The National tribune., 1890-07-17
REPEAL OF LIMITATION ACT
What Does a Distribution Of $500, 900, 900 Mean
TO the Producing CIasscsl

! EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Tho writer
to show that he has no selfish interest as a sol
dier and pensioner in the subject, will STATE
that he is now drawing a pension of So pei
month for wounds received in action that hC
has received his arrears. aud that arrears are
not to be paid upon an increase of pension, i
! such increase is allowed.
The interest upon amount required as pei
estimate (9500,000 000) would, ii funded al
3 per cent, amount TO SlJ,O00000 per year
Add to this sinking fund of per cent. pei
annum, the amount of which would be S25, 600,
600, we would have total of 10000 900 pei
year upon account of the repeal of the limita,
| tion of arrears act. The cost per capita would
be. assuming the population TO be G5,000,000
| about go cents.
The annual income of the Government we
will put at $400, 100000 which is slightly in
excess of the actual amount. This means q
tax OF S6.l6 per capita, which, added to the
amount on account of this measure, would
bring the total up to $6.76.
j believe that the country was very pros
porous when the tax was far greater, and the
Government was paying 5000 900 per year
to the bondholder, ut q high rate aud when
gold was mt n premium.
This added tax of go cents per capita is the
main, | may say the only argument of the
honest opponent of this measure most of whom
are friends to the soldier.
There is another class who, in addition to
this cry for economy, declare the soldier has
been paid for his services and if he was dis
abled in the line of duty, why, give him a
pension from the date of his application. What
more can he ask?
This second class reminds me Of a person who
would pay the man who had risked his life to
save the cur from drowning, current wages by
the hour, and to be liberal, would extend the
time until his savior could dry his clothing.
The writer has in his mind a person of this
description. He is man of about so years OF
age, and was in his prime at the time Of the
rebellion, and without membranes. This
person was pouring out his wrath ut the folly
of the Government in its liberal policy toward
the soldier, when the writer said to him;
=" / believe, Mr. -, you did not enlist?"
Enlist! | wasn't such fool as TO give up
SO day, bed to sleep in, roof to cover me,
aud three square meals day for 3l3 month,
all out-of-doors for bedroom, and pork and
hardtack when could get it, with the chance
of stopping a bullet"
You are, / must say, n prudent man, Mr..
--; you don't believe in taking any risk that
will jeopardize your life, heal h or prosperity"
Oh, did take risk; | stood three drafts
like mani If / had been drafted it would
have cost me $500 to get out of it
To sum up the arguments against the meas
=
the honest opponent, viz, economy; I'd, those
who oppose 1T through sordid meanness aud
envy; Sd, those whose noble chivalry declared
il right and honorable to hold human beings
in bondage, and drive them to labor for what
ever return their owners saw fit TO give them
This class, having forced a large section of the
country into a rebellion against the best
Government the sun ever shone upon, in sup
port of their pet institution. now naturally OBJ
ject To any legislation IN favor of their con-
qucr0rs
The only opponents worthy of attention arc
those honest ones who oppose the measure upon
economical grounds These arc entitled to re-
spccttul consideration. which they shall have
when it is reached in its due order. The first
and greatest argument in support of this meas
ure is its justness. A soldier who was while
in the line of duty disabled, was under the
pension laws entitled TO q certain pension per
month from the date of his discharge, upon
making application and proving his claim, pro-
vfded he made application prior to July /, 1850
Numbers presented their claims and were
allowed arrearages from the date of their dis
charge. There was nothing unjust about this;
but there are numerous others who. though dis
abied while in the line ofduty, through a certain
pride refuse to ask aid Gas they call it, of the
Government as long as they can earn seanty
subsistence for their families. When poverty
finally compels them to present their claim, are
they not entitled 10 pension from the date Of
receiving their disability Are they not as
deserving IA those who presented their claim
before the act expired?
/ know numbers of deserving soldiers who
are, aud have been since their discharge, en-
titled 20 pension under the laws, but who
have never applied. Is this great and prosper
Gus Nation to quibble, and say TO these soldiers
that, though you in equity are entitled, you
shall not receive your dues, because you did not
apply III time? A few days ago | met an old
comrade who served in the same company and
regiment with myself. He is about so years OF
age, and looks to be 20; is prudent, steady
man of good habits, aud an employe OF manu-
featuring concern OF this city. lie has not
been a well man since bis discharge, aud is
compelled 20 lose great deal OF time from in
ability TO work steadily. lie scantiy supports
hls family only 10y working many days when
he is unfit 10 do so. This mau if in good health
and able to work steadily, could support his
family we'll, educate his children (who now
have To be taken from school and put To- work
at tender agol, and lay by something for a
rainy day. All he now has provided for
this rainy day Is cotton umbrella. / said 10
him, John, do ysu get pension7" ;" Il knew
Ae was entitled.l
"No"
why don't you apply for one?"
George, I'll never ask for Government aid
until poverty compels me !"
He was deserving soldier, who was dis
abled in the service, and has never applied To
the Pension Bureau. When poverty compels
him TO- will he not be entitled from the date of
receiving his discharge as well as one who ap-
piled ten years ago2 WIN not his case cover
an immense number OF Others? Should not
these men receive their just dues from a rescued
Nation without quibbling?
Now, We will look at It's financial aspect and
what will be its effect upon the prosperity of
He tLr,r A ...iI LuEn L.