The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-03-11
Our Pension System.
From phlladelphla e. Ledger.

From Philadelpnla lfs-l Ledger
In his letter of acceptance Mr.. Cleveland
said: "All patriotic and just citizens must
commend liberal consideration for our worthy
veteran soldiers, and for the families of those
who have died No complaint should be
made of the amount of public money paid to
those actually disabled or made dependent by
reason of army service. But our pension roll
should be "a roll of honor, uncontaminated
BY Ill desert and unvitiated by demagogic use.
To men Of fair. wise judgment that state
ment will unquestionably seem to embody all
the law and all the gospel of a just pension
SYSTEM In accordance with such equitable
principles the pension roll Of the most CRATE
full and generous country might be made
without eavil AS they are not only just, but
generous But the pension roll of this coun
try has not been based upon any such prin
ciples: much less has it been extended in ac
cordance with them. On the contrary, the
pension laws of the United States, instead Of
being "a roll of honor" are largely a record
of partisan bribery, or sequences OF the
rivalry of the Congressional leaders Of either
of the great parties to secure the soldiers
vote. Having the greater power, the Repub
licans were the more successful in adding the
names of multitudinons hests to the pens ion
lists, but the Democrats in Congress can
claim little credit for resisting the partisan
efforts of their political opponents, as they,
with rare exception, Joined in extending the
pension roll TO its present great length.
Among the illustrious Republican leaders
who vetoed improper pension bills were
Presidents Grant and Hayes, and, on the
Democratic side. President Cleveland stands
in the forefront of those who used the veto
power against vicious and degrading pension
legislation.
The official statement Of the Commissioner
of Pensions shows that, nearly 80 years after
the last shot of the war was fired, there were
on the rolls. on December 10. 1892, 800. SS5
pensioners and 1857 claimants awaiting
recognition. For the present fiscal year it is
estimated that not less than $3.50, 900 will
be required for the payment of pensions.
Year by year, although death is always busy
thinning the ranks Of the veterans who
fought their last battle not less than % years
ago, the list has been extended by new leg
isation. and the expenditures enormously
enlarged. The appropriations for pensions
for 1888 we're, in round numbers. Sl67 900,
900. sum large az il is, known by Congress
to be inadequate by from Sl0,000,000 TO
SIS, OO0, 900 to meet the exactions of the
Bureau. This is a larger expenditure. by
about $50, 100000, than is required, for
the current fiscal year, by the combined
Legislative. Excessive, State, War, Navy,
Interior mot inclusive Of pensions), Post
Office, Agricultural, Labor and Judicial De
partnents of the Government, and it is up
wards of ons third of the total amount ap-
propriated by the last Congress for the oper
atoms of the Government in all its parts, in
Guiding those of the Treasury Department,
which alone is omitted from the foregoing
list.
1t is a notorious fact that, especially since
the passage of tue Dependent Pension bill.
the pension roll is not in all cases one of
honor; that there are names upon 1t which
discredit it, and that there are the names of
many upon it which are there without proper
reason 1t TRANSFERRED during the closing
days of the Fifty second Congress, when the
enormous appropriation for pensions was be-
ing considered, that in one of the Federal
offices, within sight of the Capitol, there was
a pensioner who has for years drawn pen
sion by reason of alleged deafness, con-
irac;ed yhIe in the army, who is also draw
ing Il salary OF $500 a year as clerk who
serves as a telephone operator. The entire
list needs TO be purged, and that in the inter
est of the real heroes Of the war, as well as
in the interest of those who bear the great
burden of taxation which they are obliged to
carry in order to supply the revenue for the
Pension Office.
There are unmistakable indications that
the eouatry is becoming FESTIVE under the
many and great abuses of the present pension
system There is a very clear and general
demand that il shall be revised in accordance
with the principles laid down by Mr.. Cleve-
land in his letter of acceptance. This de-
mand will become clearer, louder and more
general under ever-increasing expenditures.
a large part of which go to reward not genu
inc patriotism, but sordid greed; not real he
roes, but mere mercenaries.