The National tribune., 1886-07-29

The President and those who sympathize
with him are trying TO make much capital
ont Of a general TRADE against Especial legis-
lation" in pension cases.
"See the unfairness of the system he and
they say. "Here is Brown, who was a good
soldier, and was undoubtedly broken down
in his country's service, but he cannot get
Congressman to enlist in his behalf because
he does not happen TO be an active political
worker, or he is Of different political faith
from the Representative of his District;
therefore he cannot offer any inducement
for an earnest espousal Of his cause. lie
must therefore go without any relief On
the other hand, Jones, who was shirk and
a hummer, is an active heeler,' and does
good work for his man at the primaries.
Therefore, heaven and earth are moved TO
give him pun out Of the Treasury"
This argument is specious, but very I'M
sound. Still farther, it cunningly evades the
real issue
Thanks to the GAR. and to the feelings
Of generosity and justice common among our
people, no deserving and broken-down SOL
dier lacks influence sufficient TO strongly
interest his Representative in his behalf. 1t
matters little whether his politics be in ac-
cord with those Of his Representative or not.
If he has good soldier record, and is needy,
public opinion viii force the Representative
TO exert himself in his behalf Quite early
in every politicians career he learns that the
hearts Of the people are with the veterans,
and that they viii appreciate kindness done
them.
The cowardly shirlzs such Of them as
are still aliye--are not conspicuous for po-
litical activity and influence. A m..n who
skunk and skulked in the army is not likely
to have force enough to make himself felt in
any way at home.
The Presidents fling would imply that the
great if not greater portion Of the soldiers
were skullzers and towards. This is fright
full injustice TO an army which did more
fighting in proportion to its numbers and
length Of service than any other in modern
history.
The President hsrrangues against special
Legislation" as something vicious in itself
This betrays his ignorance Of the true spirit
Of our institutions as badly as other features
Of his yetoes do IT its inevitable with our
form of Government that we should have
special legislation. Indeed, whenever gen.
eral laws are made applying TO a wide range
Of cases, there must be special legislation.
II is the rule that the operation Of all gen.
eral laws is attended with injustice and
hardships which must be remedied by special
enactments.
This is particularly true Of such an insti-
tuition as the pension system. Every con-
sideration Of wise economy dictates that the
SAPcu0iLuAc vi EiOat sums VI hiOHcys buIh
as the Pension Bureau pays out every year,
shall be carefully regulated by general laws
OF necessity these laws must be made string.
ent in their application, and those changed
with the disbursement should be allowed as
little discretion as possible. IT would be
rank folly and extravagance to do otherwise
But this cOmpels special legislation tc
meet special cases, in which the general laws
either work an absolute injustice or lail Il
give the deserved relief
1t is the right and duty Of Congress, which
has the prerogative of making the genera
laws, 10 take cognizance Of the exceptional
cases in which these may work badly and
supplement them by special action suited tc
individual instances. When Mr.. Cleveland
disparnges this right and duty he makes |
lamentable showing Of his own ignorance o
the principles Of Government.