The morning news., 1891-12-01
The Growing Pension Burden.

The Growing Pension Burden
The Secretary of the Interior, in his an
nuaI report. extracts from which the
MORNING NEWS publis ed yesterday, takes
very hopeful view Of the pension burden.
He says that it is estimated that when the
highest point is reached pensions will not
greatly exceed the present su n. The esti-
mate for the year 1898 is S144. .955,OOO.
But who can say when the highest point
will be reached, or " hat the amount Of the
pension burden will be when the highest
point Is reached The burden is steadily
growing greater. For the year 1889 it was
SS7 CA. 779 IL, for 1890 SlO9, ,357 534, for 1891
S124, AIS. .951. and for 1892 it will be $780,
473,0s5. For years the annual increase has
been large.
Unless there should be further legisla-
tion the annual outgo for pensions might
not go beyond $780, 600. but are not
new enson bills introduced into every
congress, and does not every congress pass
pension billsl There is no doubt that there
will be introduced into this congress bills
that would, if passed, increase the pension
burden many millions Of dollars annually.
And one or more such bills may be passed.
legislation. The union veterans have
large voting strength and both
parties seek their assistance at the
polls. 1t is true that the Democratic party
has ende lvored to call halt number of
times in this pension extravaganza, but it
has not been successful. Democratic con-
gressmeu. fearing defeat in their respective
congressional districts, have Joined repub-
lican congressman in passing pension bills,
which distribute millions of dollars aunu-
ally among those who have no need for as
sistAnce.
For years after the war the pension bur-
| den was mparatively small. When Grant
was President the republican leaders de-
clared that the pension burden would never
reach 0.OO0 900. They did not understand
how great the industry and skill Of the
| pension sharks we're. These pension attor-
| neys who fatten upon the proceeds Of pen
sion legislation are largely responsible for
the magnitude Of the pension burden. They
suggest the legislation, prepare the bills and
work up the sentiment that influences con,
| gless to favor all sorts Of pension measures.
There are evidences among the union
veterans of a change of sentiment with
respect to the pension business. In the
December number Of the Forum there is an
article by Lieut.. Allen R. Foots, a union
veteran. entitled Degradation Of PEN
sions," in which he takes the ground that
the pension roll ought to be relieved of all
Of those who are not in need, and that only
those who cannot earn a support should be
provided for. he believes that a radical
reform is needed In pension matters and be
purposes to establish society to inaugurate
a reform He says: 81 believe that, when
the reasons for and the nature of the re-
form demanded are once properly under
stood, large numbers of loyal volunteers
who are now receiving pension payments
that they accept as an honorable expression
Of the nations gratitude and appreciation
(but who are not in need will willingly see
their pension certificates cancelled, rather
than allow their honorable service to be
used as a cover for pensioning the dishonor-
able and undeserving."
II the proposed reform is started 1t may
receive support sufficient to prevent any
further increase Of the pension burden. The
effect Of it will be to strengthen the con-
gressmen in doing in pension matters what
they know to be right. They are now con-
trolled to a great extent by the fear of
losing popularity.