Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-06-22
sen,ed 70 me many bills have been

approved upon the theory that every
doubt should be resolved in favor OF
the proposed beneficiary. have not,
however, been able 10 entirely diyest
myself Of the idea that the public
money appropriated for pensions Is
soldiers fund, which should be devoted
TO the naturalization OF those who IN
defence Of the Union and the nations
service have worthily deserved it, aud
who. in the day Of their dependence re-
sulting from such suffering, are entitled
10 the benefactions of their Govern
ment. This reflection lends to the
bestowal Of pensions kind OF
sacrednoss which invites the adoption
OF such principles and regulations a.
will exclude the perversion as well as
insure the liberal and generous applI-
cation Of grateful and benevolent de-
signs. The heedlessness and disregard
Of the principle which underlies the
granting Of pensions is unfair to the
wounded, crippled soldier, who Is hon
ored in Just recognition by his Govern
ment. Such man should never find
himself side by side on the pension
roll with those who have been tempted
10 attribute their natural ills to which
humanity is heir to service in the
army. Every relaxation OF principle
in the granting Of pensions invites appli-
cations without merit, and encourages
those who for gain urge honest men to
become dishonest. This is a demOraliz-
ing lesson taught the people--tbat as
against the public Treasury the most
questionable expedients are allowable.
During the present session Of Congress
493 special pension bills have been SUBJ
mitted 10 me, and | am advised that
III more have received the favorable
action Of both houses Of Congress and
will be presented within day or tSo,
making over COO Of these bills which
have been passed up to this time. Du-
ring the present session nearly three
tines The number passed as at any en-
tire session since 1861. With the Pen
sion Bureau fully equipped and regu-
/ lalod by the most LIBERAL rules
in active operation, supplemented by
It's work by constant special legislation,
It certainly is not unreasonable to sup
pose that 10 all the years that have
elapsed since the close of the war the
majority Of m6ritorious Chalmers FOR
pensions have been presented and dc.
teimincd. have now more than one
hundred aud thirty Of these bills before
me awaiting Executive action. 1t viii
be impossible 20 bestow upon them all
the examination they deserve, and
many viii probably become operative
which should be rejected. In the mean
time ! venture to suggest the sigulf-
canoe OF the startling increase in this
/ kind OF legislation and the consequences
involved in it's continuance. The bills
providing for the erection of pu5lic
buildings at Evansville, Ohio, ami
Sous city, Iowa, were vetoed Cor the
reasons that 40 Federal officers we're 10.
Gated at either place except the post
masters, and the postal business Of
these places does not warrant the
erection Of buildings by the GOV
eminent for the special accommodation
Of tho post-oH.ce." The President says ::
" The public buildings n)w in process
Of construction, numbering eighty, in
yolyng constant supervision, are al
the building projects which the Govern
ment ought TO have on hand a. one
time, unless q very palpable necessity
exists for increasing the number. The
multiplication Of these structures in
wolves not only the appropriation made
for their completion, but great expense
/ II their care and preservation there
after. While q fire Government build
ingjs a desirable ornament TO any town
or city, and while the securing Of an
appropriation therefor il often cons'i-
cred as an illustration of zeal and ac-
tuty in the interest Of d constituency,
! am Of the opinion that the eXqenli-
ture of the public money for such pur-
pose should depend upon the necessity
Of such buildings for public uses"