The Mt. Sterling advocate., 1892-09-13
THE PENSION SCANDAL.

that more pensions were granted un-
der Cleveland than under any other
Administration.
This is one of the preposterous
"statements" that proceeds from igno-
rance, and can be accepted only by
men who will not keep informed con-
cerning the course of public events.
Next to his tariff message, the most
notable public service rendered by
Mr.. Cleveland was the veto of the
Dependent Pension bill. 1t was
courageous, patriotic and able mes
sage; it was message directed to the
intelligence Of the American people.
1t was protest against the looting of
the Treasury under the pretense of
patriotism.
Mr.. Cleveland well knew that it ar
rayed against him the organization
known as the Grand Army of the Re-
public, and there can be but little
doubt that it was one of the most
effective influences leading to his de-
feat in 1888. To-day, all over the
North, the political influence of the
Grand Army of the Republic is used
in behalf of Mr.. Harrison against Mr..
Cleveland. 1t is surprising, there
fore, to hear that in the State of Texas
people are listening to Third party
demagogues, who stop at no misrep-
resentation and hesitate at no SANDER.
Under the law of June 27, 1890,
nearly 100000 pensions were granted
in the year ending June 30, 1891.
The first year of Mr.. Cleveland's
Administration, 30, ,767 pensions were
granted.
The first year of Mr.. Harrison's Ad-
ministration, 5l,92l pensions were
granted.
The second year of Mr.. Cleveland's
Administration 40,S59 pensions were
granted.
The second year of Mr.. Harrison's
Administration 66,637 pensions were
granted.
The third year of Mr.. Cleveland's
Administration So, 5,194 pensions were
granted.
The third year of Mr.. Harrison's
Administration, 150, ,4S6 pensions were
granted.
During the four years, 1SS5-S6-S7-
SS, covering Cleveland's Administra-
ton, 192,070 pensions were granted.
The average during Mr.. Harrisons's
Administration will be over 100000,
OF more than double the average
during the Administration Of Mr..
Cleveland.
Under Mr.. Cleveland the Pension
Bureau was conducted in business
like manner; every applicant received
prompt justice under the law.
Mr. Harrison, when he became
President, appointed Corporal Tan
ner Commissioner Of Pensions, man
utterly unfit for the place, and in
structed him to "be generous with the
boys" Corporal Tanner began by
making laws for himself, He gave
everybody pension who asked for it.
The scandal, after a few mouths,
reached such proportions that Mr..
Harrison removed Tanner and put in
Commissioner Raum. Raum did not
improve matters at all. We do not
suppose that the President intended
to improve them. But Commissioner
Raum has more political sagacity than
Corporal Tanner, and has been able
to do much for the party without
making the Bureau SO ridiculous
though in the end he will certainly
make it more infamous.
The annual appropriations for pen.
sions alone will shortly reach $780,
100000. The proportion to be paid
by the Southern States will be from
$5O,O0O,GOO to $65,0OO'0OO, OF one.
fourth of the exported cotton must &C
to pay the Southern proportion of the
pension list.
There has never, in the history OF
any civilized nation, been Treasury
raid of such gigantic proportions, SC
thoroughly organized, so systematic.
ally carried on, so destructive to the
moral standards of the people, so pro.
ductive of idleness and vice as the pen.
sion scandal in the United States.
1t grows worse year by year. Nc
Republican President would dare tc
attempt to check it. Mr.. Harrison
signs every private pension bill pre-,
santpd IN him Mr. CLEVELAND exam-