Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-01-23
Pension Schemes.

If the Washington pension agents are
allowed 10 have their way there will be
no occasion fo- legislation to limit the
revenues to the needs Of the government.
These pension sharps are all the time
concocting schemes to increase the pen-
sion charges. II It had not been for them
it is doubtful If the pension charges
would be half as great as they are.
Within the last five years over $3OO, oOO,-
600 has been paid out in pensions, and
the indications are that there will be
legislation this Congress that will so in
crease the charges that $500, OOO, 900 will
be paid out within the next five years.
There is one bill pending that will be
passed, probably very soon, that calls
for more than $25,OOO,0OO year.
1t is a wonder that there are not men
in Congress bold enough TO take a firm
stand against this pension outrage. II the
money voted for pensions all went into the
pockets Of those entitled under the law to
it there would not be 50 mucn occasion
for complaint, but it doesn't. Those who
are best acquainted with pension mat
ters declare that there is no estimating
the amounts Of which pensioners are an
nually robbed by the boldest and most in
geniOus sort Of frauds.
1t is worthy of notice that laws grant
ing pensions are never repealed, There
is never a movement in favor of reducing
pension charges. The movement is al
ways in the direction of increasing them.
Who are those who are always pre-.
senting bills and petitions to Congress fol
additional pension legislatiOny They are
| the pension agents, who are aiming not tC
| help the soldiers, but to open new ave
| nues to nil their own pockets. Some Of
| these agents are shrewd lawyers, who
/ are able TO manufacture plausible pre-
/ texts upon which to base new bills
/ When they see a chance TO create new
class Of pensioners they send over the coun
try circulars pointing out to those inter
ested how they can get pensions, or how
they can get their pensions increased, and
urging them to petition Congress and ap-
peal to their Representatives to favor the
| proposed legislation. Those VINO have
| been put on the pension rolls within the
last half dozen years or more would never
have thought Of asking for pension, per
| haps, if they had not been prompted by
| the pension agents.
There is no reason to hope, however
that the pension charges will cease t.
grow until all who TOOK part in the ciyI
war on the Union side and good part o
their relatives have been provided witt
pensions. The pension agents will never
give u9 the rich field they are working as
long as it is profitable.
1t seems strange that Congress does
not pluck up enough courage to refuse t
cOuntenance any more pension schemes
| The truth is, however, that good many
| q Congressman are rather anxious to be
known as champions OF pension measures
| because they think that reputation OF
/ that kind will strengthen them with the
| ex-soldier element. Their purpose is not
TO save the public money, but to advance
their political fortunes.
Notwithstanding the hundreds OF mil
lions of dollars that have been paid Ou'
in the North Tor pensions, it is doubtful
if the condition Of the eX-Uni0n soldiers
/ generally is any better than that of the
ex-C3nfederatc soldiers, and it must no
be forgotten that besides pensions, the
eX-UnIOn soldiers, as a rule, had relatives
in good financial circumstances to he'll
/ them when they returned to civil life.