Montgomery County sentinel., 1890-03-21
THE PENSIONS WE ARE TO PAY


THE PENSIONS WE ARE TO PAY
The review recently made by the Wash
ngton Post, an impartial Republican au-
.hority, of the situation at Washington as
regards pensions, is most valuable contr.
button to public knowledge. The Posts
Tacts have been derived from sources enti-
lied 70 confidence. and its general sympathy
with the movement for increased pensions
guarantees the fairness of its statements.
Two hundred general pension bills, says the
Post, have been referred to the House COM
mittee and 2,04S special bills. The most
important of the general bills relate to the |
service pensions The most moderate OF
these bills would probably cost from $780,
100000 to $l00,O00,000 year. The most
liberal proposes minimum pension of IS
per month to all old soldiers, at a cost to
the treasury, according to the estimates of
its friends, of $l40,000,000 per annum. This,
of course, would be in addition to our pen
sion expenditure, which, during the current
year, is expected to be about $120,000000.
Another important bill which the present
Congress will probably pass proposes to
place on the roll all disabled soldiers who are
not now drawing pension, without regard
regard as to whether the disability was in
Cured in the service or not, and without
to the pecuniary condition of the soldier.
Another important bill which some well,
informed persons think is still more likely
to pass is the dependents pension bill"
This bill would require, it is estimated, an
annual expenditure of $35,000000. The
largest immediate outlay, however, would
be caused by the passage of the proposed
bill to repeal the act limiting the period
within which application can be made for
arrears Of pensions. Basing his estimates
on cases already allowed and those certain
to be allowed upon applications filed since
the expiration of the limitation, the COM
missioner of pensions concludes that a re-
peal OF the Limitation OF arrears would cost
$475,O00,O00. These are the main general
bills. There are many minor bills, one or
more OF which demand appropriations of
as much as 100000. But emitting these
and combining our attention to the three
leading bills, we find that the proposed ad
dition to the national burden is this:
For dependents pensions, 35,O00,000 a
year for II years, $595, 100000; for service
pensions, 100000 year for II years,
,700,O00000; arrears of pensions, $475,-
100000; total, $2.77O,OO0eOO. How is this
amount to be raised? The present revenue is
inadequate. The New York Commercial Id
eertiser, which wishes the matter treated in
a business-ike way, proposes TO raise the
necessary cash by sale of United States
bonds. An addition Of over two and half
billions to the war debt at this late day
would, il is true, give shock to some per-
sons, but it would certainly be better than
increasing taxes to the required extent.
The next generation, it is urged, should
have privilege of paying something for the
blessings secured to the country by the war
on the seeding States. The annual interest
charge upon $2,500000,000 woula hardly
exceed $62,500000 a year-a trifle com
TO raise if we attempt to pay as we go. The
Commercial Adcertiser sums up our past and
future liabilities to the veterans of the civil
war in the following figures:
Bounties paid during the war, $600,000,-
600; pensions paid since the war, 81 ,000,-
100000; pensions already promised, $780,,
100000; pensions proposed, $2,770, 100000; :;
total. $5,270,0 100000 In view OF these figures
the C0mmercaM Adrertiser raises the ques
ton whether "the Grand Army can afford
t. have il said that in freeing the slaves it
delivered over the whole nation into per
petual bondage"
The Hon. Daniel E. Griffin, chairman Of
the New York Democratic State Commit
tee, regards the municipal elections in that
State as but an evidence of the general feel
ing throughout the country. "Ihe tenden
cy," says Mr. Griffin, towards most reck
less extravaganza shown by the present
Congress, dissatisfaction with the present
national administration and with the State
Legislature, are the prime causes for the re
markable growth of Democratic sentiment
of this State, of which these elections are a
slight evidence. | have kept u pretty close
watch upon the politics of New York for
years, and believe that If there was gen
the State by $4,000 majority" Mr.. Griffin
says it looks to him as if the campaign Of
1892 will be fought largely upon the lines
of 1888, but as to who will lead the ticket
no man can answer now.
In the last two issues of the SENTINEL
we took occasion TO congratulate onr repre-
sentatives in the House of Delegates upon
their successful endeavor against bills Great
ing monopolies and trusts, and now with
Senator Weottons vote against the gas
monopoly, which was to be created for
Baltimore city, our pleasure is increased
in stating the fact, and our entire represen.
tation stands in accord with the constitu-
tion and the sentiments of the solid De
mocracy OF the nation. The gas bill was
defeated Tuesday last, and an Indignant
Democratic city is satisfied.
The present Legislature pass ed law to
remove the county seat Of Charles county
from Port Tobacco to La Plata, a station on
the railroad. Tuesday last an Indignation
meeting by four hundred representative cit
liens and tax payers was held 10 protest
against the law. and a delegation headed by
such an excellent Democrat as ex-senator
r. H. Edelen was appointed by the meeting
t. lay the protest before the Governor and
advise him of the hardship the law would
work TO the citizens of that county and not
10 give il his signature.
The Washington and Cumberland canal
lease bill has been informally hung up in
the House The expectation il that it will