New-York tribune., 1880-02-17

THE OLD BOUNTY SCHEME.


Since the Democrats got control of Con-
gress the old scheme for equalizIng the bOun-
ties of the soldiers who served in the Union
armies has occasionally shown a little spas
modic life, and now that Presidential cleo
ton is close at hand, it is becoming vigorous.
The fondness exhibited for this scheme by the
party which refused to vote money 20 feed
and clothe the soldiers when they were in the
field is really touching. Now that the Demo-
Gratis arc short of votes to carry the election
they are the most liberal people in the world,
and are eager to distribute three or four hun
dred millions of dollars among the men whom
few years ago they denounced as " LincOln's
"hirelngs." and from whom they wanted to
take away the hard-tack and bacon that kept
them alive, and the powder and shot needed
to fight the battles of the Union. They
would bankrupt the Treasury and pile
new burdens of debt upon the country in
order to give a gTatuity to men who ask for
none on account OF a service hOnoraby closed
fifteen years ago, IN the hope that the recip-
tents will regard the money rs fee for vot-
ing the Democratic ticket. This is the present
shape OF the equalization project.
There WAS time shortly after the war
closed when the demand for making bounties
equal had a great deal Of support among the
soldiers themselves. Ii seemed unjust that
the men who enlisted in 1861 and served for
three years should get less bounty than those
who Joined the Army toward the close Of the
war. Congress recognized the force of this
argument in 1866 by giving to every soldier
who had received only 500 bounty an addi-
tional 500. While this was not a measure
of exact justice, it went as far as the
Government was able to go, and satisfied the
great majority of the soldiers themselves, who
really cared more for a token of appreciation
toward the men who enlisted early from
purely patriotic motives, before the days. of
large Government aud local bOuntics, than for
the money itself. There was still some agita-
ton for an equalization on the basis of $9 33
per month. but 1t soon lost the countenance of
the better class of veterans and fell into the
hands of small politicians and men who were
professional soldiers in time of peace, but
were remembered by their comrades as OF
small account in war time. or late years the
Democrats have bad the monopoly of efforts
to revive the measure in Congress
The views of The Tribune on this bounty
bill have been so often expressed that there
is no need of repeating them. We regard it
a. n scheme Of demagogucs who have not
particle OF patriotism in their composition,
and whose hypooritcal profession of sympa-
thy for the soldier is too transparent to de-
ceive anybody. No man who worthy wore
the blue asks 20 have the account between
himself and the Nation reODened mt this
late day. The feeling Of every such man is
that no debt A. due him save one of apDreci-
alton of his courage and self-Sacriicc, and
that he Is amply compensated for all he dared
aud suffered by the proud consciousness OF
having helped to bequeath to future genera
tions a free and undivided American Repub-
lie. Ii is an insult to the patriotism and man.
illness of such men to pretend that they are
clamoring for more money, and are eager to
have an exact dollar and cent valuation put
upon every month of their service under the
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