The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-08-15

To reduce the surplus was one Of the
promises Of the last national radical plat
form. From the report of the address of re-
firing Commander Alger, at Boston, il
would appear that the Grand Army Of the
Republic was body organized principally
TO assist the grand army Of the Republicans
TO fulfil that promise. The presence in the
camp of officers Of the Republican admins
tration, and Of representatives OF the horde
Of pension agents, would confirm the con-
lecture. Not content with materially re-
ducing the surplus 10y expenditures for pen
sions, now aggregating sl5O,O0O0OO annu-
ally, and likely TO be increased as the appli-
cations pour in at the rate Of ten thousand
day, the photographers want more.
II is rather curious that the survivors Of
the war seem to multiply as that terrible
conflict is removed farther and farther by
time. The war, instead Of being.a deyasta-
tor, has acted as an elixir and in this light
is entirely different from any other war
which ever took place.
Year by year the number of those who
or another, has increased, until, if the pro
cess is continued, logically, it will be shown
by official figures, and by the more potent
sign of treasury a-begging, that the Union
army contained more men than there were
people In the whole section of country
warning against the Constitution.
II the brave patriots, numerously men of
the stripe known as Ilessian, are really in
need Of support by the Government even If
they did nominally belong TO ninety-days
army only, Southern soldiers who have
managed by struggles against tremendous
odds TO advance 10 some degree of recuper-
alton are magnanimOus enough to allow
themselves to be pillaged TO some extent.
Brave men are always magnanimous. To
be sure, those patriots didn't have much
chance 10 be wounded in ninety days,
but under the Disability bill, in the words
of General Alger, mo matter what "A mans
financial condition may be, if he be physi-
cally disabled from performing manual
labor he is entitled TO pension, the condi-
tons being, first, phys disability, not
necessarily contracted in the service; and,
second, that proof OF such disability may
be made upon certificate from his physician
probably, and without the testimony of his
former comrades"
According TO statistics Of the pension
raids upon the Treasury. il is apparent that
many more men were wounded than any
one possibly imagined at the close Of 1865.
In fact figures, which may prove anything,
show that the loss 10 the Federal armies
must have been terrific, and in the light OF
pension reports the deeds Of the sons of the
South, fighting TOR principle and for homes,
shine with eyer-increasing lustre. Those
on the other side may have thought they had
principle at stake. Now they are enjoying
the interest.
Even against this the Taxpayers of the
south do not utter very loud protests. But
when the endeayor is made 10 extend the
benefits OF the pension service 10 non-com-
bstsnts they object,
They are unwilling TO be robbed by pro-
tective tariff TO give bonus 10 stragglers,
camp-followers, and mules.
General Alger and those who gathered
around the campfire at Boston regret keen
ly that the Service bill could not become
law. The patriots are sorry that Congress
would not dare TO vote for an amount that,
taken with the regular expenditures Of Gov
eminent, would exceed its revenues"
Do General Alger and his comrades re-
gard pensions as irregular expenditures.