The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-08-26
THE MARCH TO THE GRAVE.

The record of Grover Cleveland in
vetoeing pensions for old soldiers, their
widows and dependents is in keeping
with the views of the Democratic party
on the pension question. Democrats
and Mugwumps are both opposed to the
war. 1t is understood that if Cleveland
be elected and the Democrats secure
control of both houses of Congress
direct proposal to curtail pensions and
prevent any further extension of the
pension list will be made. The onslaught
upon the Pension Office during this adj
ministration, while nominally directed
at the management of that Office, was, in
fact, an attempt to prejudice the public
mind against the payment of pensions to
veterans of the war. 1t is hardly likely
such scheme will be Endorsed by patri-
otto citizens, and it will certainly meet
the unqualified opposition of those who
shouldered muskets for the Union.
In a recent article the Press pointed
out that the census returns reveal that
the march to the grave of the mighty
host which took part in the war has be-
gun in earnest. An examination of the
recent report of Commissioner Raum
brings to light some additional facts
which contradict the predictions of the
soldier hating journals which are lead
ing the Democratic fight against
pensions. The total amount expended
in payment of pensions for the fiscal
year ended June Both, 1892, was, in round
figures, S139, 900; of this amount
676, 100 pensioners on the rolls on June
30th, 1901, received about $S7 ,000,O 900, and
the 224, 047 original cases allowed during
the fiscal year 1892 received about
$50. 100000. 1t should be remembered
that some of those original payments
aggregated several hundreds and some of
them several thousands of dollars. Next
year they will take their place with the
regular pensioners and average about
$136 for each person. To add this
$52, 900, 900 to the permanent pension roll
is a favorite method of Democratic
organs. Should the present admin
istration continue for two years all the
original payments will have been adj
iusted and the pension roll will have
reached its maximum amount, which
will not exceed at that time $175, DOC, 900,
about twenty-five millions more than
the annual interest charge on the public
debt when it reached its maximum.
From this time forward it will decrease,
for the march to the grave is certain and
rapid. Last wear, according to the Com
missioner of Pensions, 900 pensioners
were dropped from the rolls. Next year
he estimates that the last march will
swallow up no less than 10000, and the
following year not less than $4,000, with
no original claims to add. The roll
which now looks so formidable will
gradually melt away like the dying
strains of musical symphony. A few
more years will settle the pension
question, justly, fairly, honorably, to
those who freely gave their lives and
health that the Republic might live, and
in that Way the Republican party has
pledged itself to settle the question.
Too cowardly to openly attack the
pension roll, the Democratic platform
attacks the Pension Office. Section Is
demands that the work of the Pension
Office shall be done industriously, i'm
partially and honestly. Official dates
show that under Harrison's administra-
ton the Pension Office has been conduct
ed more industriously, more impartially,
more honestly and more economically
than under the administration of Cleve-
land. Here are the facts:
Three Three
Years OF Years of
Business Gone. Cleveland. Harrison.
Calls on War Department. S267 ,259 SS55e7l
ceived ~ .6s2 e9a 5,lo6, Sol
Pieces of mail matter sent. 5,45O,S25 9,9949i2
Certificates issued........ 334,4O7 7696O3
So much for the amount of business
done. Surely record of nearly double
the amount of work would indicate in
dustry. Now for the cost of doing it:
Three Three
Years of Years of
Cost of doing it. Cleveland. Harrison.
Amount expended in salar-
les, travelling expenses, -. A. ,,u--
etc. -. 20, lUS4lb Soifo'Ioo'
tificates, S. ..........e.... s24.24 s11,1O
Average cost of disbursing
one dollar ................ .UO35 'UOoS
Average cost of paying one
penslO1er... ......''.'..' VIZ S-lV O'+'12
The Press will challenge any soldier
hating Democratic organ to contradict
the above figures. The years chosen
are precisely the same-namely, the first
three years of the two administrations;
for Cleveland, March 1st, 1885 to June
Both, 1888; for Harrison, March, LIST, 1889,
to June Both, 1892. The parallel tables
speak alike for the efficient and honest
management of this great bureau. The
people of the country do not want plati-
tudes in platforms about the soldiers,
but they want pensions paid up honestly,
economically and quickly.
The Press says, pay the pensions
quickly and economically, for the vet
erans' march to the grave is rapid and
ceaseless, until the last one rests in his
windowless home.