The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1893-07-05

show precisely what that result will be. If Con-
gress were to be called to meet within three or
four weeks. it would necessarily lack much in
formation upon this subject which by the middle
of September can easily be obtained informa-
ton. too. that is. in my opinion, absolutely es-
sential to intelligent and beneficial financial
legislation, and any other sort of legislation
would be worse than none"
Investigation has brought out the fact that
many men who are drawing disability pensions
are members of Soldiers Homes. without cost to
themselves. and are earning regular wages for
the per formance of manual labor. Further in
vestigation shows that. except in the cases of
those who draw pensions under the act of 1890,
nothing can be done to prevent a continuance of
this practice without new legislation. 1t is
evident that the whole system of pension laws, -
remarked Congressman who was himself a
Union soldier, are faulty and in need of o
thorough revision. but I have serious doubt as
to the courage of Congress to make that revision
Pensions have been used as capital so long by
demagogues. that the people at large will have
| to be educated on that subject before the pres.
sure on Congress becomes strong enough to COM
pei action. The preliminary steps in this edu.
cational work are being taken by the admins
trstion in its endeavors to clear the roll of illegal
pensioners Later the revision of the laws will
come. in answer to a public demand in which
thousands of old soldiers will join; indeed
many of them have already done SO. AS soon al
pensions are entirely divorced from partisan
politics justice will be done alike to the taxpay
er and the old soldier"
Among the fraudulent pensioners whose drop
ping was officially approved this week. wer,
eleven men shown by the records of the Wa
| nsna artment IN hava hean daaarkars and ara still
deserters at large-one man who was never il
the army at all. several women who continued
to draw widows pensions after they had marri &c
again. and one notorious prostitute" Surely.
such as these have no business on "a roll o
honor"
| President Cleveland was asked by the commit
tee in charge of the preparations for the cele
bration Of the centennial of the laying of tn,
U. S. Capitol building to deliver the principa
Grafton upon that occasion. but as the President
expects to have his hands full about the date o
the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. l8-he told the com
mittee that he could not comply with their re
quest. but would gladly make q short speech in
Producing the man they selected to deliver tn
| oration.
Today closes the fiscal year. and while tn
financial condition of the Government is not al
that could be asked for. it is very much bette
than there was any good reason six months ag
for expecting that it would be at this tins. L
fact. there were abundant reason six months ag
for the fear that. instead of the comfortable cas
balance of cash on hand. the administration
would have to begin the new year with defici
The date of President Cleveland's departure
still doubtful.owing to the pressure of importan
public business. Senator Camden wants him
join him in a fishing excursion in West Virgini
before he goes to Graz Gables. but it is not cel
tain that he will be able to do so.