The Tribune, as ita readers well know,
has always contended not only that the
funded debt of the United States should be
paid to the last dollar, but that all other obli
gations involving tho honor of the Govern
ment should be discharged to tho uttermost
penny. It must be confessed, however, that,
except in tho matter of tho public debt,
Congress has displayed a singular lack of
concern for the honor of the Kepublic, and
by failing to make provision for the pay
ment of equitablo claims has nioro than
once placed it in the attitude of a repudiator.
Our ex -soldiers aro not tho only victims of
its improvidence, nor is thi3 generation tho
only one which has suffered from its neglect.
In one instauce, at least, a claim against the
United States has been pending in Congress
for more than half a century, and although
a bill providing for its payment has been
twico passed by tho Senate and once by
the House aud its equity been repeatedly
affirmed by the highest authorities, it re
mains to this day unsettled. The claim to
which we refer is that of Margaret G. Meade,
administratrix of Kichard W. Meade, and its
history is briefly as follows :
Kichard W. Meade, a Philadelphia mer
chant, in 1804 removed to Cadiz, Spain,
where he engaged in large commercial
transactions, and in the conroO of his busi
ness furnished provisions to tho Spanish
government during a foreign war in which
it had engaged. On pressing his domand
for payment, in 181G, he was arrested and
imprisoned, but at tho instance of the United
States Government was finally released. He
then applied to the Spanish government for
tho settlement of hi3 claim, and the latter
proposed to indemnify him by ceding to
him certain lauds in Florida, at that timo
a part of tho Spanish possessions. A treaty,
however, was pending between Spain and
this Kepublic for the cession of Florida to
the latter, and Mr. Meado was advised by the
President that the proposed grant to him
would not bo recognized by this Govern
ment. Tho treaty bound the United States
to pay all claims of American citizens on
Spain to tho extent of $5,000,000, but it
failed of ratification, aud subsequently Mr.
Meade's claim was adjudicated by a Spanish
junta, and ho was awarded a certificate of
indebtedness, approved by the King himself,
to the amount of ?373,879.SS. The State
Department at Washington was duly noti
fied of this award and Mr. Meade was offi
cially congratulated on the result. The
question then came up as to the manner
of payment, and tho Spanish Cortes notified
the American Minister at Madrid that it
would ratify the still-pending Florida treaty
only on tho condition that this claim shonld
be specifically included among those which
this Government engaged to become re
sponsible for. To this condition the Ameri
can Minister assented, and the treaty was
accordingly ratified. Congress shortly after
appointed a commission, to pass upon the
claims, and Mr. Meade duly laid his papers,
including a certified copy of the Spanish
junta's award, before it. Six months later,
however, it demanded the origiual vouch
ers, still in tho possession of the Spanish
government, and Mr. Meade, by virtue of a
provision in tho treaty obligating Spain to
furnish such evidence on demand, made ap
plication, through tho State Department, for
tho papers. Owing to tho temporary ina
bility or neglect of the Spanish government
to comply with this demand, tho vouchera
were not forthcoming beforo tho life of tho
commission oxpired, and on tho ground that
sufficient evidence had not been furnished
it disallowed the claim and adjourned,
thereby cutting off Mr. Meado from all
benefit by the treaty, notwithstanding that
the payment of his claim by tho United
States Government had been made the solo
condition of tho ratification of the treaty
by the Spanish Cortes, and that it was
through no dereliction of duty on his part
that tho evidence unnecessarily demanded
by the commission was not submitted prior
to the conclusion of its sittiug.
A mora glaring piece of injustice than
this it would be difficult to find in the history
of tho Kepublic, and it is almost incredible
that such a stain should have so long been
permitted to remain upon the national honor.
Yet, as wo havo said, Congress after Congress
haa shirked tho responsibility for its pay
ment, and it is to-day still pending in the
National Legislature. Mr. Meade, the orig
inal claimant, who was one of the most
illustrious Americans of his day, died fifty
years ago, and his heirs, of whom the late
General Meade who added fresh lustre to
tho family name by his gallantry in the war
of tho rebellion was one, have been com
pelled to battle single-handed for that
recognition by tho Government which it
should long ago have granted of its own
free will.
