Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-12-17
for pensions filed, Of which 1884 were based

for pensions fled, IL which 1888. were based
UPON service in the war of 1872. There were 621.-
75i Of these applications allowed, including co.
l7s to the soldiers Of 1872 and their widows. The
s s 5 amonRt PAID tor pensions since 1881 ia
june 80. 1856 Is slsrees NUMBER Ssas e tSsn
has been allowed in any year save since 1851.
The 4ames of 2. 229 pensioners which had pre-
vlousty dropped from the rolls were received
during theyear, and after deducting their num-
per dropped within the time for various causes n
net increase remains for the year of 2l65S
names.
From January 1. 1861, to December 1, 1886, /, oe7
private pension acts have been passed Since,
the last mentioned date, and during the last SEES
sion OF congress. 1854 such acts became laws. 1t
seems to me that no one can examine our pen
sion establishment and its operations without
tally = !
JUSTICE CAN BE VERY NEARLY DONE
to all who are entitled under present laws to the
pension bounty of the government But it is
n ! that cases exist. we'll entitledto
relieve. The really worthy cases Of this class are
snch as only, lack by misfortune the kind or
quantity of proof which the law and regulations
OF me bureau require, Or which, though their
merltis apparent, for some other reason cannot
be Justly dealt with through general laws. These
conditions fully Justify application. TO the con-
ena But to the
the careful determination of the pension bureau
q the merits or to secure favorable action when
1t could not be expected under the most liberal
execution OF general lawe. 1t must be, admitted
OPENS THE DOOR =. :.
to allowance of questionable claims and pressents
TO the legislative and executive branches of the
government applications conceded not within
Inc law and plainly devoid IF merit, but SO sur
they are hard TO resist. suppose it will notSbe
denied that many claims for pension are male
without merit. and that many have been allowed
in this but in prior administrations The useful
ness and tho Justice Of any system for the dis
and uniformity Of it's operations n
1t will be seen from the report of the commits
sensr that there are now raid by the
mates, from the best information he can obtain.
that 5000 OF those who served in the army and
navy OF the United States are now supported in
shsaes a 1 q 9 {has, f s
under the direction and control of the govern
mens Uniy Is per cent these are pensioners,
the late war something like ~ per cent includ-
ing their widows and relatives have been or are
nov in receipt Of pensions. The American peo-
pie, with a ~
PATRIOTIC AND GRATEFUL REGARD -
Tor our ex-soldiers too broad and too sacred to
not only willing; but anxiaus that equal and ex-
act Justice should be done to all honest cInim-
ants for pensions, In their sight the friendless
charity if otherwise entitled has precisely the
same right to share in the provision made for
those who fought their country'u battle as those
better able through friends and influence to
push their claims. Every pension that's granted
under our present plan upon any other grounds
than actual service. injury or disease incurred in
which pensions are increased on other grounds
than the merits of the claim, work an injustice
to the brave and crippled bat poor and friendless
be content with the smallest sum allowed under
the general laws. There are far too many
neighborhoods in which are found elaring cases
sions and they are largely due to yielding in
the pension bureau to importantly on the part of
those other than the pensioners who are especi-
ally interested, or they arise from
SPECIAL ACTS
passed for the benefit of individuals. The men
who fought side by side should stand side by
side when they participate in grateful nations
kind remembrance. Every consideration of
fairness and justice to our .ex-soldiers, and the
zens from perversion and violence point to the
adoption of pension system broad and compre-
hensive enough to cover every contingency and
which shall make unnecessary an objection BILE
volume of special legislation. As long as adhere
to the principle of granting pensions for service
and disability as result OF the service the, al
lowance of pensions should be restricted to
cases presenting these features. Every patriotic
heart responds to tender consideration for
those who having served their country long and
we'll are reduced to destitution and dependence
not as an incident of their service but with ad-
yanclng age. or through sickness or misfortune.
We are tempted, by the contemplation of such .
condition to supply relief, Yielding to nc
one in the desire to indulge this feeling Of con
sideration. cannot divest myself of the convic
ton that # these ex-soldiera are to be relieved
they and their cause are entitled to the benef
of an enactment under which relief may b,
claimed as right and that such relief should b'
granted under the sanction of law, not the in
vasion of it. Now. should such worthy objects O
care, all equally entitled, be RENTED to the
UNEQUAL OPERATION OF SYMPATHY
the s tSsr ct sacs and
The discharged soldiers and sailors of the coon
End will
wholesome law. They cannot be swerved from
Of 9y Of
peril and suffering. nor will they exact as a tes
of devotion to their welfare q willingness t.
neglect public duty in their behalf.