The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1886-12-09
PENStONS.

OF the government 10 or shall be invested
by the congress for that purpose.
PENSIONS.
The Question or Private Pension Illlls
Receive Special Attention..
The report Of the commits, Toner Of peneif ms
during the last fscal year eays the amount Of
work done was the largest In any year eince
the organization OF the bureau; and It has
been done ct lees cost than during the pre-
vious yesr in every division. On the 18th day
he o. Of he
Since 1861 there have been 1.0is.7ss
applications for peneions died, Of which
3s6. 1874 were based upon service In the war Of
1919. There were 62l. s54 Of these applica-
tions allowed, including $780, 7s to the soldiers
Of 1912 and :heir widows. The total amount
paid Tor pensions since 1861 10 $685. 624. 6l1.57.
the year ended June 20. 1886. 10
$40, S57. larger number than
has been allowed in any year save one since
1865. The names OF 2.a29 pensioners. which
bad been previously dropped from the rolls,
were restored during the year, and after
de- ucting those dropped within the same
time for various causes net increase remains
for the year Of s0.65s names. From January
!, 1861. TO Deccm' er !. 1855, 1857
PRIVATE PENs,0N ACTS
had been paesed. Since the last mentioned
date and during the last seesion Of the con-
gress ga such acts became laws. 1t seems
to me that no one can examine our pension
establishment and it, operations without being
convinced that through it, fundamentally
justice can be very nearly done to al Who are
entitled under present laws to the
pension bounty Of the government.
But It IL undeniable that cases
Aytak 20 eAlfnR In ~hfrh
pension bureau 10 powerless to relieve the
really worthy cases. OF this class are such %
only lack by misfortune the kind or quantity
OF proof which the law and regulations Of the
bureau require. or which. though their merit
10 apparent. for some other reason cannot Be
justly dealt with through general laws. These
conditions fully justify application to the
congress and special enactments. But
report TO the congress for . special pension
act to override the deliberate and careful de.
termination Of the pension bureau on the
merits or TO secure favorable action when II
could not be expected under the most liberal
execution OF general laws. 1t must be admit
ted, opens the door to allowance Of question
able claims, and preeents to the legislative and
executive branches Of the government applica-
lions clearly mot within tho law, and plainly
devoid Of y crit. but 90
SURROUNDED HI eINTIMEEr
and patriotic feeling that they are hard to re-
sist. suppose Il will not be denied that many
claims for penei0n are made without merit,
and that many have been allowed upon fraud
ulent representations. This has been de-
clared from the pension bureaus, not only In
this but in prior admiListra ions. The use-
fu'neas and the justice Of any system for the
distribution Of pensions depend upon equality
and uniformity Of ito operation. II will be
eeen from the report Of the commissioner that
there are now paid BY the government one
hundred and thirty one different rates Of PEN
zion. Estimates from the best Information
have served in the army and navy
OF the Uni,ed States are now sup.
ported, in whole or in part, from
public funds or By organized charities. cx-
elusive OF thoee in soldiers homes. under the
direction and control Of the government. Only
Is per cent Of these pensioners. while
Of the number Of men furnished for
GLIDING their widows and relatives, have been
or now are in the receipt Of pensions. The
American people. with
PArRIorIc AND GRATEFUL REGARD
for orr ex.soldiers. are not only willing but
anxious that equal and exact Justice ehould Be
done TO al honest claimants for pensions. In
their right the friendless and destitute soldier,
dependent on public charity. or otherwise en-.
titled. has precisely the eame right to share In
the provisions made for those who fought their
country's battles . those better able, through
friends and influence. 10 pueh their claims.
Every pension that 10 granted under orr present
plan upon any other grounds than practical
service, injury or disease incurred in such
service. and every instance Of the many in
which pensions are increased ON other grounds
than the merits Of the claim work IN injustice
to the brave and crippled. hut poor and friend
lees. soldier, who 10 entirely neglect d, or who
must be content with the smallest sum
allowed under general laws. There are far
too many nsighborhoods in which are found
GLAZING cAsee Or INEQUALITY
Of treatment In the matter OF pensions. and
they are largely due to yielding in the pen.
sion buseau 70 importantly ON the
part Of those other than the pensioner. Who
are especially Interested: or they arise from
special acts passed for the ben.
edt Of individuals. The men
who fought side BY sioe
should stand side By side when they participate
In grateful nations kind remembrance Every
coneid Grafton Of fairness and justice 10 our
ex-soldier and the protection OF the patriotic
instinct Of ont citizens from perversion and
violence. point to the adoption Of . peneion
system broad and comprehensive enough to
cover every contingency. and which
ehall make unnecessary an Objectionable vol.
ume Of special legislation. Az long 10 We ad-
here to the principle Of granting pensions for
service and disability a the reeult Of the eer.