Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1888-07-14

motive Is assigned for the deed. Tha 49,
is fine, aud there is plenty of vsfer ont.;f.
the pastures a. well as in them.
TIE PRESIDENT ON PENsIos.
He Says That the Pension List Shou,a 4. .
Roll Of Honor-Not Indiscriminass Alus-
Giving.
WASHINGTON, D. C. July 5.-The president
has made an order directing all consnIar
0hcers OF the government to hereafter au-
thenncate all the vouchers and other papers
1eceesary for drawing pensions by United
states pensioners, without fee.
Following is President Clevelaud's mes
sage TO the senate. yetoing the bill granting
pension to Mary Ann Doherty. After
showing that she was of bad character.
the president enters upon q Consideration
OF pension legislation generally, and
says: II cannot spell ont any principle moon
which the bounty of the governments is be-
slowed, through the instrumentality of the
Hood OF private pension bills that reach me.
theories too have been adopted that no man
who served In the army can be subject to
death or impaired health except that they
are chargeable to his service. Medical
theories are set at naught, and the most
startling relation claimed between alleged
accidents of military service and disability
or death.
Fatal apopIe1y is admitted az the result
OF quite Insignificant wounds, heart disease
Is attributed to chronic diarrhea, consump-
ton hernia and suicide is traced to the army
service in a wonderfully devious and curious
way and the jurisdiction of the pension bu-
reau are overruled In the most peremptory
fashion, by those special acts Of congress.
since nearly all the becefcies named in
these bills have unsuccessfuly, applied to
that bureau for relief, this course
of special legislation operates very
unfairly. Those with certain influence,
or friends to push their claims, procure
pensions, and those who have neither infu-
ence or friends, must be content with their
fate under the general laws. 1t operates
unfairly by increasing, In numerous in
stances, the pensions of those already on the
roll, while many other more deserving cases
from the lack of fortunate advocacy, are
obliged to be content with the sum
provided by general laws. The apprehen-
sion may well be entertained that the free
dom with which these private pension bills
are passed, furnishes an inducement to fraud
and imposition, while it certainly teaches the
vicious lesson to our people that the treasury
of the national government invites the ap-
proach of private need. None of us
should be In the least wanting in regard
for the veteran soldier, and I will
yield to no man in a desire to see
those who defended the government when
1t needed defenders, literally treated.
Unfrlendllness to our veterans is charge
easy and sometimes dishonesty made. I
insist that the true soldier is a good citizen,
and that he will be satisfied with generous,
fair and equal consideration for those who
are worthily entitled to help. I have con-
sidered the pension list of the republics roll
of honor, bearing names inscribed by ma
donal gratitude, and not by improvident
and indiscriminate aims giving.
have conceived the prevention of the
complete discredit which might ensue from
the unreasonable, unfair and reckless grant
ing of pensions by special bills. to be the
best service can render our veterans. In
the discharge of what seemed to me my
duty, as related to the legislation, and in
the interest of all the veterans of the Union
army, have attempted to stem the tide of
improvident pension enactments, though
confess to full share of responsibility for
some of these laws that should not have
been passed. I am far from deying that
there are cases of merit which cannot be
reached except by special enactment, but /
do not believe there is member of either
house of congress who will not admit that
this kind of legislation has been carried too
far. have now before me more than 100
special pension bills, which can
hardly be examined within the time
allowed for that purpose. My aim
has been at all times, in dealing with bills of
this character, to give the applicant for
pension the benefit of doubt that might
balance the propriety OF granting the PEN
sion, if there seemed any just foundation
for the application, but when it seemed en-
tirely outside of every rule in its
nature. or the proof of supporting
it, I have done only my duty in interspers-
ing an objection. It seems to me it would
be well if our general pension laws should
be revised with a view Of meeting every
meritorious case that can arise. Our expe-
rience and knowledge of any existing
deficiency ought to make the enactment of
q complete pension code passabie. In the
absence of sd N a revision, and if pensions
are to be granted upon equitable grounds
and without regard to general laws, the pres
ent methods would be greatly improved by
the establishment of some tribunal to eI-
anime the acts in every case, and determine
upon the merits of the application"