Is it not shameful is it not monstrous
that a great and rich government such as
ours should bo condemned by the inaction
of Congress to pose beforo tho world as a
repudiator of tho most sacred and inviolable
obligations? No wonder that our ex-soldiers
grow sick at heart, and threaten to shake oil'
all party fetters in their disgust at the re
creancy of the people's representatives.
.. .1, - . 1 ,
A subscriber sends us the following ex
tract from an editorial in tho columns of the
New York Examiner, a religious newspaper,
and on that account, ouo would suppose,
peculiarly amenable for any breach of the
commandment against bearing false witness :
"Talk about exee-slvo revenue tho pension
buainesa will lulco care of that presently. Coni
nmioncr Dudley euya tho estimates of the amount
needed next year ($101,500,01)0) will not ho sullleient,
and tho pension-roll is growing all the time. The
luti-btMiKKytttinn Is that n pension bill hemtioduced
In behatt of thoc who did not ko to war because
they wtro infants at the time, but who will now
swear they would havo fjono had they bm old
enough. Thi-j is good, to far na it goes, but ought
it not to bo made to include their children also'.' "
Commenting on this decidedly unchristian
slander, our correspondent remarks that after
reading it he concluded it wa3 not his duty
to subscribe for the Examiner, notwithstand
ing tho request of "a good deacon" to do so.
Wo commend his example to our comrades
generally. No paper, whatever its preten
sions to piety, that thus defames the Nation's
defenders is deserving of their support.
THE FORTY DOLLAR BILL.
Sentiment of tho Senate Pensions Commit
tee An Adverse Keyort Probable.
Tho Senate Committco on Pensions did not
report this week upon tho bill to grant $-10 t,
month to soldiers who had lost an arm or a
leg. The committee is having great difficulty
with tho bill, owing to the widely divergent
opinions entertained with reference to it. The
four Democratic Senators, Jackson of Tennes
see, Camden of West Virginia, Slater of Oregon
and Burrow of Georgia, are solidly arrayed in
opposition to tho measure. Senators Piatt of
Connecticut, and Blair of New Hampshire,
doubt tho feasibility of a general law of this
character, and while not hostile to tho interest
of the soldiers, as in the case of tho first four
named, can hardly be counted upon as in favor
of the bill. Tho chairman, Senator Mitchell,
is ab'cnt from tho city, owing to thc illness of
his children who have been attacked by diph
theria. Appearances now indicate that the majority
report will be adverse to the bill. The minority
will present a favorable report, however, so
that the question will ho brought into tho
Senato for disposition. There is a very general
dosire upon thc part of the members of tho
committco at least to have tho proposition de
bated aud acted upon. Its fato in the Sanato
is, of course, problematical, hut it is not im
probable that it may pass because, ou the
Democratic side. Senator Voorhees is a staunch
supporter of the measure.
Below will be found interviews with aovaral
members of thc committee, which will servo to
indicate tho dili'erent shades of opinion enter
tained upon the subject.
Senator Piatt of Connecticut was asked what
ho thought of the hill to grant a pension of $10
a month to soldiera who had lost an arm or a
leg in the lato war.
Ho said: "This thing has given mo more
trouble than almost any bill I havo had to do
with since I havo been on tho Pensions Com
mittee. There aro a good many difficulties in
connection with it. The trouble is with tho
principle. We should not undertake to tinker
at our pension laws aud fix them up by piece
meal, but whenever radical chango is to bo
made, we should go clear through and make
over thc ratings so as to keep them uniform
and not do injustice to any one, as is liable to
happen through these fragmentary and irregu
lar alterations. In this caao the question is,
what to do with tho 'equivalents?' It is appa
rently unjust to pass a law giving a man $-10 a
month who has suffered an amputation, when
to another who is equally disabled and is now
receiving the Fame pension we givo no increase
at all. Still tho men who have lost an arm or
a leg -have an organization which is pushing
their case. They are selfish, ot course, and aro
trying to keep tho 'equivalents' out, so as not
to load down thc bill. Then, again, by general
law to give $-10 a month to every man who ha3
lost a limb will in tho end give dissatisfaction,
because it will make an increase of $22 in some
cases and in others only $10. If we take in the
'equivalents,' tho bill would entail to the Gov
ernment a cost of about $G,0UO,O00. Without
the 'equivalents' it would be about $2,000,000.
Tho pension question requires more study and
discrimination than will be devoted to it, and
a great deal is involved in it. Wo are not only
passing laws for this year, but for the future.
