New-York daily tribune., 1858-02-17
.ALADY IN PURSUIT OF A PENSION

Correspondence Of The NJ Y. Tribune.
WAsHISGToS, Jan. 30, 1853.
A letter from our Nations Capital, in lady's
handwriting may lead you to expect another chapter
of that fashionable gossip for which this place Is SO
famous but wish to add nothing to the glowing de-
scriptions Of Mrs. DIS gorgeous beauty, Miss LIS
graceful manners or the costy robes, aces diamonds
or eouipages of the Mr.. and Mrs. X-Y-Z, who
tlrong Washington for the sole purpose of display.
There is among the motley throng of strangers here
small class of persons whO come for anything but
pleasure, whose limited means taxed for the neces-
saries of ife leave supply for costly dresses You
NAV see them with anxious looks in the antechamber
to the Senate with fearful eyes and flushed faces try
ing 10 get the attention OF some Senator 10 tell ther
sad story and their appeals for aid or at the entrance
TO the Hall OF Representatives sending their names 10
some member who has promised to bring their cases
before the House. If YOU wait through the session,
and watch these women, you will find them applying
for writing at the different Departments. Inc little
sum with which they lett home is exhausted; ihs
promises of aid from the Government are not yet iul-
t,ed and they must seek employment to live. VINO
are these women you ask, and what are they seeking
in Washington They are the widows OF those gallant
men who by the surrender OF their lives, purchssed
for their country that vast territory stretching from
the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific, that has 80 noodeu
the Treasury with gold, that Legislators brains have
been taxed Ter the last ten years to know spend
il; and they are in Washington to impore the Gov-
erument 10 give them the means OF existence.
But, you exclan, - they have all receiver Pen-
sions: what more do they ask " All this Is the very
point for which my letter written to give the people
al large through the medium OF your widely cifcua.
ed p,per some facts that they may know whattG say
ON his subject TO the Senators aud Members whom
tley send here TO disburse the public funds Directly
after tie close of the Mexican war General rensiot
bill was passed, giving 10 the WIDOWS an9 enidien VI
those who had fallen in battle or died Of diseases con-
tracted in Mexico half pay, as 1t was termed i1f
Ave years. In reading the bill, most persons would
suppose that the widow received hall az much pay as
her 'husbend did in hs li3ttpe 7? understand what
Is made up OF his pay proper, with communication or
quarters, fuel raions servants hire, horses, forage
&c. The pension granted is half Of the pay proper
merely, Which, for the widow of captain OF infantry
is but twenty dollars per month and the highest PEN
sion paid undertha bill was thirty dollars per month
enough 10 savethe Governmenfrom the Odlous arge
of negecting the widows of officers but not enough 10
support and educate child. Al the expiration. .Oi
five years the pensions were renewed for another hVe
wears, which period has now expired at time when
from the universal financial distress. II Is almost impos-
sbe for men TO get employment, aud stu more u'n
cult for women.
am not very familiar with the proceedings Of Con-
gress but l think sawa statement 10 The IRiBtSk
last yearthat during the closing week OF Mr. Polk Az
ministraton over one million Of dollars had been voted
away it scarcely known for what, and yet these
console nous legislators are very fearful OF wasting
the public money on private claims. Inc usuai
answer given TO us when make personal appeais 10
Senators or Members is, Yes Madam your claim Is
doubtless inst one; something ought TO be done more
worthy of the Government. am entirely in favor oil
continuing the pensions, and even increasing them,
but have really time TO attend tothe matter ! ain
40 pressed with other things, but there Il Smita CT
jones or Brown Thompson. lie is the very man 70
take Lod # this business and the patient 2pc AM Is
passed rom Smith to Jones, and Jones to Brown "no
all tell her The same story and have none ~ ~
any time. l wish they would take some OF .IoIe ;
Saturdays, which suppose, to remind them Of tuei,
schoo-boy days they persist in making holdays anu
pass one generous, general bill for al poor Amy
wdows and send them home with lighter hearts thah
they cane think il would save much precious nm
for do not doubt but every Sesator and Member mere
has lad to read scores letters and receive nuuerou
, personal applications the subject
CoDhnipg the pensions 10 the widows OF tho-e VIZ
fell in battle or died of diseases contracted d1Ie Tie