The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1886-02-25
TREASURY RAIDS.


TREASURY RAIDS.
The Attempt. Through Pension Bills, to
Capture Soldier Vote"
The figures which are given in a let
ter from Commissioner Black to Mr..
Randall. chairman of the Appropria-
tions committee, relative to the cost OF
the schemes now proposed for Con-
gressional action in regard to increas-
ing the pension list are simply astound-
ing. They afford a striking exemplii-
cation of the thoqghtless way in which
wild plans are mooted on sentimental
or other like grounds, without any con-
sideration of the enormous expenditure
to be thereby entailed. 1t is fair to
suppose that If the data for the calcu-
lation of the cost were within the
knowledge of the authors of such
schemes, and were duly considered in
regard to their ~practicability, they
would never be submitted. -
The inquiry of the chairman of the
Appropriations committee had refer
ence to two points-first, as to the cost
resulting from the extension of time
for fling applications for pensions UNI
der the acts of January and March,
1879, and second, as to the probable
cost of repeating the limitation in re-
gard to filing applications under those
acts. The Commissioner shows that
the cost resulting from the extension
of time referred to in the first branch
of the inquiry has amounted to $685..
873, 972 up to July 1, 1885. In regard
to the second branch of the inquiry he
says that if the limitation as to time
imposed by the acts referred to be re-
moved, all pensions will begin at date
of the soldiers discharge. and that the
result win be an increased charge on
the treasury of $75. OOO, 900, to pay pen
sioners now on the roll; and he esti-
mates that the number who would be
entitled to be entered on the roll would
increase that charge to $780,, 1856, 200;
that is, pension claims would swallow
up, in effect, the whole revenue of the
Government.
This is the gist of the Commissioners
statement. It Is directed with all the
force which a plain statement of fig
ures can command against such reck-
less propositions as that of Nh. Browne,
of Indiana, who desires to remove the
present limitation of the Arrears-of-
Pensions act to January 1, 1886. The
cost of carrying this scheme into effect
would be something over $500, 100000.
If Mr.. Browne had taken the cost into
account it may readily be believed he
would have long hesitated before ad'
vancing so extravagant a proposition,
The truth Island these figures loud
" emphasize tit is high time to cal
a halt in regard to further extravaganI
legislation for the benefit of pension.
ers. No nation In history has acted sc
literally IS urs toward its disabled
soldiers. What was generously giver
it does not now begrudge, but main,
tains and pays faithfully. Not only
has the vast and expensive machinery
of q great bureau been called into ex.
istence for the thorough consideration
Of every Base which should be present
ed, but, lest any deserving claiman
should be neglected, the time 70,
making application to share in the Ma.
TONS beneficence has been amply ex
tended. The money-limit of generou
and grateful regard has been reached
In the matter of pensioning its dis
abled soldiers or their dependent sur
vivors, the Nation has done its duty
Congress has other duties to which it
attention is invoked by the most patri
otto considerations. It is not enoug
to regard the past. It is requisite ais
to secure the present and to provid
for the future.
An evil feature in every new pension
| proposal is the demagogic spiri
which it inevitably awakens. Congress
men vie with each other in PROFOUND
ing absurd plans for increasing per
sions, which, if they were carried int
: effect, would bankrupt the treasury (
the United States. OF course, many {
them are not even seriously intended
and their real object is to ensnare an
capture what is known as the soldie
g vote. But, like all insincere issues, the
exercise a delusiye effect on the publ
mind, and a belittling influence on pr
3 litical methods.
/ The time has come for answerin
: with a decided negative every propos
9 ton to increase the pension charges
, the Government whether the propos
r ton is inspired by demagogism Or co
ruption. Congress has done its fu
duty by the soldier, let it now turn.i
endeavor to doing its full duty to Il
people.-Washington Post.