The National tribune., 1891-10-29

pcnsl0n-haters program, which we published
last week? II they have not, they have
neglected a duty to themselves and their
comrades. If they have not, they are far
from being as keenly alive TO the protection
Of their interests as their enemies are in as
sailing them. The program is the result of
much thought and cunning scheming TO
produce something that will look fair TO the
general public, and yet deliver a fatal stab
10 the pension system. Let us reproduce
aud analyze it:
l. Repeal the disability feature OF tho pension
law Of last year and make il apply only 10 cases
Of dependent soldiers Who have rendered actual
military service.
. Repeal all pensions granted by special acts Of
Congress, excepting those granted to widows Of
soldiers who shed exceptional lusIcr upon the hero
ism of the Nation. Under our present exceedingly
liberal pension laws ava who cannot obtain a PEN
sion By regular application should be excluded
B Repeal an pensions 20 soldiers who are award
ed only g. or 81 per month. Such pensions imply
40 such disability should be necessary TO obtain
a pension.
g. Every pcnsioned soldier who holds civil
oiiec National Slate or local, that pays a larger
salary thau his pension should have his pension
suspended during his Official term.
o. Every so.dier provided for in Soldiers Home
should receive pension while thus cared for. IL
his disability WIS caused by military service, and
lac has dependent family, il should be provided
for.
G The attorney or pension agent fee Ia every
pending should be reduced TO 81 FOR each
application, and 30 Ice whatever should be allowed
Ia any application. This would save the sol
diers Of the country many millions, and tear mp
pension frauds by the roots.
z. Competent tribunals, composed entirely Of
civilians should be authorized la every commu-
nifty To receive and perfect every pension appica-
tioH without cost 10 lIo applicant, aud also 10
view every pousion already granted, application
Of any citizen presenting probable cause for such
inquiry.
The first clause would alix the pauper
stigma 10 every pension granted. No man
is to be allowed pension vino is not abso-
lutely without means. He must declare
himself paupsr before his claim win he
considered at all. This is immoral, degrad-
ing, and dishonorable Immoral, because ii
viii put a premium on vice aud shiftless-
ness. The man who has been industrious
and pTovident, and secured little home or
a small farm, viii be denied d pension,
while he who has been idle, drunken, aud
prof gale viii be given one. Degrading,
because il makes pensions nothing but aims,
instead Of The payment OF a just debt.
Dishonorable, because il viii be a fragrant
violation Of The Governments contract with
the soldier to provide for him in case he
was disabled. 1t is thus iniguitous from
every point Of view Tie provision about
soldiers who have rendered actual military
service" means simply nothing. No man
can get upon the rolls now who has not
performed actual military service"
The second clause would restrict all special
pensions to ;he widows Of a few ish officers
All veterans whose cases were rejected under
the narrow and stringent construction Of
illibeTal laws would be denied an appeal to
the justice Of Congress Such a provision
would simply fiji the land with monuments
to The Nations cruelty, ingratitude, and in
justice
The third clause would cut or all pen
sions Of 81 a month and under THE Ma
TIoNAL TRIBUNE has long urged the aboli-
ton Of these niggardly pensions by raising
them TO q more adequate figure But in
sufficient as they are, they are still great
help 10 thousands who can do something
for their own support They provide for
Them the rent Of rooms, or medicines, or
school books f0r lleir children, OF little arti-
cles Of food, clothing or fuel, which in many
cases they would have to 70 without were il
not for these slender stipends Great as the
needs Of the pensioners may be, and great
as is the justice Of their claims for higher
ratings, this is al that they may have been
able 10 get from Examining Boards which,
under the Cleveland Administration, seemed
frequently organized 10 deny pensions alto
gether, OF where this was Impossible, to cut
them down 10 the lowest figure. The pro-
gram speaks Of our exceedingly liberal
pension laws" but when Il was once entered
upon there would be no such a thing rs lib
erality in pension laws. A claimant would
be very lucky If he got 50 much as 81 a
month no matter how great his disability
and his dependence were
The fourth clause would take away either
he pension or the salary Of every veteran
who CHANGED 10 get elected or appointed ID
any Office OF place. II he should be appointed
a Postmaster % some crossroads he must
have bis meager salary deducted from
his pension. IL he should get place a,
Waterman OF messenger IN some COURTEOUS,
or police station al few dollars a month
either his WAGES or his pension would have
TO 60 lie could not serve on the jury, o
act as Constable, without losing either hi
fees or his pension. This is a cruel absurdity
Pensions can have no connection whateye
with any present employment They ar
payment for services rendered long ago
| they are the filG .lmcnt Of an ola coptrac