We may see a time when it will be more difii
cult to meet the demand upon tho Treasury for
pensions than now. We ought to pay the sol
diers who suffered disability of various kinds
in tho war just as much as tho Government
can stand without' embarrassment. It is not
tho question of paying to a man who has lost
an arm or a leg the equivalent to him for such
deprivation, because no money consideration
can make good such damage. But we have to
cousider simply what is fairly within tho means
of the Government when wo take tiio pension
list as a whole, aud every law passed must be
considered with reference to its hearing upon
the cntiro subject."
Senator Chilcott, of Colorado, was asked for
his views upon tho $-10 pension bill aud he said
that he was in favor of it. There was great
danger, ho knew, of the law being extended be
yond tho limit intended when passed. Ho
thought that sufficient safeguards should be
provided to keep it within bounds and not let
it run into a general $-10 pension to everybody.
Still ho was in favor of the bill to give this
amount to soldiers who had lost ax arm or a leg.
Senators Jackson, Slater, Barrow and Cam
den, all expressed themselves as opposed to tho
bill, ostensibly upon the ground that tho Gov
ernment could not allbrd to pass anymore great,
sweeping pension laws, and also that the mea
sure would cause dissatisfaction and work in
justice to pensioners on account of the dili'erent
rates of increase allowed.
Senator Blair, a member of tho Pensions
Committee, was asked what he thought about
tho bill proposing to givo $-10 per month to
each soldier who had lost an arm or a leg. Ho
said ho did not care to express a very decided
opinion upon the matter now, becauso it was
ponding before his committee. Ho said ho
doubted tho feasibility to mako so great an in
crease as tho bill in question proposed at onee.
and doubted whether it was to tho interests of
the soldiers. There was a great howl in tho
country and tho press about the enormous
pension-roll, and it was declared to be a burden.
In his opinion it was not burdensome, although
large, and no ouo felt inconvenienced by tho
payment of taxes which supplied thc money
for paying pensioners. It camo out of the lux
uries which were drunk and smoked, and out
of India shawls, so that it was a voluntary con
tribution practically on tho part of those who
supplied it. There was a chance, however, that
tho Democrats might como into power, aud
then they would undoubtedly attempt to mako
capital by attacking the pension list, which was
characterized in many quarters as extrava
gant. If, then, there should bo such a law
enforced as tho ono proposed, giving $-10 for tho
loss of an arm or a leg to all alike, this would
bo ono of the first things to bo cut down, and
in tho end tho soldiers would bo left with less
than they have now in all probability. Person
ally ho was rather in favor of granting an in
crease for certain disabilities in preference to
the sweeping advance proposed.
Senator Van Wyck was asked what ho thought
of tho bill to givo forty dollars to soldiers who
had lost an arm or a leg in tho war aud ho said:
" I will go far enough to bring it into tho Sen
ato at any rate. I do not know what is best to
do about it. It is a difficult question, and ono
that will ho hard to settlo satisfactorily to tho
pensioner and with justico to tho Government.
Tho troublo is with tho system of rating; it
should bo overhauled. I think wo ought to
havo a new one. Now, if wo should pass tho
bill giving forty dollars to every man who had
lost an arm cr a leg, some who are now getting
$o(! would then havo an increase of but $1;
while there aro others who would como into
tho $10 list who aro now getting only $3 ; and
men who had lost a leg at tho hip joint would
grumble because ho received no more than an
other who had lost his below the knee. Then,
again, thcro would bo men who had lost their
aims above tho shoulder and another at tho
wrisi-, and ono would say that his disability
was greater than that of the other. Now, what
aro wo going to do about cases of this kind ? It
is impossible to pass a general law like tho ono
proposed which will givo satisfaction to every
body? Thcro aro other disabilities that aro far
greater than thc loss of either an arm or a leg.
Sttpposo a man becomes paralyzed through in
jury received in thc army and is utterly help
less? Suppose a soldier is suffering with con
sumption, or is dying, day by day, front asthma,
resulting from exposure or injury in tho army?
Tiiero may bo thousands of such cases where
tho disability is a great deal moro and harder
to bear than in tho case of a man who may havo
lost only a baud or a foot, and otherwise may
be in tho enjoyment of good health. Still I
am in favor of getting this bill out of tho com
mittee and reporting it to tho Senate, where it
can ba discusstd and somo final action taken
upon it."
