OCR Text |
Show Nothing Doing in Pension Line The following letter is self-explanatory: Washington, D. C. January 20, 19ia Hon. Ed. Parry, Cedar City, Utah. Dear brother Parry: I have just read your strong and touching appeal in behalf of that noble band who wore the van guard in the settlement of Utah. I fully realize the large mtasure of public spirit which prompted these worthy men to freely give their services in defense de-fense of the people at all times of public danger. While I was but a boy during these perilous times, I well remember the awful aw-ful fear that was in the hearts of the people on the frontier, from Indian disturbances. The question of pensioning these veterans is not a new one. It has been before Congress for a great many years, but we have been thwarted in our efforts, by the fact that these services were rendered under local territorial authority; that the volunteers were never mustered into service of the United States, and that their services have never been paid for or in any way recognized rec-ognized by the United States Government. It is a well established principle in pension legislation that the Federal Government grants pensions only to those who wore service of the United States Army, and served under the com mand of officers of the Unitetl States in some war. Enlistment and service in the United States in time of peace, does not entitle the soldier to any pension, unless un-less he incurred some injury or disability while in the service. There are thousands of men who served under state authority as the militia of the several states during the War of the "Rebellion for long periods, and while they have been making every 'effort to secure pensions, thus far Congress Con-gress has rigidly adhered to the principle of extending pensions only to soldiers actually enlisted in the United States Army. " It is true that pensions were given to the Indian War veterans in the Walker War of 1853, but in this case the Territory of Utah, through its proper authorities authori-ties presented a claim against the United States, for the expenses ex-penses incurred in that war, which were recognized and appropriated ap-propriated for, by the general government. The muster rolls which were presented as a part of the claim, were filed with the 'War Department and these men 'are regarded as having served the United States. In the later wars and disturbances in Utah no such claims have been presented pre-sented (that will bear the light of investigation), nor has the United States reimbursed the territory or in any way rec-jognized rec-jognized the service. Herein lies 'the difficulty which we have been up against in our efforts to establish a pensionable claim for ' these deserving veterans. I wish I could give words of encouragement, hut in the present pre-sent attitude of Congress, with jyour party bent upon a policy of the most rigid economy, the prospects are not encouraging. ; df I had the power knowing ns I do, the character of the men, their invaluable service, their HsH public spirit, and their free conr- il tributions of time and means, for ,, 11 the public welfare, they would": lBH long since have been pensioned. BH I may say in conclusion how-.,. I ever, that Utah is not the only ' H state knocking at the doors of, , H Congress for relief for similar . 'BB services, but so far pensions have only been granted on the - H principle above set forth. , We . il have been, are, and will continup . I 1 to be, ever mindful of tho claims rB of these heroic men, and never Hl miss a chance if one presents- . ( 1 . 1'yH jisiilfj2jaf.hr.eJhvU5fcaftU'tj ably rewarded. " M - Yours very truly, JOSEPH HOWELL. lO |