Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-11-30
The Deficit and the Pension Frauds.

Commissioner Raum's evasive replies
to questions touching the amount of
the deficiency in his bureau tend to
confirm the belief that it is as large as
reported.
Not many years ago James A. Gar
field apologized for the largeness of the
pensions appropriation Of that year by
assuring Congress of his conviction
that the maximum had been reached,
and that unless there should be gross
and reckless extravaganza the pension
payments would decrease every year
thereafter.
If we are not mistaken, the appro-
priation he was apologizing fol
amounted to less than fourth of the
present expenditure. The amount
voted last July was over one hundred
and forty-six million dollars, and now
Commissioner Raum is quoted as ad-
hitting deficit of at least fifteen mil
lions on pensions account, and the files
of his Office are daily loaded with new
claims.
This must stop. The democratic
Treasury and splendid surplus. On
the eve of it's return the party is con-
fronted with empty Golfers and def
cit. What are the republicans going
to do about it? The country will not
submit to put any further mortgage on
it's homes and industries to meet such
dishonest and unparalleled eXpendi-
ture, and the people want lower not
higher duties and taxes. Evidently
both ends must be made to meet not
by increasing the income but by de-
creasing the Outgo.
We must have ships and harbor de-
fences and all necessary expenses of
government, but the expenditures
must be cut down, and obviously the
very best place to begin is in the Pen
sion Bureau. The men who served
their country deserve and must receive
grateful consideration, but the frauds
and abuses of this pension business are
notorious. The reckless and dishonest
pension legislation of the present ad-
ministration was second only to the
Mckinley bill, with it's threatened in
undation of English cheap labor, in
overthrowing the party at the polls.
The country has unequivocally con-
demned it, and if the people in power
are wise they will anticipate the in
coming administration by themselves
applying the aXe.-NeaO York Herald.
OHhlS. aLLbN A AND
SoLDIER.-The Port Republic cores
pendent of the Rockingham Register
says
cat the election just passed Henry
Raynes, aged SO years, voted the re-
publican ticket, and Christopher Mohr,
also SO, voted the democrtic ticket.
Chris. Allen voted the first time since
the war. The day of the election he
proclaimed his intention to vote for
Cleveland, whom he said would be
elected, and that it would snow on the
day following. Mr.. Allen proved to be
a prophet ON every score. Mr.. Allen
was Confederate soldier in the re-
serves. At the battle of Piedmont his
captain, Hon. Fl. b. Harnsberger, Or
dered retreat Mr.. Allen still con-
tinued his deliberate firing. Captain
Harnsberger rode up to him and said,
"Get up from there, Chris. and retreat
Don't you see we are whipped?" Mr.
Allen replied, what for? I've got
plenty ammunition left" He was one
man who didn't know when he was
whipped. Mr.. Harnsberger often
laughs now over Mr. Aliens wishing
to change the defeat into victory be-
cause he had "plenty of ammunition
left"