New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-21
TWO PENSION POLICIES.
THE DEMOCRATIC AND MUGwUATP PRESS
ASsAILING THE VETERANS.
INCONSISTENCY OF THE CONFERENCE.-The
ADMINISTRATIONS POLICY IN ACCORDANCE
WITH LAW AND LONG PRECEDENT.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rKBUNE.1

ADMINISTRATIONS POLICY IN ACCORDANCE
WITH LAW AND LONG PRECEDENT.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TkIBUSE.1
Washington, Sept cO.-By this time it must be
apparent TO everybody that the Democratic and Mug
wulnp newspapers ana the soldier aten behind
them have entered upon general crusade against tho
Union pensioners Of the country. The members o.
tie Grand Army OF the Republic are denounced a.
cOnspirators' when they meet to confer respecting
tho common welfare Of the survivors Of the Union
Army and Navy, AID stlgmatized as "paupers'"
and mend cants' when they ask that the needy
and disabled comrades may be rescued from aims
houses TaDner was denounced by the soldier-hatng
press for alleged violations OF law: and as might
DO expected the Assistant Secretary Of the Interior
Is denounced because he adhercs to the law.
bogus interview with Major Warner is cOncoct,d
by Mugwump correspondent, and Is made tho
basis OF editorial comment Major Warner promptly
Genounccs the alleged interview as ncutous' ana
twenty-four hours afterwasd the false interview IS
made to do duty by paper which claims to DO tho
leading Democratic newspaper"
Tho views and policy OF the Administration In re-
gard to pensions are stdously and peIsistenty per-
ycr,ed; and decisions which based not only upon
the plain reading Of the law, but upon the hishose
judicial Interpretation Of the statute, are denounced
as schemes to dissipate the surplus. recent de-
clson of the Assistant secretary Of the Interior an
example. lie decided IN harmony with an opinion
delivered by Judge AdvOcateGenera Holt twenty
one years ago, that applicant Tor pension VINO
proves disability contracted In the service in the line
OF duty, cannot be debarred from the benefit OF
the pension laws by the fact that he was subsequently
dshonorsbly discharged from the service. In that
decision Judge Holt said
La the absence OF any statutory provision the sub
ect 10 is held not - BE- essential entte person ~
ary pension that be should received an honorable
discharge soldier The pension is granted on account
OK disability incurred BY the party in tho line oil duty
while in the military service wholly irrespective OF the
circumstances whether homo able dshonoTab!e under
which he may subsequently have become separated from
the army
Judge Hollis opinion in that case was suose-
Quently confirmed by tho Supreme Court Of the
United States, and the practice of the Pension Bureau
conformed thereto until 1873, when Commissioner
undertook to Overrule it. He was, IN turn, promptly
overruled by the Secretary Of the Interior, ana no
further question raised until about two years
ago In his recent decision therefore, General Bussey
Is sustained by Judge Holt, by the Supreme court
OF the United States, by elaborate decision OF
former Secretary Of the Interior. and by the uniform
practice of a quarter of century, opposed to which
is the dlctm of General Black or OF some muodied
subordinate. Whether not man who was as
hOnOably dismissed from the service OugHJ 10 receive
pension is not the question. Neither the pension
Commissioner nor the Secretary OF the Interior can
make or unmake a aw-uncss no happens TO be Demo
Grassland as the law stands, the man who incurred
Instability In the Army or Navy is entitled 10 pension,
even il he was subsequently, dlshOnOrauly dIS1hdrEel
Pensions depend upon disability contracted IN ac.Ih
service not upon TIE moral character social status
sui seacnt gOOd or bad military conduct, or any Other
consideration whatever OF the applicants, plO'Iuet i
they were discharged by competent anthony ana
are not borne the rolls as deserelS. III inc law
k wrong as many onOrably discharged SOLDIERS thlhh
~ may be- IL can De Chdlgcd ny CoHetcoS O"' " nv
other power
fror Other Vashfngion ge,rs See Second Page)