The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-01-21
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

banks, Garfield churches, Garfield hospitals,
and Garfield this, that and the other have
been springing up in various cities. All this
is the result of his assassination. Had he
lived to this time he would have been in bad
repute with the ablest and strongest wing of
the Republican party, as the few months of
his administration gave every promise Of
Congress is now asked for an appropriation
fora Garfield Hospital in Washington. When
country the was in mourning for the disgrace
brought upon it by the assassination of its
chief magistrate, the scheme was inaugurated.
Now that common sense is returning and sub
scriptions are not so numerous, the national
legislature is importuned to supply the def
cient funds.
Congress met Just after the Garfield obse-
quies were over, and its first act was the grant
ing of the franking privilege to Mrs. Garfield,
The courtesy extended was small one and
nobody objected, but the law was uneonstitu-
tional and was a part of the gush then so plen-
tiful everywhere. Upon this comes the grant
ing of an annual pension of $1,000 to Mrs.
Garfield which is neither necessary nor lawful.
Whilst this was under consideration some one
happened to reeollect that Mrs. Lincoln MAS
still alive. and then followed bill to gave her
$4,000 as arrearages of pension.
A Garfield fund of over $500, zoo has been
raised by private subscriptions and Mrs. Gar
field gets the lterest upon this vast sum for
the support of herself, two sons and daugh-
ter, which, at the low rate ofthree per cent,
would realize $1,000. Besides, President
Garfield was nc in destitute circumstances by
any means at the time of his death, and there
was an insurance of some 81, o0Oupon his life,
whic. was paid over at once and without the
usual bubbles.
Mrs. Lincoln, too, has very recently author
lied the contradiction of the report that she
was in destitute circumstances and stated that
she had ample means.
Were either or both of these ladies in need
Of aid Congress might grant pensions, though
there Is no authority in the constitution
for It. Under those circumstances, however.
no one would object to, even it they did not
approve of such action. Bat one has ample
means and the other has the income of over
Ss00,0o0 and a good competency beside.
fthousand-doIlar notes were as numerous
as the sands of the sea, our national legisla.
ture could not be more proaigate. They deal
with millions as though paying taxes was Que
Of the enjoyments and pleasures Of rcpuhiicers
citizenship. The expenditures Of the mon
archs and kings Of ancient times would pale in
.-ssl- Il. -. ...,... .-.,....s n, thts
government. And in recent wears much Of II
has been the result Of eNpetkency. \ ~
cent Congress, to catch sAe soldier vote,
passed the arrearges Of pension bill. Thirty
millions Of dollars was thought 10 be ample to
meet the demand. That sum was insight.
cant. aud deficiency hills have been resorted
to to make up the needed sum. Tbs year,
we believe. It X thought that Sls0.a0e, GOO vii
be required There was no Necessity for the
bin at all. Those who needed pensions. and
n.aay who did not, we're getting liberal allow
anees from the treasury Now the people are
revolving al this expenditure. and the demand
is for a repeal Of the law. 4 Republican Con
gress will not repeal Il. That psrty uast hold
the soldier vote f. bankrupss the treasury TO
do it.
This pension business - an the outgrowsh
OF gush and expedieucy The Mexican war
veterans get not cent. Their number Is
small and their votes incoasequeniial. Did
thew number the thousands that the soldiers
Of the last war do, and had IS many votes 10
cast. how quick would the sympathy Of the
politicians 90 out to them! They have ap-
pealed for pensions, bat their votes and IN.
fuence Is small and ibe politicians were deaf.
Another very great leak IN the treasury Is
the pay Of retired srIny ard navy ofieeFs and
supreme court judges. The government pays
al these literally fer their services, and ere.
ates profigaey among them by giving them
ample allowances after a certain age. \ po-
sition IN the army or navy Is very desirable.
aud foreyeTy vacancy in our military and naval
schools there are many applicants, and for
every vacancy on the bench there are many
aspirants. There Is no army in the world,
perhaps, with such proportion Of officers as
ours, and very many Of them are lying around
military headquarters with little or NO service
to perform. In Washington, unless they have
been ordered on duty VERY recently, there are
a number Of army officers whose chief oces-
patton is attending balls, parties and we'd
dings, and drawing their monthly pay. The
hardest worked Of the army and navy Officers
get ample pay, and If they desired coald lay
up sufficient sums for declining years Bni
as long rs the government viii keep them
after retiring they viii not do H. The prac-
ice, for which there IS no warrant in The
constitution, should cease. aud thousands he
saved 10 the tax navers.