Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-02-07
Watnhman s. Jnurnal.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY I, 1872.
A Word About Pensions.

Mcssrs. Editors Il noticed that bill had
passed the House fixing tho date Of Pensions at
the time Of the discharge or death Of the soldier
and extending tho time for application u the first
Of July, 1874. In order TO determine as n the
propriety Of 80 amending tho law, il is important
u determine upon what principle pensions are
granted. At times it s necessary tn enlist sol-
ders to defend the rights Of the Government As
m nducemcnt for por.ons 10 enlist, they are in
lJrmcd that they will receive certain amount Of
pay, clothing, and rations, and In case they are
disabled hy wounds. or disease contmctcd while
Ia the service. and in the line Of duty, they shall
receive pension, proportiJned to their d-abihty
MT exceeding certain sum - not ASA mere giit.
but as compensation for the actual injury they
have sustained while in the service and that IL
they die, those dependent on them shall receive a
pension 10 provide for their support. very
large majority Of those who enlisted in the late
war were men having very little, ifuny, property.
Very few who enlisted knew anything about limi-
nliJn as to the time for applying for a pension
No such limitation was provided relative 10 tho.e
who enlisted in the war ol 1872 or in the Mexican
war Those who enlisted in the late war believed
that the Government would do them Justice. il
they were disabled. as il hnd done for those who
enil@'ei 10 other wars
l"ero are Out a 'e" VINO "'e e"''.'e' p" p'"
SON. except tho'e VINO nave o''1'u'' ". '''
have drawn bucs to the time OF their discharge
from the service. II IL soldier Is really disabled
does not justice demand that bis loss should be
made up to some extent by tie Government i5r
Wn't ue u'S s'Uer'u IN ''' c'"'' o' ''''i''" Z
w mus. '''J W. D'''"n "lo" ''' .'"'' '' r''
lei0' re" "ou'D "o N"'''5 10 "e ''"S N'-
''f e'''oi''u' fo''''o' Ousn' no' '',o ",'i1'"
| Z" 'e ei 1"l]ou 'h respectful 'n"hNer ,'''''
VINO e""-'eu '' ''e war W io'e' "'u "V'o u'-"'
n'cu' h"u ueI le"Sl'hS lron ut u''e '' ''
ulsen"'se "hu On Tue 't'n % r'',ua'y, 'o'i'
''ng''9' l'''Seu ''" s'"s l'',''o' VI W
per m'n'h " "e Su''''"'s o' wa" W.T. ""o
-cI'eu d.. 'e"S' H'A,1 N''N' uu' Hu"''' W "' '''".
nllty' lhey Pf''ed theF HNeN ~ the o'urc "'
freedom ana are ent'''eu 10 our srautuue' lne'e
are lew "ho Lave aetu"iiy suheieu ~ 'he in"
war 50 That they are not a'e u PROVIDE com
ioriaoe support Tor themselves ana their i"miiie-'
who have not obtained pension, but should have
1t as compensation Tor their actual suffering
and should they be treated a. outcasts because
they DID not ak rs soon rs the Others d'd IL
pensions should be granted 70 themi stlll the
Government will have saved the interest on the
money. Under the rule adop;ed by the C,mmis.
sinner Of Pensions. the Government il gamer
| in another particular. No matter how great the
disability may be. if the soldier has recovered
before decision in his case Is attained. he can
obtain no pension The Commissioner is yer,
nsrticntar Fail nedical testitnopv il reouir,d
! Z, nr,vc tle continuance, or the disability nm Il,