New-York tribune., 1880-06-15

unfreduented harbOrs; ana at alnOsC 0FoiJ
session since the close of the war it has come
also in the still grOsser shape OF largess 10 10
the Rows in Blue" The additional bounty Dill
of 1866 added about $68, 100000 to the pubic
burdens. and in 1875 another bounty oil was
nossed (but fortunately vetOed), which wOuIu
have required, according to the estimates Oh
fine Povmaster- General, from %137, 7,OOU,OOO 10
163 900 600, and according to other autlori-
ties no less than 5000, 100000. Defeated LOT
tbe time. the instigators of this monstrous lhea-
sure were not discouraged. They VIII hOC
abandon n scheme which has so much money III
il. and no fewer than eight bills to revive IL
have been introduced during the present seS-
son-fve Of them by Democrats, who PROBABLY
used 70 revile the Boys in Blue during the war
~ I1ncOln's hirelngs." Mr.. Weaver, whom
tbe Greenbackcrs have just nominated Tor
President is the author of still bigger thing
q hlI to Day soldiers and sailors the difference
bctwccn the gold and currency values OF all the
money they received from the United States
an arrangement which he fondy imaGines
would not call for more than 34'o'OoV'OoO'
The pension laws have been repeatedly chanSeu'
with the mvariable result of increasing the ap-
propriatiOn. Two years ago the pension Hs.
bad reached the large annual sum OF
$50. 600 900 or $3j, 100000. A single amend
mcnt then added to it about $2j OOO,oOO III
one payment, and an indefinite yearly lncr aSc
afterwards. The appropriation for the cnrrent
year is SCI 900, 900, and the existing laws VIII
mako necessary an annual outlay OF about
S43. 900, 600 for some time to come. 10
make the story of extravaganza still plcasenter
for thc taypayers, it should be mentioned that
in consequence of the laxity Of the laws con
sidcrabe proportion of this money Is PAID 10
persons who are not entitled to anything. ~
recent official report mentions the dropping OF
q large number of fraudulent pensioners VINO
had all cady obtained from the Government
about ST 900, 900 on false pretenccs.
Another pension hill is now under discussion.
IFS advocates urge that it calls for only
81 600. 600 a year, for old soldiers of the Mex
,can and Indian wars In reality, as the eStl-
mntcs of the Pension Office show, it involves a
direct outlay of at least $G,00O,000 year for
thc class of persons mentioned in the bill. and
Indirectly It's consequences will be simply en0r-
nous. II establishes tho precedent OF pension
inc all veterans at sixty years of age, even
those who have never been wounded or Other-
wi r. iniu;cd in the service, and who are still
| abe -DUuCu anu ColulOlldb N"A"'"0 Wv"
living. About $1,000 soldiers and soldiers
widows would receive relief under this bill ;
and then the same provisions must inevitably
I've extended to the vastly larger number OF
,n,cbodird survivors of the rebellion who are
over sixty years of age. Why, indeed, should
not Congress go further and vote handsome
rcnsion to every survivor of any war; without
regard to aye or physical condition. Never has
Government paid its soldiers so lavlshly rs
we have paid ours since the Roman lcglons
were allowed to pilagc the Empire; but our
nrusion rolls. instead OF diminishing grow hugcr
every wear We seem to be still supporting
more and moro costly army, fifteen yealS after
| the amy was dsbandcd.
! The soldiers, we are proud to say, have not
| asked for tnpSc cXtrayagant allowances. lhey
understand even if the men who mIsrcprcSenl
thr,n in Congress do not, that the service they
rendered their country in the time Of need Is
no, to be valued III dollars and cents. II the
! Nation could pay of its debt of gratitude III
! that way. the diSloyal Democrats would hc jus
tilted in ealing the Boys in Blue " Lincoln ;
"hirclings" The practice Of voting Glauilie'
to fine soldicrS il not only dis crcditable to Con
rrcss, hut IT is an aitOnt to the soldiers ;-aho
we wonder that Senators and Representatives
! who know how mischicyOus tLCsc bills are, nnd
vet alc too cowardiy to vote against thom are
so obtusr as not 10 see what an insult tnrlr tan
| idity implirs to the very men whose favor they
are trying to buy.