New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-01-25
THE DEMAND FOR PENSIONS.
OVER ONE THOUSAND PRIVATE BILLS
TIE NEED OF REVISION OF EXISTING LAW s.
WORK OF THE CLAIM AGENTS.

TIE NEED OF REVISION OF EXISTING LAW s.
WORK OF THE CLAIM AGENTS.
IFRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNEl
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24-Over l,00C private
pension bills have already been introduced In the House.
and the PRINCIPAL part OF its tme far has been taken
I'D In tho OF ST ch matters The number OF
such bills increases ut each session. and the members
bessie ged with claim agents who are Interested III the
passage OF these measures. On Friday evenings
sessions are held devoted exclusively to the passage OF
these private bills During the debate on Wednesday
ON the bill TO the pensions of widows member
pointed out 70 twelve claim agents who were gath
cred about the door Of the main entrance TO The hOase
There are few members who have the courage to vote
against a pension bill OF any kind The theory that
pensions provide support for those who cannot
support themselves because OF what they have suffered
in defence OF their country the OF these
private bills is concerned was long ago abandoned
conspicuous instance OF the unfarness ut these measures
Is seen pension of 800 month granted General
Black as physical wreck" who is ut the same time
drawing salary So 900 the incumbent OF an office
which requires an exceedingly abeb bodied man to fill IT,
what is needed" said Representative Matson, OF
Indiana in referring TO this subject is revision Oh the
Pension laws to make them more equitable. voted on
Friday the pension OF the widow OF General
urocker from $50 to $50 month, though DO not
believe in such legislation But it Is difficult thing now
TO refuse such request Congress began by increasing
from $50 to $50 month the pensions Of the WIDOWS OF
general officers had been killed in battle and 80 u
on step by STEP until the same rate OF pension
was given TO the widows OF al general officers admit
that it is not right that the widow Of private soldier
should have only So "a month. while the widow St an
officer Is increased from $50 to $50.
But these pensions OF $50 have been gwen Ia every
case where application been made and 1t has been
so esta hshed by precedent that it is now almost I'M
possible to refuse without implicitly saying to tile
applicant husbands services were not As valuable
as those OF other general officers whose widows have had
their pensions increased to $50 month We undertook
IN the Congress TO devise scheme in the nature
Of commission for the purpose OF revising the Pension
laws and eQuszing them. Blu: 1t Is very dlhcuIt to
reduce or take away a pension that has onre been
granted" Some members, like Mr.. TOwnshend, OF
illinois, who kept safe distance from the front during
the war; make special feature OF posing as the friends
Of the soldier whenever one OF these pension bills comes
up.
in ms Judgment" said Mr.. Townshend, in speaking
on subject other day no better use can he made
of the surplus money Treasury than distribute
among people through the hands OF pensioners
The money you pu, into the pocket Of the penooner
not boarded. Ii goes into circulation IN every helsA0or
hooi. and hell to increase tue internal prosperity
OF the country"
soldier in the war pensiOned, particularly those who
have in his district 1t matters not that the Grand
Army the Republic officially poses pension BILL
because MI TOwnshend ike many Others Will ad'o-
The bill to Increase the pensions o. widows and
dependent relatives which will take S6OOOOOO annually
be hnns frieSis Of the soldiers favor this measure
only MANY them with General Bragg that such
incioase to PENSIONS should apply only to widows who
were married to the passage OF the act Such an
amendmont however has already been voted down. The
result this kind 81 legislation Is the pension
rollsynow there being 1922 widow OF so ders who
served the Var OF 1912 drawing pensions. although
there only 29i5 survivors who served In that
determined effort Is to he made also TO pass tue
Mexican PousOn bill and the pension survivors
OF the Indian wars The Commissioner OF Pensions has
estimated that it will take S52O00.O00 10 mee tie
claims FOR pensions account o. tie Mexican War; aud
- will take another large for those who served IN
the Indian wars IL appears probable that II bill 10
the clause which limited the time for filing claims
for arrearages will also pass; and strong Efforts are
being made the claim agents 10 through o. the
several bills introduced granting pension to every
who cd III the late Though the Grand Army
OF the Republic has officially opposed such an act.
Southern members all fierce tor the OF
the Mexican Pension ALL in form that will grant pen
the Confederate Army. over 62 100000 OF pu0c
land already been 10 the who served In
the Mexican and Indian wars. In addition To all the
other lion schemes tho claim agents are demanding
five years half pas under passed In 1886 for tho
widow OF every soldier killed IN the War; his
home after being mustered out vino died from
wounds. II the Supreme Court should decide that
still in force II Is estimated that IL would take
S53 900. 900 to meet claims under It.
The year before Congressional election the claim
ally find tn be the best time for their work
This year proves to be exception tO the rule The
trouble friends OF the soldiers meet with IN
and dishOnC claims Tae method OF granting pensions
by private bills everybody To be bad and tnat
places the private soldier at great disadvantage as
are1y vi