The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-05-05
HEALTH orfEpEKAL VETERANS.

question Of national importance Is dis
cussed by Or. John S. Billings in an article
which he contributes to the last number Of
the Forum on the Health of the Survivors Of
the War. 1t is quite unnecessary to say that
the doctor confines himself to the Federal
soldiers. and it Is impossible not 10 recognize
that beneath all his scientific investigation Of
"A physical fact there turks an Interior purpose
in which no one is 80 much interested as the
Federal veteran who has not - been placed
upon the list Of pensioners.
Or. Billings declares that the average death
rate among the survivors of the war for the
last twenty years has been a little higher than
that of the average population Of males of
the same age" II this is So. then it would
never be discovered from the length Of the
rolls in the Pension Bureau at Washington.
So FAR from it being inferred from these rolls
that there has been a higher rate Of
mortality among the Federal veterans, il
would be concluded that they had found out
the secret Of prolonging existence indef-
nitely. The number Of pensioners has gone
or increasing so that one would be led TO be-
lieve that mono ever die. or if they DO die
that their bounties descend to their heirs in
the next generation.
The object which DR.. Billings and the class
which he represents have IN view is papable
1t is to find some plausible excuse for still
further enlarging the pension rolls. Not even
the Republican party has yet arrived at the
stage of audacity which would force upon the
taxpayers OF the United States the
additional burden OF furnishing a pension
10 every man who served in I Federal
armies 70 do so even aquarter OF a century
after the close Of the war would be to utterly
exhaust tie National Treasury with all its
resources under the operation Of the McKin-
ley tariff law.
But the Republicans are determined that
the length of the pension rolls shall continue
to increase. for in this way they are assured
OF maintaining their hold upon vast army Of
voters and political workers. How are they
10 do it, BY giving more generous inter
probation 10 the principles of the pension
system.
A law allowing pension 10 every man who
served in the army remains to be enacted
Itmust not be passed at once but the train
must be laid for its passage at no very distant
day i'm the future The article Of Dr. Bill
lings Is only one of the many small straws
which shows in which direction the Repub-
lican wind is blowing.
Prophecy is always more or less Gratgitous.
but this prediction may be safely yentured.
that in few years if the Republicans arc
permitted TO remain in control Of the Gov
eminent pension will be granted 10 every
man who wore the uniform of the Federal
troops during the war or TO the widow ard
children Of every such man. And if the Treas
ury cannot meet the drain upon its contents
which this stupendous charge will create.
new tariff law will be passed which will fur
Their enlarge the range Of tarif duties And
when every article that enters into the
economy Of American life has been taxed tue
next step will be to increase the size Of tho
duties which have already been imposed
Whether this frightiul evil shall become an
established fact will largely depend upon the
approaching presidential election.