The National tribune., 1884-05-22
Where Enc ResponsIhllity Rests.

The only pension bin Of general import
ance TO veterans of the late war that as yet
has received the approval of the House of
Representatives, is that known as the War
ner pension bin, which, as we have hereto
fore taken occasion TO show, not only does
positive injustice TO those whose claims are
already pending before the Pension Office,
by excluding them from its supposed benefits,
except on the condition that they abandon
all right to arrears OF to pension from orig
inal date ofapplication, ALPHABETICALLY makes
il no easier for future applicants to obtain
pension than under existing law. That
such is the case has been admitted by bo.h
the advocates and opponents of the measure
Said Blr. Warner, Of Ohio, who reported
the bill, in the course of his speech explain
ing its purpose:
This BILL say. gives TO these claimants the right
70 elect prosecute their claims under tins acl
and that they sips gp tetr claims for
ond ioe pensions only Jon tie dale Of filing s,sc,
declaration.
SAID Mr. Rogers, of Arkansas who also
supported the bill:
IL takes from all however snerftorio,fs any pen
sion for any period Of tisae prior making appttca-
lion under BiS biu.
Said Mr.. Brown, Of Pennsylvania, who
opposed the bin on that account:
II the soldier is to receive any advantage from
this act lac must waive rigllts secured TO him under
the present law. In other words IA order to secure
that which viii relieve present poverty and distress
be faust abandon his right 10 arrears OF pension.
/ We have been told from day TO day that tie com
nlitiee whose chairman Mr.. warnerl has just
spoken were 10 bring bin sfferding the relief
80 plainly demanded by the eouu;ry's defenders
/ I submit, sir, If they do not signaliy fag True
they gave bus they withhold also; indeed. in some
things they take back from the soldier that which
! he already hath. Ii s ungraeious proceeding
/ ana unworthy enjoying the heritage
peTpetuated by the blood and suffering OF tl,ess
pensioners n is question toielicr uscy tooutd no
be injured ptaa benefited By this b!n.
Said Mr.. Laird, OF Nebraska, who also OPP
posed the bib on this ground:
The gentlemen of this committee have shown te
the soldier thai mercy which requires him to re
lieve supposedly honest claim agains. this Gov
eminent for more money. namely, his claim 70
arrears than he can receive during lifetime o
reward under the provisions OF the act. h is TIA
same kind OF mercy the exsoldier OF this eoun
try thai this Government showed 10 those who yger
dying 10 Andersonvlie under lis policy.
So much for the positive injustice which
it does 70 claimants whose applications ar
already pending. Now let Us see whether
I
olerS any yantagest to future claimants tina
existing law does not afford. In regard t
r that point Mr. Rogers, of Arkansas. mad
the following admission:
II win be observed the leading idea upon wiic
tbs pension laws have proceeded heretofore
namely, that the disability was incurred in ia
service. is not eliminated from This bill bnt care
fully preserved IN it, No soldier Is entitled pen
sion under its on; rho did moi become entitled 10 al
reason a Disability incurred seTrsce isl he scd
But if that is tie case, no soldier is enitie
10 pension under this proposed Law who
not entitled 20 it under the present Law
Indeed, its effect lie 10 restrict instead {
enlarge, the pension-roll, as hr. Browne, {
Y Indiana, pointed out. Said he:
The objection have TO this bin is that It resric
/, rather thar enlaases tic pens:on-foil. Tie frI