The Remington typo writer is all that tho
makers claim for it. Three machines aro con
tinuously hi uso in this office, and they givo
outire satisfaction.
General Sherman's son, Thomas E. Sherman,
who is preparing for tho priesthood at Wood
stock ' Catholic) College, in Maryland, lectured
in Baltimoro recoutly on "Tho Inquisition,"
his mother and his sister Eachel being among
his hearers,
SOME SIDE-SPLITTERS.
What the Fnna7 Fallows are Sayins la tha Kotts
pjpers. New stylo in hair: Barber "How will yen
havo your hair cut, sir?" Man in chair "In
silence." Sotlon Transcript.
Not unlikely: " I don't say all I think," re
marked Brown, when pressed for his opinion of
tho representative of his district. "I should
think you might," replied Fog, sand not bo
pressed for time, either." Bottom Transcript.
Out of tho frying-pan, etc. : Parson (to Ne'er-do-well)
" What's this I hear, Giles that your
wifa has left yon? Ah! this is what I "
Giles "She might do worse than that, sir."
Parson (shocked) "Worse!" Giles "She
might come back again ! " London Fumh.
A gallant reply : Miss Lucy (stopping oppo
site fireplace) " Here's where you and I are to
sit, Major." The Major " By Jove ! a rather
warm place." Hiss Lncy "What! you a
major, and can't stand lire?" Tho Major
" Not at my bach, you know, Miss Lucy. London
Punch.
A mild conceit: How apt tho young people
aro to pick up the jargon of trade. When.
Biggs asked the fair Arethusa to marry him ot?
hand, she pleaded embarrassment and asked
for an extension. It was given her, but tho
love-making business will go right on Boston
Transcript.
Hence these tears: "Why do they cry so
much, pa?" asked the Austin editor's little boy
at tho theatre, referring to the actors on the
stage. " Becauso they see so many dead-head
in the audience," replied the editor, scowling
at tho rival editor in tho next row. Tczaz
Sifiinys.
Mrs. Partington and the judge: " Ara you
tho judge of reprobates?" said Mra. Parting
ton, as she walked into an office of a judge of
probate. "I am a judge of probate," was tho
reply. "Well, that's it, I expect," quoth tho
old lady. " Yon see my father died detested,
and he left soveral little infidels, and I want to
be their executioner." Troy Times.
A wife to be proud of: Bui lard Waterbury
was calling attention to his shirt, which wai
very neatly made aud which he said, with pride,
was made by his wife. " Did sho mako the
entiro shirt?" asked Gilhoolr, carelessly.
" Every stitch of it." " Well, I didn't know. I
heard that sho always collared and cuffed you,
but I didn't know who made tho rest of tho
shirt." Texas SiLings.
A reliable contraband: "Here, Sam, is anoto
I want yon to hand to Mrs. Eaton Mabeley
when you aro sure nobody is looking," said an
Austin society man to Sam Johnsing, colored.
" Yes, sah," answered Sam, showing his ivorica.
"And, mind, don't you whisper a word to a
living soul." "You may jess rest easy aboui
dat ar, boss. Yesterday I fetched dat eamo
woman a letter from Colonel Percy Yerger.
You can jess rest easy about my openin' my
mouf." Texas Sifting.
FOR SUNDAY AFTERNOON.
ALlttlo SometliiE About What is Qolns Oa In tho
Religious World.
Over seventy students were matriculated last
year in the Anglo-Chinese College at Foochow,
connected with tho Methodist Mission.
Tho English Presbyterians are taking atepa
to thoroughly equip a theological college in
China for the training of native evangelists.
It is estimated that over $106,000,000 wero
given for benevolent and religious purposes by
tho dili'erent denominations in thi3 country
last year.
The Bev. Dr. TitU3 Coan, known as "tho
Apostle of the i-andwich Ldauds," where he haa
resided for half a century and wielded a great
influence with tho people, is dead.
Mrs. Simpson, wife of tho Bishop, has pre
sented the Simpson M. E. Church at Long
Branch with an organ in acknowledgment of.
the honor conferred, in naming it after hex
husband.
"Astronomical Christians" is what the Chrit'
tian at Work calls those people who resolve to
turn over a new leaf about the time the sun
enters tho winter solstice. ".Religion," it say.i
" should not bo made a thing of dates and timea
and seasons."
