The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1892-11-04
csvELAsD AND PENSIONS.

The crusade against Mr. Cleveland tt
prejudice soldiers against him because ol
his alleged opposition TO pensions, is mosl
unjust and most certainly brings discrediI
upon all who make the charge when the
facts are understood Mr. Cleveland signed
more pension bills than any other presi-
dent since or during the war. OF special
or private pension bills Lincoln signed Al,
johnson i3l, Grant 536, Hayes 324. Arthur
700, and Cleveland I,s25. President Har-
rison during the three years of his term
has not signed half as many private pen
sions as did Cleveland. Nor is Mr. Cleyo
lands approval of pensions confined to
private pensions. In 1887 he approved the
act increasing the pensions OF over l0,0O0
maimed veterans from s24 TO $50, from $50
to s''6, and from s37 80 to sl5 per month.
In the same year be signed a general bill
which increased tho pensions Of 5000
widows Of soldiers from . to $40 per month
and by the humane and extraordinary et-
forts os the democratic commissioner Of
pensions these extra pensions Of widows
were issued without any expense to the
claimants. lie also signed general law
amending the records of the war depart
ment as to the charge of desertion and re-
liesing thousands Of veterans who are en-
barrasscd in their applications by technical
errors Of the reeori. He also signed a gen.
cral act beneftting over 5000 survivors
and widows Of the Mexican var.
Mr Cleveland is aasaiIei because he vetoed
the dependent pension bill. but he simply
oteyed public sentimen, expressed with
great esesarness and emphasis against that
proaigs.e measure. Every republican news
paper Of prominence in Philaielphia de-
manded the veto Of that bill aud heartily
sustained tie president for doiag 50. The
Press, tie inquirer. the Telegraph. the
Bnile'in and the Ledger Of that city all
united in denouncirg the measure as a
reproaeh upon honest veterans, and a.
simply the creation Of pensisa sharks who
desired to plnnder the government in the
name Of patriotism: and not only did tia
united press Of this city demand the VETO
Of thai bill. bat the soldiers Of this city
who gave any expression on the subject.
declared against the approval 81 that meas
uFe- only two Army Posts Of this city
took formal and positive action on the
subject. and they declared j. to be the duty
os the pTesidens 10 vcto the bill in the in
teresss of the honest yeterIns Of the land.
President Cleveland has nsver shown sny
o;lser than The hearties: sympathy with the
honest soldiers of ;hs country. bat b. has
s;oca like rock against the abase Of cur
peasion syssssn fer the b@nest Of camp
followers and sknlke-s who dsnogalizel The
array in war and disgrace our soldiers in
peace. lie demands thai the pension roll
sl1all be "a roll of honor; that ii shaIibe held
exclusively for those who hare honestly and
haroieSlly served their country and deserve
It's fostering care All honest soldiers who
SzieEi' place uTon the pension roll he
heartily welcomes, bat be ia q terror 10
fraudulent soldiers as be Is 10 iobhers and
prosiigates and thieves az sTsEy class and
oondision, and under his administration 10
such can p'under ths Peopie of the nation.