The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1875-08-10
Englisi, Pcnsioiis..

% Our TeduefS KNOW lHag OUT gOFeTH-
ment grants pensions to those who have
fought for the country in the wars of the
past and that large office is kept at
Washington for this purpose, called the
,"Pension Bureau" fl fi@i''''a li25i
Soldiers and sailors are the only pei
sons who receive pensions from the Uni 1
ted States I; but England grants pensions
for life, and even perpetually, to a very
large and various number OF people. In
deed, the practice of granting pensions
grew long ago to be serious abuse in,
that country. They have been given, ip
many, instances, to persons who had no
good claim upon the public bounty and
not only to individuals themselves, but
to their heirs for many generations. Is-
II is said that the number of people
who now draw annual pensions from the
treasury of Great Britain, in sums rang
ing from $3.50 to $4,000 year,is some
1000; and that it costs England not less
than S6,0O0,000. to dsfray these char
ges. f.a big 7o .rga a.slf... p.
These pensions may be broadly divi-
ded into five classes: those given to
members of the royal family; those
awarded for distinguished services in
war, diplomacy and craftsmanship ;those
Fconferred on mere favorites, or children
of kings born out of wedlock; those
given to officials whose offices have been
abolished, or who have retired from the
public service after certain period and
those who are thought worthy of the ia
vor by reason Of literary or scientific
merit.
o. course, in monarchy, the royal
family must he sustained with true state
and dignity, though this is very ex-
pensive matter, and one that is very bur-
densome, to the toiling people The
family of Queen Victoria, not including
herself, receive no less than $700,000'a a
year for doing nothing except to dress
well,a appear as royal folks should on
all occasions. Tue Prince of Wales
gets over 100000 year, including his
allowance as heir to the throne, and his
salary as field-marshal. and as a colo
mel of two regiments. Besides this, he
is provided by the nation with three no.
BILE residences. ,.l -. r.. .-s,,,,,
| The next class Of pensioners-those
who receive the rewards of eminent mil
itary or political service-draw many
large sums from the treasury.aAi pen
sion was granted to the great Duke lof
Marlborough, of $4,000 year, a cen.
tury and half ago and as it was an
hereditary pension, his descendants have
been drawing that amount yearly ever
since More than 90, 100000 has thus
been drawn by single family. The
Duke Of Wellington had pension of the
same amount, which his son still receives
Lord Nelson's heirs have been drawing
a yearly pension Of $4,000 ever since
1906; those of Lord Exmonlh $4,000,
and those of Lord ST. Vincent $4,000
| The descendants of favorites and un
royal children Of kings have been enjoy,
| ing pensions for centuries. Tie Duke
of Grafton, descended from Charles IL
draws a pension of $4,000 year,as all
the Graftons have before him. The heirs
OF Lord Amherst, a favorite courtier Of
George Ill, draws $4,000 a year
Many heirs of old Off :e- holders, whose
offices have been abolished, sill have in
comes out of the national purse, A no
table case is, that of the family of Mr.
Knox, who was a weigh,master of but
ter F; which place being abolished, they
receive about Sc 900 a year, and will dc
so until there is areform of this pension
lsystcm- ,,c., s,..s;.-. o...,..,...r,
Every one who has held an Office in
1.-THE English civil service for a certain pc
lriod, lis entitled to retire with pension
for the rest of his life amounting to hall
Ibis salary. This includes diplomatists
secretaries, and department clerks ant
messengers,
! The pensions granted to literary mer
and women are perhaps the least to bt
censured of all, for they are generally
awarded with care, and to those who ar,
really the most deserving. Tennysor
has salary of $4,000 for life, as Poe
Laureate; his only, duties in this capaci
ty being to write an occasional ode whel
a prince dies or royal princess is mar
ried. Among the literary people wht
receive pensions are Mary Hewitt, Ha-
rison Ainsworth, the novelist, and ma hy
whose names are less familiar to Ameri
car readers The m ,st eminent writer
{ usually derive incomes from their works
which renders state aid unnecessary.