The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-07-11

and suicide is traced to army service in a won
derfully devious and curious way. Adjudica-
tons of the pension bureau are oyeTruled in
the most peremptory fashion by these special
acts OF congress, since nearly all the bene-
hclaries named in these bills have unsuccess-
fully applied to the bureau for relief.
ms course OF special legislation operates
very unfairly. Those with certain influence,
or friends TO push their claims, procure pen
slons, and those who have neither friends nor
influence must be content with their fate
uhder generals. 1t operates unfairly by in
creaslng IN numerous instances the pensions of
those already on the roll, while many other
more deserving cases. from the lack of fortu-
nate advocacy, are obliged to be content with
the sum provided by general laws.
Inc apprehension may well be entertained
that the freedom with which these private pen
sion bills are passed furnishes an inducement
10 fraud and imposition, while it certainly
teaches the vicious lesson to our people that
the treasury of our national government in
vltes the approach of private need. None of
us should be in the least wanting in regard for
the veteran soldier, asid / will yield to no man
In desire to see those who defended the gov
eminent, when 1t needed defenders, literally
treated Unfriendliness to our veterans is a
charge easily and sometimes dishonesty made.
L insist that the true soldier is good citizen
and that he will be satisfied with generous, fair
and equal consideration for those who are
worthily entitled to help.
publcs roll OF honor, bearing names inscribed
by national gratitude and it should not be
marred by improvident and indiscriminate
alms-giving. l have conceived that the pre-
venuon OF the complete discredit which must
ensue from the unreasonable, unfair and reck-
less granting of pensions by special acts to be
the best service that l can render our veterans.
In 1.-THE discharge of what has seemed TO me
my duty as related to legislation, and in the
interest OF all the veterans of the Union army,
L have attempted to stem the tide of IMPROVE
dent pension enactments though / confess to a
tull share OF responsibility for some of these
laws that should not have been passed. | am
far from denying that there are eases of merit
which cannot be reached except by special en-
actment; but do not believe there is a mem.
Der OF either house of congress who will not
admit that this kind of legislation has been
carried too far. 1 have now before ne 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
Tor pension the benefit of any doubt that
might arise and which balanced the propnety
OF granting pension, if there seems any just
foundation for the application but when it
seems entirely out of every rule, in its nature
or the proof supporting il, have supposed
did only my duty in interposing an objection.
1t seems TO me that it would be well if our
general pensions laws should be revised with a
view of meeting every meritorious case that
can arise. Our experience and knowledge of
any existing deficiencies ought TO make the
enactment of a complete pension code pos
sible.
''In the absence of such a revision, and if
pensions are to be granted upon equitable
grounds, and without regard to general laws
the present methods would be greatly i'm
proved by the establishment of some tribunal
to examine the facts in every case and deter
mine upon the merits of the application"