The National tribune., 1891-04-02
TIE PROGRAM or THE PEN5IoN
UATEES

deiphia f,mcSf II they have not, we COM
mend it 10 their earnest attention, FOR we
can assure them that no publication Of more
| Importance 10 fhcm has been made this
many-a-day. Aud we warn them 10 beware
OF underwriting il. Emphatically, it is not
a matter to be thought Of lightly. In place
Of being radical, it is, on the contrary,
conservative expression Of the designs Of the
opponents Of the pension system. In place
Of meaning less than il maps ont, they mean
vastly more, and viii neglect nothing to
carry their hostility much farther than il
indicates So large proportion Of the COM
munity in Pennsylvania are old soldiers,
that the Times did not think IL prudent TO
be more radical at the outset, but in New
York City and the South there is no such
need Of prudence, and there the papers are
outspokca in demanding that the entire pen
sion system lie destroyed, root and branch.
PROFESSIONALLY, if they had the power, they
would pass but one act relating TO pensions,
and that would be 10 repeal every net and
part Of an act on tue statute-books author
izing any pension or allowance for military
service since April ], 1861. But let US
examine once more the Philadelphia 7lmes's
program:
l. Repeal the disability feature a. the pension
law Of las. year, and make il apply ouly &C. cases
Of dependent soldiers who have rendered actual
military service.
p Repeal bll pensions granted by special oc,s ~
Congress, excepting those granted To widows Of
soldiers WHO SHED exceptional lu-tcr upon the hcru-
ism Of ,hc Nation. Under our present exceedingly
lbgrni pension laws, an who c.nuoi obtain pen
sion by regular application should hc excluded.
Repeal Hll pensions osolGicrs who arc awarded
only S. or 81 per month. Such pensions Imply no
suoh disability should be necessary 10 obtain
pension.
g. Every peusioncd soldier who holds civil Office.
National, State or local that pays q larger salary
than his pension should have his pension suspend
cd during his official tetn.
s. Ilvcry soldier provided for in soldiers Home
should receive no pension while thus cared Cor. II
s disability caused by military service and
le mas dependent family, IL should be provided
/ For
G. The attorney or pension agent Zee I'm every
pending case should be reduced TO s. for eRch APP
i poation. and no lee vhstevcr should be allowed
in any new application. This would save the sol
/ diors Of The country many millions and tear up
4 pension frauds hy the roots.
2. Competent tribunals. composed entirely a.
oivilian-. should be authorized Ia every commu-
nifty receive md perfect every pension applica-
tiun without cost 60 the applicant, and also 20
review every pension already granted, Rpplica-
tion u ANY oitizon presenting probable cause for
Euoh inquiry.
The first section is obscurely worded, but
as near as the meaning can lie gathered it
means 10 repeal entirlly the Disability Act
Of last year, aud con1ne all pensions to SOL
diers who were actually disabled in the
service and are also in poverty. That is, in
order 10 get pension, man will have 60
he both disabled in service and pRuper.
No one is TO get anything without FIRST prov
ing himself a proper subject for aims. II
be can keep out Of the poorhouse he shall
moi receive n pension. no matter what his
services may have been and how Justly he
is entitled 10 a pension by the express agree
ment Of the Government that be served.
The second section would sweep away all
special pensions granted by Congress except
those to the widows Of few leading Cen
erals 10 matter how great the affection OF
a private soldier, no matter by what deed of
special gallantry and sacrifice he incurred
his disability, no matter how much he may
have dared, suffered, and lost for his c0un-
try, Congress must not allow him more than
merely pauper keep"
The third section would cut of al the
small pensions aud punish The veteran for
the hard-heartedness Of The Board who hap
pened 10 examine linn, OF the crankiness Of
the clerk who passed upon his case il
the Pension Bureau has been unjust "a
him Congress must be still more unjust II
he is getting but - where he is properly
entitled 10 s. or $40, tie matter mus. bc
rectifed by giving him nothing. Verify, "a
him who hath il shall be given, and from
him who hath nothing it shall be taken
away.
The fourth section would take the pension
away from every pensiouer who holds al
Office or place If the waves Of his place AZ,
greater than Ills pension. Thus, If som,
broken veteran, WHO gets, say, s. a month
should have an appointment as Waterman o
public building, The only position that hi
shattered strength viii admit Of his filing
be is TO have his little pension deducted from
The $40 to $50 q month lie may get for Ia
> service. II be happens TO be appointe,
= Postmaster az some crossroads, then Li
pension must be deducted from his beggarl,
{ salary. What insaable meauness, and nov
+ narrow-f9ulcd a man must Dc to think u
such small tricks!
. The fifth section wonld take away tn
pension Of every inmate Of Soldiers HON,
!. and leave him absolutely nothing for want
z outside o. his clothing and food, or for assist
auca to bis family.
W. rt-tF, ..,ts..., IL - -