Sir Tatton Sykes, the wealthy English con-
' vert to tho Korr-an Catholic religion, proposes to
build a magnificent cathedral at Westminster
resembling the votive church of St. Saviour as
Vienna, which has been erected recently to
commemorate the escape of the Emperor of
Austria from an assassin's hands.
Tho number of Foreign mission stations of
tho Protestant Episcopal Church i3 143, 3-1 of
which are in Western Africa, 31 in China, 15 in
Japan, 1 in Greece, M in Hayti, and 52 in Mex
ico. Tho annual budget calls upon the meinberJ
of tho church for $123,376.40 to support the
missions during the present fiscal year.
Within the last year the women of tho United
States have given tho magnificent sum of $6&0,
000 for tho spread of the Gospel in heathen
lands. Of this amount tho Presbvterians gave
nearly $200,000; the Baptists, $156,000; the
Congregationalists, $130,000; tho Northern
Methodists, $103,000, and the women of tho
Methodist Church South, $25,110.
At Ogden, Utah, tho Fourth Baptist Church
was dedicated on the Sunday preceding Christ
mas Day. Tho Bev. Dr. Joll'rey went from
Denver to preach the sermon. Paster Spencer
mentioned to his congregation that the church,
had cost nearly $3,000, all of which, excepj
nearly $600, had been paid. Within a very
few minutes the $600 was made up, and the
sanctuary was dedicated, lieo of debt.
PAP THOMAS.
Tho rrcposod Purcliaso by CoBsrosi of s Ssuorlal
Portrait.
JFVow the Louintills Commercial.
Congrcso very properly has in contemplation
the purchase of a good portrait of Gen. George E.
Thomas. This is the first movement made by tha
Government to procure some suitable memorial
of this great soldier, who won tho hearts of tha
American people and gained the complete devo
tion of his soldiers by a rare simplicity of char
acter united with patriotism and military ge
nius. Ho was ono of the few leaders who
approached tho type of Washington. Such is
tho estimate which affection attaches to his
memory. A portrait is a small enough recog
nition of his place in history. An essential
featuro about tho portrait should be fidelity.
That it should he executed in the highest do
crreo of skill, lies in the nature of tho cade.
Tho best kuown picture of Gen. Thomas which
possesses these characteristics is that painted
by Gen. S. W. Price, who served undier him
and eujoyed his personal intimacy. In 1S69, a
year before ho death of the original, Gen.
Price, who happened to be in Washington City
for some months, procured sittings irom Gen.
Thomas, in order to execute a portrait for his
own gratification. Thispicture a three-quar-length
life-size was at onco recognized on all
hands to be a superb presentment of Gen.
Thomas in character and feature. Gen. Thomas
himself frequently said that ho desired to ho
remembered by tho painting of his friend. 16
caused great applause when lent by tho artist
for tho deeoratioa of tho grand stand at two
Reunions of the Army of tho Cumberland,
which organization ordered a copy. Tha State
of Minnesota caused another to be made by
Gen. Price, and it is now in tho State-house at
Minneapolis. This order was the last work
ever dono by Gen. Price, who was stricken with
total blindness something moro than a year
ago. Gen. Garfield said of the portrait by our
townsman : " No soldier of tho Army of tha
Cumberland cau look upon it without feeling
that ho beholds once more the ' Rock of Chicka
mauga,' against which the waves of battle
dashed in vain. You have done us all a service
for which every soldier will thank you." Gen.
J. D. Cox said that tho painting would bo the
historic representative of the hero's bodily
presence The special merit of Price's picturo
is that it was painted from life, and under tho
supervision of Gen. Thomas himself. It breathes
in its very look tho assurance of its fidelity,
having that which is necessarily lacking in
portraits taken from a collection of photo
graphs. It is not unlikely that tho picture by
Uen. Prico will be selected by the committee.
At all events the painting is well worthy of tha
dignity.
Tin Frederickton (New Brwiaeick', Can.) Ez
porter says : " Nofcody can but admiro tho per
sistent enterprise manifested by tho owners of
St. Jacobs Oil in keeping the namo beforo tho
public. It received a big 'send oil'' in tho
IIousu tho other day by tho Hon. Mr. Perley,
who warned his colleagues in tho Government
of tho danger of Bear Killors receiving two
bounties for ono noso ; tho judicious uso of the
Oil causing rspid growth,"
